How to Work Effectively in Groups

1. How to Work Effectively in Groups “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

2. Working in Groups in almost unavoidable • School • Work • Volunteer activities

3. First Get to know each other. If you’re going to be working in a group with other people for and extended period of time.

4. Second Assign roles if the project requires working together in a group for an extended period of time to reach a specific goal. For instance you might designate one person the group leader or facilitator and another the scribe or note taker.

5. Third Exchange contact information to enable group members to communicate effectively outside of scheduled meetings if the project is long term.

6. Fourth Identify the group’s goal

7. Fifth • Divide tasks into steps and assign each member a specific task to attack long term projects. Often this will go easier if people volunteer for tasks they like to do.

8. Sixth • Listen to each other and encourage each other. Make sure everyone in the groups is heard and offer encouragement when other contribute a good idea or perform a task effectively.

9. Seventh • Deal immediately with conflict if it arises.