Download Small Group Communication

Small Group Communication and
Team Leadership
Are five heads really better than one?
Why Work in Groups?
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evidence of increased creativity
increased commitment to implementation
recognition of the potential contributions of
workers outside of management
opportunities for anonymity
relational benefits
What Happens When a Group is
Too Large...
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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
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--possible
explanations--no single person
responsible, risky advocates more
persuasive, our culture values risk taking
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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?
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Typologies of Groups in
Organizations
Learning Groups
 Self Maintenance Groups
 Problem Solving Groups
 Therapeutic Groups
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Drucker’s Group Typology
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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
Some Principles of Small Group
Leadership
Leadership is not always vested in the
formal leader of a group
 Leadership is multi-dimensional
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task orientation
socio-emotional orientation
Leadership cannot always be compelled
3 Styles of Group Leadership-Autocratic
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Autocratic or Authoritarian Leadership
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Advantages--time, efficiency, large groups,
simple tasks
Disadvantages-low cohesion
Communication behaviors
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controls discussion, low involvement,
infrequent feedback, dominates interaction
3 Styles of Group Leadership-Democratic
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Democratic Leadership
advantage--satisfaction, commitment,
complicated tasks
– disadvantage--inefficient
Communication behaviors
– mediates conflict, encourages participation,
socio-emotional orientation
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3 Styles of Group Leadership-Laissez-faire
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Laissez-faire Leadership
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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
Types of Small Group Decisions
Consensus
 Compromise
 Voting
 Railroading
 Coalitions/Handclasping
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