2. Preview Of Things To Come
What Is A Group?
What Are Some
Characteristics of an
Effective Group?
What Are Advantages &
Disadvantages of Group
Problem-Solving?
3. Preview Of Things To Come
Three Methods for
Decision-Making
Three Different Types Of
Leadership
A Framework For Team
Decision-Making
4. Small Group Communication
What Is A Group?
A collection of people
with a common goal,
or, a common thread
of interest
Commonly referred
to as “teams” in
the workplace
5. Small Group Communication
What Is A Group?
A collective entity
usually 3-9 members
Interaction between
members
Interdependence
6. Small Group Communication
The Characteristics of An Effective Group
Clear Purpose
The vision, mission, goal, or task of the group are defined
by the group.
Climate
The group climate is informal, comfortable, and relaxed
There are no obvious tensions or signs of boredom
Participation
There is much discussion, and everyone is encouraged to
participate.
7. Small Group Communication
The Characteristics of An Effective Group
Listening
Members use effective listening techniques such as
questioning, paraphrasing, and summarizing so that
everyone’s point of view is considered.
Healthy Conflict
Conflict between group members is a normal and sometimes
necessary component of group work.
Group members should not try to avoid, smooth over, or
suppress conflict.
Rather opposing views should be analyzed and considered
when coming to a group decision.
8. Small Group Communication
The Characteristics of An Effective Group
Open Communication
Members are free to express their views and ideas about the
group’s tasks and processes
Members have few hidden agendas
Clear Roles and Assignments
There are clear expectations about group member’s roles
Clear assignments are made, accepted, and carried out.
Work is fairly distributed among team members.
External Resources
The team utilizes key outside relationships with important
individuals and groups within their larger organization
9. Small Group Communication
The Characteristics of An
Effective Group
Functional Diversity
The group is composed of
members who vary in their
related knowledge, skills, and
abilities.
Self Assessment
The group takes time to
examine how well it is
functioning and ways to improve
its effectiveness.
10. Types of Small Groups
Task-oriented
Relationship-oriented
Assigned
Emergent
10
11. Small Group Communication
ADVANTAGES OF SMALL-GROUP DECISION-MAKING
ADVANTAGES OF SMALL-GROUP DECISION-MAKING
Different views from
different people
Increases individual
motivation
It’s easier to identify
mistakes
Team Decisions are
better received by
others
Group Work is more
pleasant and fulfilling
for most members
12. Small Group Communication
DISADVANTAGES OF SMALL-GROUP DECISION-MAKING
Members can get slack
Personal agendas may
conflict with group
goals
Aggressive members
can dominate
Status problems?
Members could be
uncompromising
GroupThink can
override common
sense
Takes longer to
reach a decision
13. Small Group Communciation
What is Groupthink?
Groupthink is a mode of thought whereby individuals
intentionally conform to what they perceive to the
consensus of the group.
Groupthink may cause the group (typically a team,
committee or large organization) to make bad or irrational
decisions which each member might individually consider
to be unwise.
14. Small Group Communication
Methods of Decision-making
Unanimous
Nearly impossible to get all to
agree entirely
Majority Rules
Ignores the minority
Creates resentment
Competitive mindset
Consensus
seeks mutual consent
“What Will Work Best For Everybody”
Co-Operative Mindset
16. Small Group Communication
Task roles
Initiating
Information seeking
Opinion seeking
Information giving
Opinion giving
Maintenance roles
Encouraging
Gatekeeping
Harmonizing
Compromising
Standard setting
17. Small Group Communication
Self-Serving Roles
Blocking
Aggression
Recognition seeking
Withdrawing
Dominating
Joking
Self-confessing
Help seeking
18. Small Group Communication
Leadership Styles
Autocratic
“My way or the highway”
Laissez-Faire
“You’re on your own”
Democratic
“What Does Everyone
Think?”
19. Small Group Communication
A conflict can be destructive if all the
participants are dissatisfied and believe
they have lost something.
Conflict not always a negative force
Clarifies differences
Identifies flaws
When a conflict is handled constructively,
no one loses and every wins.
20. Small Group Communication
Resolving Group Conflicts
Competitive vs. Cooperative Mindset
Competitive Mindset
perceives a conflict in all-or-nothing terms
Tends to be aggressive if not dominating
Cooperative Mindset
perceives a conflict as an opportunity to resolve
problems
seeks a resolution that satisfies the needs of all parties
involved in the conflict
21. Small Group Communication
Reflective-Thinking Method
1) What’s the problem?
2) What are the facts of the situation?
3) What criteria should a solution meet?
4) What are some possible solutions?
BRAINSTORMING
5) What is the best solution?
6) How can we implement the solution?
22. Small Group Communication
What’s A Group?
The Characteristics of an
Effective Group
Group Problem-Solving
Advantages
Groupthink
Methods of DecisionMaking
Unanimous
Majority Rules
Consensus
Laissez-Faire
Autocratic
Disadvantages
Styles of Leadership
Democratic
Conflict Resolution
Competitive Mindset
Cooperative Mindset
Reflective-Thinking
Method