Small Group Communication and Team Leadership Are five heads really better than one?

Why Work in Groups? evidence of increased creativity increased commitment to implementation recognition of the potential contributions of workers outside of management opportunities for anonymity relational benefits

What Happens When a Group is Too Large... formation of subgroups unequal participation, less per member increased likelihood of domination higher demands on the leader needs higher tolerance for group takeover of administrative tasks more trouble achieving consensus

Possible Disadvantages to Groups The potential for “social loafing” One person may dominate the discussion “I’d rather do it myself” syndrome Pressure to conform Risky shift phenomenon--possible explanations--no single person responsible, risky advocates more persuasive, our culture values risk taking

Definitions--Small Group Communication Gaut and Perrigo--” a collection of three or more individuals who interact with one another to achieve a common task or goal” questions--when is a group too big to be a small group….must the interaction be face to face?

Typologies of Groups in Organizations Learning Groups Self Maintenance Groups Problem Solving Groups Therapeutic Groups

Drucker’s Group Typology Work teams--like a baseball team--on not in a team Cross functional teams--like a football team--each with primary responsibilities but contingency recognized Self managed teams--like a doubles team in tennis--no leaders, fully interchangeable

Some Principles of Small Group Leadership Leadership is not always vested in the formal leader of a group Leadership is multi-dimensional task orientation socio-emotional orientation Leadership cannot always be compelled

3 Styles of Group Leadership--Autocratic Autocratic or Authoritarian Leadership Advantages--time, efficiency, large groups, simple tasks Disadvantages-low cohesion Communication behaviors controls discussion, low involvement, infrequent feedback, dominates interaction

3 Styles of Group Leadership--Democratic Democratic Leadership advantage--satisfaction, commitment, complicated tasks disadvantage--inefficient Communication behaviors mediates conflict, encourages participation, socio-emotional orientation

3 Styles of Group Leadership--Laissez-faire Laissez-faire Leadership advantage--utilizes the talents of the group disadvantage--potential for misdirection Communication behaviors--facilitates group activity but not discussion, poor feedback, provides info at the direction of the group

Types of Small Group Decisions Consensus Compromise Voting Railroading Coalitions/Handclasping