SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION

Grace Geng

Tom Kwasa

Alex Halvaty

Tao Ji

Team For

OUTLINESSmall-Group

Communication and Problem Solving

Definition of a small Group

Use and Value of Teams in the Effective

Organization

Characteristics of Effective Problem-

Solving Teams

The Basic Problem-Solving Procedure

Selecting The Group Format

Participation and Leadership in Teams

Effective Team Participants Have Good

Communication Skills

Effective Team Participants Perform Needed Task and

Maintenance Roles

Effective Team Leadership

Leader Responsibilities

SMALLGROUP COMMUNICATION ANDPROBLEM SOLUTION

DEFINITION OF A SMALL GROUP

Small Grou

p

A small number of

people

Face-to-face interaction

Actively working together toward a

common goal

USE AND VALUE OF TEAMS IN THE EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION

• Seek or Share InformationLearningg Group

• Seek to inspire desirable attitudes, understanding, and communication patterns rather than merely to inform

Self-maintenance

Groups

• a series of decisions in an attempt to solve a particular problem

Problem-solving Groups

CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING TEAMS

Well organized

Receive periodic training

Examine assumptions and opinions

Evaluate possible solutions

Avoid groupthink

Manage cultural diversity

Operate virtually

EFFECTIVE TEAMS ARE WELL ORGANIZED

Groups follow an organized procedure are more productive

Avoid sloppy thinking

Fewer problems and negative behavior

Hand conflicts better

Build on strengths of members

Feel more empowered

EFFECTIVE TEAMS RECEIVE PERIODIC TRAINING

Group productivity

Group training

Training can dispel a variety of prejudices people have about teams.

EFFECTIVE TEAMS EVALUATE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Compare the solution to predetermined criteria Example: select employee

Supervisor receive at least one letter of recommendation from satisfied

customer

At least an increase of 20% in sales over the previous month

Employee should be liked by fellow workers

EFFECTIVE TEAMS MANAGE CULTURAL DIVERSITY Not all cultures view or

solve problems in the same way.

U.S.

Expect problems to occur and are quick to identify them when they do. Great value on speed and decisiveness.

Asian countries

Take longer to identify problems. Evaluate all alternatives, base decision on tradition and past experience

MANAGE CULTURAL DIVERSITY CONT.

• Recognize differences• Elect members for their task-related

abilities• Find a purpose, vision, or

superordinate goal • Avoid cultural dominance• Develop mutual respect for each

other• Seek a high level of feedback

Recommendations:

EFFECTIVE TEAMS OPERATE VIRTUALLY

Face to face meetings

Computer-mediated communication (CMC)

THE BASIC PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCEDURE

a

• List possible alternatives• List as many as time/resources allow, use

brainstorming and NGT (silent vote)

b

• Evaluate each alternative• Eliminate bad, combine similar, eliminate those not

meeting all “need” criteria, rank remaining against “wants”

c

• Select best alternative and discuss implementation

• Best solution=highest totals, tie breakers

SELECTING THE GROUP FORMAT

Roundtables (most common)Small group discussion, in private, using problem solving

PanelSmall panel of well informed ind.discussing in front of a group

SymposiumSmall group of experts, formal, often to educate public

ForumAudience participation following panel or symposium

HAVE A BREAK

PARTICIPATIONANDLEADERSHIPINTEAMS

EFFECTIVE TEAM PARTICIPANTS HAVE GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Active Listening: Receives, interprets,

checks, repeat

Open-mindedness Reach a decision that

benefits group as a whole

EFFECTIVE TEAM PARTICIPANTS HAVE GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Effective Personality Types (big five) Extroversion Agreeableness Conscientiousness Emotional Stability Openness to Experience

EFFECTIVE TEAM PARTICIPANTS PERFORM NEEDED TASK AND MAINTENANCE ROLES

Task and Maintenance

Roles

Handling Dysfunctional

Behaviors

GROUP TASK ROLESa) Initiateb) Give informationc) Seek informationd) Give Opinionse) Seek Opinionsf) Elaborate on ideasg) Energize the grouph) Review and

summarize the discussions

i) Record group suggestions

GROUP MAINTENANCE ROLES

1. Encourage

2. Harmonize

3. Relieve tension

4. Gatekeep

DYSFUNCTIONAL BEHAVIORS

Blocking Aggression Story Telling Recognition Seeking Dominating Confessing Special Interest

Pleading Distracting Withdrawing

HANDLING DYSFUNCTIONAL BEHAVIORS

Plan your opening remarks carefully.

Position the person next to a leader

Avoid direct eye contact.

Assign specific tasks to dysfunctional members

Ask members to speak in a specific order.

Break in at break time

Position talkative member between 2 quiet members

Encourage withdrawers

Give praise and encouragement

EFFECTIVE TEAM LEADERSHIP Behavior Theories:1. Trait2. Two-dimension3. Function4. Three-dimension

Situational Theories:1. Situational Contingency2. Path-Goal

Recent Theories:1. Normative decision2. Transformational

LEADER RESPONSIBILITIESFace-To-Face Meetings

a) Inform about meeting location.b) Select a meeting place conducive to

effective discussion.c) Check the facilities prior to meetingd) Welcome attendantse) Start and end on time.f) Preview and stick to the agenda.g) Keep minutes (recorder or

secretary)h) Ask questionsi) Listen carefullyj) Summarizek) See to tasks and maintenancel) Thank participantsm) Inform stakeholders.

LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES

Virtual Meetings

a) Select team members

carefully

b) Avoid micro management

c) Provide detailed training

d) Encourage regular and

extensive communications.

CONCLUSION

What is a small group? What are the

advantages of teams, and why? How does

one solve problems in small group?

How do you make team participants

effective? How to be an effective team

leader?

QUESTIONS

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!----GRACE GENG, TOM KWASA, ALEX HALVATY, TAO JI

Team For