The Benefits Of A Well-Functioning Team
A sense of belonging and attachment to a group of co-workers is a better motivator for some employees than money, according to a new study by University of Iowa researchers. From ScienceDaily:
“‘We found that teams exhibit increased performance when they are highly cohesive,’ says Greg Stewart, a professor of management at UI’s College of Business. ‘Peer pressure is a strong motivating force, and workers’ willingness to please people who mean something to them is often a stronger motivating force than financial rewards.’
The study also found that good teams need less guidance from managers:
“‘In high functioning teams, the group takes over most of the management function themselves,’ says Stephen Courtright, an assistant professor at Texas A&M University who was also involved in the study. ‘They work with each other, they encourage and support each other, and they coordinate with outside teams. They collectively perform the role of a good manager.’” Read more here.
This study is an important reminder that humans are social creatures who feel a powerful urge to be a member in good standing of a group. That urge can be even stronger than the desire for material rewards, and it can productively orchestrate the efforts of the group so that it gets the job done effectively without the need for much external oversight or direction. Have you ever been part of such a well-functioning group?