Task Groups Aim to accomplish some definite objective

2. Task GroupsAim to accomplish some definite objective • Creating a policy • Making a decision • Solving a problem • Advising others • Generating ideas Microsoft Photo

3. Task Groups • Project teams • People who have special expertise in relation to some project and who work together to accomplish a common goal • Focus groups • Used to find out what people think about a specific idea, product, issue, or person • Brainstorming groups • Goal is to come up with as many ideas as possible

4. Rules for Brainstorming • Do not evaluate ideas that are volunteered. • Record ideas on a board or flip chart so that all members can see. • Go for quantity. • Build on ideas. • Encourage creativity.

5. Task Groups • Advisory groups • Provide information and advise to others • Quality circles • Three or more people from different areas of an organization who work together to improve the quality of the group • First meetings often involve complaining • To be effective quality circles must be given the power to solve problems. • Decision making groups • Exist to solve problems or make decisions

6. Leadership is a set of functions that assist groups in accomplishing tasks and maintaining a good climate. Leadership may be provided either by one individual or by several members who ensure effective communication.

7. Abraham Lincoln’s Leadership Lessons • Encourage criticism from others and listen carefully to it. • Communicate clearly and concisely in ways that ordinary citizenscanunderstand. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

8. Styles of Leadership • Laissez-faire is a French phrase that roughly translates to “do nothing.” • When a group is mature, experienced and self-directed there is no reason for a leader. • Authoritarian is directive and dictatorial. • Groups are often efficient but members’ morale and quality of work may not be optimal. • Democratic provides direction and guidance but does not impose rigid authority. • Tends to generate high and balanced communication among members which fuels cohesion and satisfaction.

9. Decision-Making Methods • Consensus occurs when all members of a group agree. • Most popular decision method in Western societies • Voting is based on the support of a certain number of a group. • May be advisable when time is short, when a decision is not major, or when a group needs to move on • Compromise satisfies each person’s minimum criteria, but may not fully satisfy all members.

10. Decision-Making MethodsAuthority Rule and Group Ratification • Occurs when an authority tells a group what to do and the group ratifies the authority’s decision. • Group may be appointed to give the appearance of a democratic method and to distribute responsibility for an unpopular decision • Can cause resentment in those who dislike being forced to ratify a decision • Short-circuits the potential of a group decision being superior to an individual’s • Can dampen participation in the long run if members think their ideas make no difference in decisions made

11. Standard Agenda • I. Define the Problem • A. Define the terms • B. Phrase a question to guide deliberation • II. Analyze the Issues • A. Gather information on history, how issues have • been addressed elsewhere, and so on • B. Analyze causes of problem or need • C. Discuss desired outcomes of decision • III. Establish Criteria • IV. Generate Possible Solutions • A. Review research • B. Brainstorm • V. Evaluate Possible Solutions • VI. Select and Implement the Solution • VII. Develop an Action Plan to Monitor the Solution

12. Disruptive Conflict Constructive Conflict Cooperative Competitive Collective focus Self-interested Win-lose approach Win-win approach Screens out opposing ideas Listens to opposing ideas Closed climate Open climate Defensive communication Supportive communication Personal attacks Issue focus

13. Experiencing Communication in our Lives . . . You’ll recognize the following scenario because you watched it before in Chapter 6. View it again, this time focusing on group dynamics and communication.

14. Wadsworth Thomson: Wood Scenarios

15. Identify leadership behaviors on the team. Is Jason the single leader or do other team members contribute leadership to the group? • Is the conflict on this team constructive or disruptive or both? • If you were a member of the team, how might you communicate to enhance the constructiveness of disagreements? • Judging from Jason’s comments, what leadership style does he seem to use? • You may go to your student CD that accompanies the text to compare your answers to Julia Wood’s.