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SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION Learning Unit 6

SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION Learning Unit 6. What We Should Learn. Explain what a small group is Difference between interpersonal communication & small groups Dynamics of small groups Explain group norms Checklist for effective teams Communication networks? Different leadership styles

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SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION Learning Unit 6

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  1. SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATIONLearning Unit 6

  2. What We Should Learn.. • Explain what a small group is • Difference between interpersonal communication & small groups • Dynamics of small groups • Explain group norms • Checklist for effective teams • Communication networks? • Different leadership styles • Problem solving in groups • Describe & manage conflict

  3. No Man is an Island – Why should we UNDERSTAND small group dynamics?

  4. DEFINITION (pg116) • A group is a NUMBER of PEOPLE • Who COMMUNICATE with ONE ANOTHER • Often OVER TIME • & is FEW enough so that each person is able to Communicate with ALL the OTHER • Through other people? • But Face 2 Face

  5. COLLECTIVITY VS GROUP • Who has LITTLE and A LOT of Communication between them? • Who wants to REACH a goal or have NO SHARED INTEREST?

  6. INTERPERSONAL VS SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION? • Interpersonal : 2 people/groups. Face 2 face • Represent OURSELVES • Small Group : Accomplish a common GOAL • Represent YOURSELF WITHIN THE GROUP • We start to THINK as ONE

  7. GROUP DYNAMICS • READ case study on Pg 117 • What is the BYSTANDER EFFECT? • What is GROUP THINK?

  8. Group Dynamics (in business world) INCLUDES: • Conformity Pressures • Social Influence • Quality of Group Problem Solving Lets Look @ each one..

  9. CONFORMITY PRESSURES(part of Group Dynamics) • What is Conformity? • What is Pressures? EXTREME form of Conformity Pressure is: DE-INDIVIDUATION. Read pg 119 Research further differentiates between • Private acceptance (pg120, WHEN will this happen?) • Public compliance (agree with group 4 peace sake)

  10. SOCIAL INFLUENCE(part of Group Dynamics) • Newcomers get MORE pressure 2 conform • Eg: High school initiation • If member of group has Different opinion • Individual members will try to convince • Start to ignore him/her • Reject him/her

  11. CLASS QUICKIE : PG 121 (shoe size, small to largest)

  12. QUALITY OF GROUP problem solving(part of Group Dynamics) • Individual creative solutions BETTER? • MORE EFFECTIVE a group communicates the MORE EFFECTIVE they are.. • The QUALITY of the problem solving is affected by: (pg122 – 123) • Acceptance of Risk : RISKY SHIFT PHENOMENON • Group Think • Level of Creativity & logical problem solving

  13. ROLES OF GROUP MEMBERS(part of Group Dynamics) • ? A Role (pg 124) • TYPES OF ROLES – read, which one is YOU? • Self-centred • Team-maintenance • Task facilitating

  14. COHESIVENESS(part of Group Dynamics) • Cohesion : Act of Sticking Together • Forces that keeps group to remain together • How attractive is this membership? • Colleagues who work WELL 2gether, better POSITION to solve problems & reach GOALS

  15. PHASES OF GROUP DEVELOPMENT(part of Group Dynamics) The 5 (five) phases how a group develops: • Forming • Storming • Norming • Performing • Adjourning Class Quickie : Read & Discuss each phase. Note : These 5 steps are not a MUST..

  16. A CLEVER manager, knows that staff will be MORE MOTIVATED if they are PART OF the decision making process

  17. ADVANTAGES& DISADVANTAGES of SMALL GROUPS • Pool RESOURCES, ACCOMPLISH MORE • Increases INDIVIDUAL MOTIVATION & COMMITMENT 2 TASK • BETTER prepared to FORSEE Difficulties/Visualize OUTCOME • People RECEIVE decision BETTER that’s made by GROUPS • Most people find it PLEASANT to work in a group than alone • Feeling of ACCEPTANCE

  18. ADVANTAGES& DISADVANTAGESof SMALL GROUPS • Easier for some to do NOTHING • FORCEFUL people tend 2 take OVER • PERSONAL goals VS Group goals might CONFLICT • Groups take LONGER to reach a decision • Groups often SUBSTITUTE TALK 4 ACTION • To LARGE – the group will become INeffective

  19. CLASS QUICKIE PG 128

  20. WHATS THE IDEAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS IN A SMALL GROUP?FOR OPTIMAL COMMUNICATION

  21. GROUP NORMS • Norms = Rules • Rules help us 2 perform & function optimally • Guided by EVERYONE in the group, not just the leader • Group Norms = Uniformity of Behaviour Produced & Maintained by Group Pressures • What are FORMAL norms & INFORMAL norms?

  22. CLASS QUICKIE PG 130 THE CHECKLIST 4 DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE GROUP/TEAM = Choose 1 of the 4 blocks and Discuss WHY this should b done.. Selection/ Fairness in Decisions/ Staying on Track/ Manage Conflict

  23. COMMUNICATION NETWORKS • Members in group makes CONTACT • Information FLOWS optimally • Networks are • Centralised? • Decentralised? • Network TYPES include? (PG 131) (Make groups of 5) • Wheel/Star • Chain/Line • Y • Circle (decentralised) • All Channels (decentralised)

  24. LEADERSHIPS in GROUPS • Leaders always EMERGE from group • Leader = Sensitive 2 Social Dynamics • Leader = Plant seeds that grows • Styles differ – right or wrong? • Styles include: • Authoritatian (Adolf Hitler) • Democratic (Nelson Mandela) • Laissez Faire (Thabo Mbeki?) • Collective (Richard Branson)

  25. GROUP GOALS • BURTON & DIMBLEBY (1995:pp.205-206) • We join groups, as we believe 2 heads r …. • An effective group can: • Have more ideas • Access more information • Distribute responsibility • More committed approach • Explicit tasks : research, gather ideas, recommend action • Hidden agendas: • We CREATE our SOCIAL IDENTITY through group memberships

  26. PROBLEM SOLVING • Healthy groups – Openness 2 ideas, listens, works • Closed groups – Sterile in thinking, placet CLASS QUICKIE : Read Pg 137 – 7 Habits of Highly effective People

  27. CONFLICT • What is Conflict? (pg 137) • Conflict results from: • Lack of Communication • Different Perceptions • Different Values • Different preferred outcomes

  28. CONFLICT • Moderate level of Conflict, might result in • Increase Group Motivation & Energy • Increase Innovative Thinking & Diversity of Solutions • Understand a specific point of view, as everyone adds opinions and supportive facts • Similarly – understand Opposing opinions, and resolve to one solution with greatest support

  29. HOW DO YOU MANAGE CONFLICT? • END GOAL : Conflict should RESULT in MAXIMUM gain for ALL parties: • Confrontation • Compromise • Smoothing • Use of Power • Coalition WHICH IS YOU? UR 2ND CHOICE?

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