Download Small Group Communication

Small Group
Communication and
Team Leadership
Are five heads really better
than one?
Why Work in Groups?
evidence of increased creativity
 increased commitment to implementation
 recognition of the potential contributions of
workers outside of management
 opportunities for anonymity
 relational benefits

Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, ' 07
What Happens When a Group
is Too Large...
formation of subgroups
 unequal participation, less per member
 increased likelihood of domination
 higher demands on the leader
 needs higher tolerance for group takeover
of administrative tasks
 more trouble achieving consensus

Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, ' 07
Possible Disadvantages to Groups
The potential for “social loafing”
 One person may dominate the discussion
 “I’d rather do it myself” syndrome
 Pressure to conform
 Risky shift phenomenon

Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, ' 07
Definitions--Small Group
Communication
Gaut and Perrigo--” a collection of three or
more individuals who interact with one
another to achieve a common task or goal”
 questions--when is a group too big to be a
small group….must the interaction be face
to face?

Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, ' 07
Typologies of Groups in
Organizations
 Learning
Groups
 Self Maintenance Groups
 Problem Solving Groups
 Therapeutic Groups
Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, ' 07
Drucker’s Group Typology
Work teams--like a baseball team--on not
in a team
 Cross functional teams--like a football
team--each with primary responsibilities
but contingency recognized
 Self managed teams--like a doubles team
in tennis--no leaders, fully interchangeable

Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, ' 07
Some Principles of Small Group
Leadership
 Leadership
is not always vested in
the formal leader of a group
 Leadership is multi-dimensional
task orientation
socio-emotional orientation
 Leadership cannot always be
compelled
Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, ' 07
3 Styles of Group Leadership-Autocratic
Autocratic or Authoritarian Leadership
Advantages--time, efficiency, large
groups, simple tasks
Disadvantages-low cohesion
 Communication behaviors
controls discussion, low involvement,
infrequent feedback, dominates
interaction

Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, ' 07
3 Styles of Group Leadership-Democratic
Democratic Leadership
advantage--satisfaction, commitment,
complicated tasks
disadvantage--inefficient
 Communication behaviors
mediates conflict, encourages
participation, socio-emotional orientation

Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, ' 07
3 Styles of Group Leadership-Laissez-faire
Laissez-faire Leadership
advantage--utilizes the talents of the
group
disadvantage--potential for misdirection
 Communication behaviors--facilitates
group activity but not discussion, poor
feedback, provides info at the direction of
the group

Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, ' 07
Types of Small Group Decisions
 Consensus
 Compromise
 Voting
 Railroading
 Coalitions/Handclasping
Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, ' 07