Communicating In Small Groups

1. Communicating In Small Groups

2. Ten Key Points to Communicating in Small Groups • 1. Form small teams with complementary skills • 2. Clearly define role and goals • 3. Establish a pleasant working environment • 4. Manage conflicts through cooperation • 5. Encourage open communication and keep an open mind

3. Ten Key Points to Communicating in Small Groups • 6. Collaborate rather than compete • 7. Divide leadership accordingly throughout various stages • 8. Establish a fair method for decision making • 9. Respect your group and your responsibilities • 10. Find a balance between work and play

4. Definition • Title: Small Group Communication • URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small-group_communication • Description: A clear definition of ‘Small Group Communication’

5. Books • Title: In Mixed Company: Communicating in Small Groups and Teams • URL: http://www.amazon.com/Mixed-Company-Communicating-Small-Groups/dp/0495007269/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222647140&sr=1-5 • Description: Discusses concepts of small group communication along with how to apply them to real life situations. • Title: Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices • URL: http://www.amazon.com/Communicating-Small-Groups-Principles-Practices/dp/0205449565/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222647140&sr=1-3 • Description: Provides principles of group communication with a focus on teamwork, technology, and ethical cooperation.

6. Books (Continued) • Title: The Fundamentals of Small Group Communication • URL: http://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Small-Group-Communication/dp/141295939X/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222647140&sr=1-10 • Description: Focuses on the individual within the group and what they have to gain and lose from their actions.

7. Educational Links • Title: Small Group Communication Context • URL: http://www.uky.edu/~drlane/capstone/group/ • Description:  This site discusses and evaluates various theories on the subject of small group communication. • Title: Small Group Communication: A Theoretical Approach • URL: http://www.uky.edu/~drlane/teams/pavitt/ • Description: This site contains a course's lecture notes on small group communication.

8. Educational Links (Continued) • Title: Small Group Communication PowerPoint • URL:http://www.uwgb.edu/clampitp/Small%20Group/Small%20Group%20Communication%20Introduction.ppt • Description: The following link is a powerpoint presentation which serves as an overview of the topic of small group communication. • Title: Small Group Communication Notes • URL:http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~natt/com114/smallgroups.pdf • Description: The following link contains everything one needs to know about small group communication from its definition to the types of groups as well as the problems that may arise.

9. Blogs • Title: Why Teams Succeed And Why They Fail • URL: http://www.skorks.com/2008/09/why-teams-succeed-and-why-they-fail/ • Description: The blog explains why some teams succeed and some fail depending on the combination of leaders and followers forming the team. • Title: Dealing with Personality Types in Small Group Settings • URL: http://sbcghostrecon.wordpress.com/2008/09/23/dealing-with-personality-types-in-small-group-settings/ • Description:  This blog talks about how to deal with different personalities and how to handle conflict accordingly. 

10. Discussion Forums • Title: Improve Your Communication Skills • URL: http://www.mindtools.com/page8.html • Description:  The discussion forum on this site is dedicated to improving personal and interpersonal skills such as stress management and group communication. Registration is required to access the discussion forum.

11. Newsletters • Title:Virtual Teams: The Communications Challenge • URL:http://www.impactcommunicationsinc.com/pdf/nwsltr_2008/ICINwsltrff0805.pdf • Description: Impact Communications Inc. releases monthly newsletters on their website. Problems associated with long-distance group communication are addressed. • Title:Five Hidden Traps in Meetings • URL:http://stevekaye.com/ez/ez_0603.html • Description: Business consultant Steve Kaye specializes in helping business leaders hold effective group meetings and identifies some of the pitfalls to avoid.

12. Newsletters (Continued) • Title:Business Communication: Is it a Game? • URL:http://www.selfleadership.com.au/archive/March05.htm • Description: In this newsletter from Self Leadership International, the author discusses ways in which we can become more effective communicators within workplace groups.

13. Seminars • Title:Presentations to Small Groups • URL:http://www.theprescottgroup.com/pres_small_groups.htm • Description: The Prescott Group Communication Consultants offer a two-day business presentation seminar specifically designed for presenting to small groups.

14. Peer-Reviewed Journals • Title: Western Journal of Communication • URL: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/10570314.asp • Description: The Western journal of communication  is dedicated to the publication of original scholarly manuscripts which advance our understanding of human communication. • Title: Small Group Research • URL: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsProdDesc.nav?prodId=Journal200891 • Description: A leader in the field of small group research

15. Credits Ariela Moyal Andrew Eylott David Mitchell Denitsa Ikonomova Paul David Xi Cao