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Working in Groups

YouTube - Kung fu fighting- cee-lo green & jack black 2008.flv

Working in Groups

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Chapter 1 1. Introduction to Group Communication

Initial class meeting/ Warm Up 1.1 Succeeding in Groups 1.2 Defining Group Communication 1.3 The Nature of Group Communication 1.4 Types of Groups 1.5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups 1.6 The Guiding Principles of Group Work Activities and Group Discussion

Succeeding in Groups
New York Giants winning 2008 Super Bowl - The New England Patriots had super players, megastar quarterback, a legendary coach, and a perfect season

- Yet New York Giants won the game demonstrating the power of groups to engage the right combination of talent and willpower to overcome all odds.

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Succeeding in Groups

Nobel Chemistry Prize Winner Dr. Peter Agre at John Hopkins University: I didnt do this work! I made the coffee and sharpen the pencils. on the he discovery of aquaporins, highlighting the importance of team work.

Succeeding in Groups
Examples of organized groups or people working together to achieve shared goals: Study groups Research groups Management teams Volunteer groups

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Case Study
The Study Group Dilemma Q1: Should Grace join the study group or work on her won? What would she gain or lose by that decision? How can some of the dialectic tensions described in this chapter affect how well a study group achieves its goals? What communication strategies should a study group use to ensure that members are satisfied with the process and the outcome? Have you ever participated in a study group? If yes, why did it succeed or not succeed?

Successful Group Participation

Listen effectively Understand their roles within the group Actively contribute to group problem solving Ask clear questions to obtain information Establish a professional rapport with other members Communicate effectively with members from different cultures Convey a professional image non-verbally Resolve group conflict Demonstrate leadership

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Defining Group Communication

the interaction of three or more interdependent members working to achieve a common goal. Groups(teams) vary in their formality, structure, complexity, membership and titles. - group of friends organizing an annual party - corporate team organizing a stockholders meeting. - a football team - a group of family members A group consists of at least 3 members.

Three or more members

A third person can change a tie-vote into a two-to-one decision.

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Figure 1.1 Components of Group Communication

Members

Goals

Interaction

Group Communication

Working

Interdependence

Three or more members

Minimum 3 members, with no maximum numbers Ideal group size for problem solving 5-7 members Odd number is better than even numbers to enable majority voting and decision making As group grows larger, individual satisfaction and commitment to the group often decrease.

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Three or More Members

Groups less than 5 lacks resources and diversity of opinions for effective problem solving. Example: Small prayer groups of 5-7 members in evangelical mega-churches. Larger groups also has core members of 5-7 members who do more work and take on leadership functions.

Three or More Members

Groups larger than 15 members, lacks coordination and control, members may not know one another well, communication requires elaborate rules and procedures.

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Interaction
Requires verbal and nonverbal communication to generate meanings and establish relationships. Communication helps with sharing information and opinions, making decisions, solving problems, and develop interpersonal relationships The way in which group members communicate creates and reveals group dynamics. (appropriateness, which rules apply etc.)

Common Goal
Group members collective reason and goal defines and unifies the group. A goal is the purpose or objective toward which group work is directed. Goals are often assigned. (a semester-long marketing campaign assignment, assigned by a marketing instructor at a college). Some groups can establish their own goals. (A group of students may form a study group to prepare for English Language exams).

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Common Goal

Effective groups have a common goal and dedicate their efforts to accomplish that goal. The single factor that separates successful groups from unsuccessful ones, is having a clear goal because goals guide action, set standards for measuring success, provide a focus for resolving conflict and motivate members.

Interdependence

YouTube - 2 Goals in a 30 Seconds Amazing.flv

YouTube - 2 Goals in a 30 Seconds Amazing.flv

Each group member is affected and influenced by the actions of other members. A successful interdependent group functions as a cohesive team in which every member is responsible for doing his or her part. The failure of a single member can adversely affect the entire group. For groups to be successful members need to share information, give and receive advice, support , assistance and feedback from one another.

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Working
Work is the physical or mental effort used when trying to accomplish something.

This something can be a social goal-getting friends together for a surprise party-a family goaldeciding jointly to go on vacation-a work team goal-planning training sessions for improving patient care-management goal-developing a strategic plan for their organization.

The Nature of Group Communication

Perspectives: - the basic
process of human communication - a system approach to understanding groups

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The Group Communication Process

Central to group communication is interaction. (members communicate as they work together toward achieving a common goal.) Communication is complex between two people but it gets even more complicated when more people are involved.

Figure 1.2 The Group Communication Process

Member#2

Channels

Member#3

Channels
Message/ Feedback

Channels Member#4

Member#1

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The Communication Process

Members:
individuals belonging to the group members bring distinctive skills, knowledge, experiences, personality traits, cultural backgrounds, a points of view to a group.

Messages:
ideas, information, opinions and or feelings that generate meaning , example: communicating the success of group members on an excellent job done.

Channels:
the media through which group members share messages: hearing, seeing, touching, smelling and tasting. Example; sending an email or bringing cookies or fruit to praise members.

Feedback:
the response or reaction to a message. By recognizing and adapting to feedback, you can assess how well others receive and interpret your messages.

The Communication Process

Feedback: - Verbal or non-verbal response., smile, nod, look attentive when they speak. Thanks; Im pretty proud of the way we pulled together on this project. Context: physical and psychological environment in which a group communicates. It includes type and size of groups purpose and history, the physical setting, the groups role and status in organization, and the characteristics of and relationships among group members. Study group meeting in a cafeteria vs. well-established corporate marketing team holding a videoconference with international clients. Noise: anything that interferes with or inhibits communication. Noise can be external, such as loud people in the hallway, or a member walking late into a meeting, but also it can be internal and psychological> Biases, thoughts, fatigue, and hunger all affect how well you express your thoughts or interpret the messages of other members.

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Theory in Groups
System Theory(System Perspective) is a group of theories that examine how interdependent factors affect one another. Communication does not take place in isolation, but rather necessitates a communication system. Common characteristics include: Systems function in a particular environment in which they receive input and produce output. System components are interdependent. The contamination of one cell leads to the contamination of many cells. Systems have a purpose or goal. The digestive system converts food into fuel for the body. Systems are unpredictable. There are multiple ways of achieving the same goal in most systems. When a company is losing money, there are many options of solving the problem. Systems try to maintain a balance in their environment. When an ecosystem is invaded by unwelcome intruders, native organisms may defend their territory or move to a less hostile environment in order to restore equilibrium and harmony.

Groups as Systems
Groups are complex systems. The actions of individual members affect everyone in the group as well as the outcome of the groups efforts. Example: Pho Bo. In groups people are the major ingredients: in the right combination, they can produce a highly productive and satisfying experience. System theory tells us a great deal about the nature of groups and helps prepare us for the unpredictable tensions that characterize the work of a group and its members. It also helps us understand the behaviour of groups and their members: Groups as systems are part of a larger system. Group of students in a class are part of that class and the class is part of a year and the whole school system, which is part of the Education System and the whole national system.

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Groups in Balance

Create Synergy:
When three or more interdependent interact or work toward a common goal, they have the potential to create a synergistic system. Synergy is a term that describes the cooperative interaction of several factors that results in a combined effort greater than the total of all individual contributions. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The root of the word synergy comes from the Greek word meaning synergos meaning working together. Effective groups are synergistic. Companies whose executives earn modest salaries have surpassed companies in which the CEOs are paid millions of dollars. Ordinary groups have achieved extraordinary results.

Types of Groups
8 Categories of groups: Primary groups Social Groups Self-help groups Learning groups Service groups Civic groups Public groups

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Work Groups
Responsible for achieving specific tasks or performing routine duties in behalf of a company, organization, association, agency or institution. People at work may belong to several work groups such as committees and work teams.

Public Groups
Interacts in front of or for the benefit of the public. Involves in information sharing, decision making, or problem solving as well as concerned with making a positive impression on a public audience.

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Table 1.1 Basic Types of Groups

Type of Group Overall Purpose Examples Primary Group To provide members with affection, support, and a sense of belonging and confidence To share common interests in a friendly setting or participate in social activities To offer support and encouragement to members who want or need help with personal problems To help members develop knowledge and gain skills To support worthy causes that help people outside the group To support worthy causes that help people within the group To achieve specific tasks and routine duties on behalf of a business or organization To discuss important issues in front of or for the benefit of the public or key decision makers Families, best friends

Social Group

Athletic team, hobby groups, sororities and fraternities, peer groups Therapy groups and programs such as Weight Watchers, Alcoholic Anonymous, Parents without Parents Classmates, study groups, book discussion groups, professional workshops, health and fitness classes Charitable foundations

Self-Help Group

Learning Group

Service Group

Civic Group

PTA, labour unions, veteran groups, neighbourhood can community associations Committees, task forces, work teams, management teams Public panel discussions, symposiums, forums and governance groups

Work Group

Public Group

Table 1.2 Types of Work Groups

Committees are given specific assignment by a larger group or by person in a position of authority are most common in the work environment are often used by service groups to accomplish specific tasks Examples: An ad hoc committee could plan a high school reunion, organize a fund-raising campaign for a charity, or promote community cleanup for a neighbourhood.

Ad-Hoc Committee Forms for a specific purpose and disbands once it has completed its assignment or task

Examples: ongoing business social committees, membership committees, and finance committees.

Task Force Remains active in order to accomplish an ongoing task

Work Teams are given full responsibility and resources for their performance are relatively permanent groups do not take time from work to meet-they unite to work

Examples: A government task force could examine health-care system or analyze the decline in a school systems test scores.
Examples: A health-care team attends to a specific patient or group of patients. A research team takes on a specific research project. A legal team forms and works to defend or prosecute a specific case.

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Table1.3 Types of Public Groups

Panel Discussions involve several people who interact with one another on a common topic for the benefit of an audience usually feature a moderator who tries to control the flow of communication are designed to educate, influence, or entertain an audience Examples: Panel discussions are very common on television shows such as Oprah. Some presents bizarre discussions, while more serious discussions are moderated on Sunday political shows and business programmes such as Wall Street Week or Face the Nation. require each group member to present a short, uninterrupted speech on different aspects of a topic for the benefit of an audience are unique because group members give speeches to an audience rather than interact with other group members. Examples: A local PTA may sponsor a drug symposium in which a psychologist, a physician, a police officer and a former drug addict are given uninterrupted time to inform parents about the drug problem and recommend strategies for prevention and treatment provide an opportunity for audience members to comment, express concerns, or ask questions need a strong moderator to make sure that audience members have an equal opportunity to speak Examples: Employees may ask questions after listening to a managers plan for cutting expenses, Citizens may comment and ask candidates or elected officials for town meeting make public policy decisions in public settings Examples: State legislatures, city and county councils, and the governing boards of public agencies and educational institutions must conduct their meetings in public. The U.S. Congress cannot deny the public access to congressional debates.

Symposiums

Forums

Governance Groups

Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups

Advantages Superior Performance More learning Enhanced Cultural Understanding Disadvantages More time, Energy and Resources Conflict People Problems

More Creativity
Greater Civil Engagement

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Balance: The Guiding Principle of Group Work

Balance describes a state of equilibrium in which no significant factor dominates or interferes with other factors. In group communication, the groups common goal is the point on which members balance many factors such as the groups task and social functions, individual and group needs, and the responsibilities of leadership and followership. Achieving balance requires an understanding of the interplay of the contradictory forces that operate in all groups.

Groups in Balance: Link Theories, Methods and Tools

A theory is a statement that tries to explain or predict events and behaviour. Group communication theories help us understand what is occurring in a group and why a group succeeds or fails. A method is a strategy, guideline, procedure, or a technique dealing with the issues and problems that arise in groups. Effective methods are based on theories. Without theories, you wont know why a particular method works in one situation and fails in another. A tool in the context of group work is a resource and skill that helps a group carry out or achieve its common goal. Communication skills are the most important tools available to group members. Like methods, tools are most effective when their use is based on theories.

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Group Dialectics
The contradictory tensions groups experience as they work toward a common goal. Effective groups engage in a cooperative effort balance group dialectics through effective group communication strategies. Successful groups and group members balance dialectic tensions by using both/and approach. For example in some groups you may both enjoy a warm friendships with some members and effectively cope with some members who are difficult.

Table 1.4 Group Dialectics

Group Dialectics
Individual Goals Group Goals

Balancing Group Dialectics

Members personal goals are balanced with the groups common goal. The value of constructive conflict is balanced with the need for unity and cohesiveness A commitment to group norms and standards is balanced with a willingness to differ and change The responsibility and motivation to complete tasks are balanced with promoting member relationships Member similarities are balanced with member differences in skills, roles, personal characteristics, and cultural perspectives Effective and ethical leadership is balanced with committed and responsible followership The need for structured procedures is balanced with the need to innovative and creative thinking

Conflict Cohesion Conforming Nonconforming Task Dimensions Social Dimensions Homogenous Heterogeneous

Leadership Followership Structure Spontaneity

Engaged Disengaged
Open System Closed System

Member energy and labour are balanced with the groups need for rest and renewal
External support and recognition are balanced with internal group solidarity and rewards

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Theory in Groups
Relational Dialectics Theory:
Leslie Baxter and Barbara Montgomery claims that relationships are characterized by ongoing, dialectic tensions between multiple contradictions, complexities and changes in human experiences. Opposites attract but Birds f a feather flock together. Twos a company; three is a crowd but The more, the merrier. Relational Dialectics Theory takes both/and approach instead of either/or response. There are several ways to resolve relational dialectic tensions: You can choose one option in different situations and at different points in time. Example: Normally, group meetings follow a highly structured agenda. Because group members are having difficulty coming up with a good solution to a problem, they decide to set aside the agenda for thirty minutes so they can do some unstructured brainstorming. You can choose different options for different psychological contexts. Example: Joe goes with the flow and adheres to group norms about keeping conflict under control, but when one member personally embarrasses another, he feels compelled to speak out against this behaviour in front of the entire group. You can choose one option and ignore the other. Example: Even though a group knows that two absent members would vote against a potential decision theyre discussing, they go ahead and make the decision anyway. (The least effective way to resolve relational dialectics as one has to give up or lose one option over another. Engaging both options to some degree is a better way.)

Groups in Balance: Empower Members

Use both/and language Enable members to make and own their individual or group goal.
Characteristics: Potency, Meaningfulness, Autonomy, Impact

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Ethics in Groups
The National Communication Association Credo for Ethical Communication Advocate truthfulness, accuracy, honesty and reason for integrity of communication Freedom of expression, diversity of perspective, and tolerance of dissent for informed decision making Understand and respect communicators before evaluating and responding to their messages Promotes access to communication resources and opportunities

Ethics in Groups
Promote communication climates of caring and mutual understanding Condemn degrading communication Commitment to Expression of personal conviction Sharing of information, opinions and feelings.

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