Manage group dynamics

Group dynamics are essential for the successful completion of your teamwork assessment. Group dynamics refer to how people behave in a group, and how they adhere to the ‘norms’ that are considered acceptable standards of conduct within the group.

A team with positive group dynamics is one where team members feel safe, satisfied, respected and understood. A positive group dynamic promotes creativity and productivity, leading to the successful completion of the assessment task.

However, a negative group dynamic can be disruptive for your task outcomes, and are often connected to miscommunication and a sense of distrust among team members.

Understanding group dynamics in teams

Many variables contribute to a positive group dynamic. To create a positive group dynamic, you need to firstly understand what roles and behaviours are connected to positive and negative group dynamics.

Diversity and inclusion in teams

You’ll find great diversity while studying at university. Diversity exists across many dimensions: educational, cultural and linguistic background, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, age, ability or disability and so on. All of these aspects influence how people communicate with each other.

Being inclusive is key to ensuring a supportive environment for all team members. This involves acknowledging and valuing the diverse backgrounds and experiences of all team members.

Here are six principles to help you and your team keep an inclusive and positive group environment:

Watch the video below for a demonstration of how to apply these principles during teamwork to foster diversity and inclusion. This video was produced in partnership with Monash University students.

Providing feedback

Providing and receiving feedback are essential skills to creating a supportive group dynamic and achieving your group’s goals. Here are some recommendations to guide how you and your team-mates can provide constructive feedback to each other:

Watch the video below for a demonstration of how to use these communication approaches in practice. This video was produced in partnership with Monash University students.