Chapter Twenty-Seven Communicating in Groups

Chapter Twenty-Seven Table of Contents zBecoming an Effective Group Participant zLeading a Group zMaking Decisions in Groups zMaking Presentations in Groups*

Communicating in Groups zA small group setting is, unlike a large public audience, usually limited to between three and twenty people. zSmall group presentations are a form of presentational speaking (reports delivered by individuals or groups within a business or professional environment).*

Becoming an Effective Group Participant zClear communication is vital to working cooperatively in groups. zListening is key, as is critically evaluating information.*

Becoming an Effective Group Participant zFocusing on the Group’s Goals zAssuming Roles within the Group zUsing Productive Conflict to Focus on the Issues zAvoiding Groupthink*

Becoming an Effective Group Participant: Focusing on the Group’s Goals zWhile it may sometimes be easy to go along with the majority or become overly emotional, you will be less likely to be diverted from your responsibilities as a participant if you use your group’s goals as a guide.*

Becoming an Effective Group Participant: Assuming Roles Within the Group zTask roles yGroup members’ roles related directly to the accomplishment of the objectives and mission of the group xInformation giver xInformation seeker xElaborator xInitiator*

Becoming an Effective Group Participant: Assuming Roles Within the Group zInterpersonal roles yStyles of interacting in the group, relational roles that facilitate group interaction xHarmonizer xGatekeeper xSensor*

Becoming an Effective Group Participant: Assuming Group Roles zCounterproductive roles yNegative interpersonal roles which focus solely on individual needs, and are usually irrelevant to the task. xBlocker xAvoider xRecognition seeker xDistractor xDominator*

Becoming an Effective Group Participant: Using Productive Conflict to Focus on the Issues zProductive conflict is issue-based rather than personal-based. zPersonal-based conflict yConflict in which group members argue about each other rather than with each other zIssues-based conflict yProductive conflict in which group members test and debate ideas and potential solutions*

Becoming an Effective Group Participant: Avoiding Groupthink zGroupthink is the tendency of group participants to accept information and ideas without critically analyzing it to avoid possible conflict.*

Leading a Group zCapable leadership is critical to the success of any group. zOne of the primary responsibilities of the leader is to set goals and encourage active participation.*

Leading a Group zSetting Goals zEncouraging Active Participation*

Leading a Group: Setting Goals zEach member of a group should be able to clearly identify the purpose of the group and its goals. zThe group leader should set the goals and ensure they are reached.*

Leading a Group: Setting Goals zGuidelines for setting group goals: yIdentify the problem. yMap out a strategy. ySet a performance goal. yIdentify the resources necessary to achieve the goal. yRecognize contingencies that may arise. yObtain feedback.*

Leading a Group: Encourage Active Participation zGroup members may not want to participate for the following reasons: yApprehension yLack of self-esteem yDominance yStatus differences*

Making Decisions in Groups zEffective groups engage in a deliberate process resulting in decisions that all participants understand and to which they are committed.*

Making Decisions in Groups zGroup decision-making is best accomplished through a six-step process based on the work of John Dewey: yIdentifying the problem yConducting research and analysis yEstablishing guidelines and criteria yGenerating solutions ySelecting the best solution yEvaluating the chosen solution*

Making Decisions in Groups: Identifying the Problem zAll members of the group must make sure that they agree on the issue or problem at hand. zEach participant should share his or her perception of the problem with the group and briefly state what he or she thinks about it.*

Making Decisions in Groups: Conducting Research and Analysis zThe group may need to research an issue for several reasons: yTo close gaps in information necessary to analyze the problem properly. yTo clarify or resolve two or more inconsistent views or positions expressed by participants. yTo investigate past solutions to similar problems.*

Making Decisions in Groups: Establishing Guidelines and Criteria zGroup participants should establish criteria by which any solution they propose will be judged. zEstablishing guidelines and criteria is an interactive process that should end in consensus.*

Making Decisions in Groups: Generating Solutions zThis step involves a brainstorming session in which members contribute as many desirable solutions as they can think of. zNo debate and discussion of the merits of the proposal should occur during this stage of the decision-making process.*

Making Decisions in Groups: Selecting the Best Solution zOnce potential solutions have been generated, the group can begin to weigh the relative merits of each against the criteria agreed on earlier. zOnce the group has arrived at a short list of alternatives, they must select one alternative that can best fulfill their needs.*

Making Decisions in Groups: Evaluating the Solution zPart of evaluating the solution involves re- evaluating the criteria and guidelines against which the solution was measured: yWere the criteria useful and appropriate? yHow strictly were the criteria used? yDoes the solution resemble the criteria that were developed? yWhat other criteria would have been helpful? yDoes the solution have any weaknesses?*

Making Presentations in Groups zWhile group presentations are in some ways similar to presentations done individually, in a group presentation some or all of the members divide the tasks that would ordinarily be done by one person.*

Making Presentations in Groups zAssigning Tasks zEnsuring Consistency of Delivery*

Making Presentations in Groups: Assigning Tasks zTogether with the group leader, members must decide who will do which tasks.*

Making Presentations in Groups: Ensuring Consistency of Delivery zEach group member should practice delivery to avoid inconsistencies of style within the group.*