4.19: The Problem of Groupwork

Groupwork. Is it a solution? Or a whole new problem? If you’re like many students, you may groan and roll your eyes when professors assign group work activities. So why do courses require it?

Virtually every job posting lists teamwork among its required skills. This is because every employer’s organizational success depends on people working well together to get the job done. As Sommers & Dineen (1984) write, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” (p. 158). When it comes to getting the job done, teamwork is much more of a solution than a problem.

That being said, teamwork is not without its challenges. Coordinating different schedules and due dates is often a challenge. Complications also arise when group members feel pressured to follow a plan that they don’t understand or support. Surprisingly, sometimes the real challenge is that everyone is getting along too well. Whether teamed up with friends or strangers, you might be at risk of groupthink. Groupthink occurs when everyone agrees with everyone else because it feels easier than speaking up and sounding disagreeable or difficult. It does feel good when everyone gets along, but groupthink can block your awareness of very real problems that can sink a project.

It might feel overly formal to decide on roles and responsibilities or to write down expectations in a contract, but clear communication can protect a project when disagreement does happen. In fact, if everyone commits to shared expectations early in the process, later disagreement can be a constructive way of ensuring that multiple perspectives are considered and the best possible outcome is achieved.