Group and Team are terms used to describe collections of individuals, but they differ in purpose and dynamics. A Group is a collection of individuals who come together to share information, resources, or interests, often without a shared goal. A Team, however, is a group of people working collaboratively toward a common objective, with each member’s skills and roles contributing to the team’s success.

What is a Group?

A group consists of individuals who are assembled together either by necessity or design but without a collective goal that necessitates their interdependence. Members of a group perform their duties independently and are often not as interlinked in terms of project outcomes.

Examples of Groups:

1. A group of employees from various departments attending a company-wide meeting.
2. Students attending the same class without any collaborative projects.
3. Attendees at a conference.

What is a Team?

A team is a collection of individuals who are organized to work together interdependently and cooperatively to meet the needs of their customers by accomplishing a purpose and goals. Teams are characterized by more strategic assembly of complementary skills where members are committed to a common approach with shared goals.

Examples of Teams:

1. A project team developing a new software tool, with clear roles contributing to shared objectives.
2. A sports team working together with strategic plays to win championships.
3. A sales team collaborating to meet their quarterly targets.

Difference Between Group and Team

Basis	Group	Team
Definition	A collection of individuals with no interdependent goals.	A collection of individuals working interdependently towards a common goal.
Interdependence	Low or none. Members operate independently.	High. Members rely on each other to achieve the goal.
Focus	Individual accountability and roles.	Collective performance and outcomes.
Leadership	Often centered around a single leader.	Shared leadership roles; often democratic.
Outcome	Individual results; no collective work product.	Team achievements that are the sum of collective planning and effort.
Communication	Often formal and based on group norms.	Open and frequent to ensure alignment and coordination.
Examples	Employees grouped by department without crossover in tasks.	A marketing team collaborating on a campaign launch.