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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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