Small Group & Leadership Notes

Small Group Comm. To learn skills we need to cooperate in an interdependent society SHOULD be… About 3-10 people People who have a common goal/purpose A cooperative environment Should NOT be… A competitive environment Considered just a random bunch of people talking

Discussion Formats Discussion: A cooperative exchange of information, opinions, and ideas. One of the best methods for solving problems. Panel Discussion A group of experts having a discussion on a topic in front of an audience Symposium Each expert gets up and gives a short speech on the topic Town Hall Meeting Meeting where everybody has the right and opportunity to talk Deals with community related issues Forum- added to any of these and means that the audience will be able to ask questions

Work Groups Goal: Cohesion Type of Group How is a group formed? Working together; appropriate individual contributions to help reach the group goal, while maintaining professional relationships Respect, Share and Support Type of Group Additive: all do the same task and then combine results Conjunctive: all do different, but related, tasks… then bring together to accomplish a goal. How is a group formed? Emergent: naturally formed Contrived: members were grouped together purposefully

Group Member Dynamics Roles Personalities Leader Recorder Task/time Manager Supporter Spokesperson Competitor High energy, likes control Compromiser Meets in the middle Collaborator Idea person, indecisive Gives in “whatever you want”. No real opinions, will do what is told Avoider Skips, sleeps, doesn’t contribute

What is a leader? Somebody who guides or directs others towards a common goal. Not the same as a boss. Leaders should be concerned for their people but also be concerned with the work to be done. The trick is balancing the attention a leader should pay to each Leadership Styles Autocratic: high focus on work, lower focus on people Democratic: equal balance between work & people Free-reign: high focus on people, lower focus on work

Conflict How can conflict benefit a small group? Differences valued New ideas Ways to overcome conflict and avoid fighting: Active listening Reversing roles Avoid pushing buttons Be Open-minded, Tolerant, and Empathetic

6 Steps Decision Making Process Goal Criteria Standards or rules Collaborate/Brainstorm Evaluate Yes or No pile based on Criteria Discuss & Decide (Group Consensus) Vote (ballot, raise hands, verbal) Random Selection (many good ideas & all will work) Coin Toss (2 good ideas that will work) Implement (carry it out) If it’s said it is written down. NO DEBATE NO DEBATE DEFEND… Don’t ATTACK