ABSTRACT
A social identity approach offers an insightful analysis into the ways that an individual’s psychology both structures and is structured by group dynamics. There are a number of useful measurement tools/questionnaires with sound psychometric properties available to assess various aspects of group dynamics. Cohesive teams are able to ignore distractions and avoid disruptions while staying firmly focused on their group goal. Team-building research focuses on evaluating how groups/teams can effectively harness the individual abilities of their members for consistent group/team performance. The New Zealand ‘All Blacks’ rugby team has been one of the most successful teams in world sport for more than 100 years. The senior management team represent, in essence, a group of leaders of different aspects of the company’s business. The highly visible and public nature of performance outcomes, together with the consequences of success and failure for individuals, mean that intense stress and emotions are significant factors in both sport and business.
