Groups as Systems

Dimensions of Groups

• Tasks: work performed
• Social: relationships formed

Tasks

Social Relationships

"A system is an interconnected set of elements coherently organized in a way that achieves something."
— Donella Meadows

Untitled Slide

• Elements
• Interconnections
• Functions

Elements

• players
• coach
• field
• ball

interconnections

• rules
• plays
• player's signals
• laws of physics

Function

• to win games
• have fun
• get exercise
• scholarships

A system is more than the sum of its parts
. . . look for the interconnections

Every element affects the whole . . .

every group is a system . . .

each member matters . . .

each member affects the group

be the kind of member
you would like to lead

be the kind of leader
you would like to follow

learn up!