Task Groups Aim to accomplish some definite objective

• Creating a policy

• Making a decision

• Solving a problem

• Advising others• Generating

ideas

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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

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.

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

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.

Abraham Lincoln’s Leadership Lessons

1. Encourage criticism from others and listen carefully to it.

2. Communicate clearly and concisely in ways that ordinary citizens can understand.L

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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.

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.

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

Standard AgendaI. Define the Problem

A. Define the terms B. Phrase a question to guide deliberation

II. Analyze the IssuesA. Gather information on history, how issues have

been addressed elsewhere, and so onB. Analyze causes of problem or needC. Discuss desired outcomes of decision

III. Establish CriteriaIV. Generate Possible Solutions

A. Review researchB. Brainstorm

V. Evaluate Possible SolutionsVI. Select and Implement the SolutionVII. Develop an Action Plan to Monitor the Solution

Disruptive Conflict Constructive Conflict

Competitive

Self-interested

Win-lose approach

Closed climate Defensive

communication Personal attacks

Cooperative

Collective focus

Win-win approachScreens out opposing

ideas

Supportive communication

Issue focus

Listens to opposing ideas

Open climate

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.

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1. Identify leadership behaviors on the team. Is Jason the single leader or do other team members contribute leadership to the group?

2. Is the conflict on this team constructive or disruptive or both?

3. If you were a member of the team, how might you communicate to enhance the constructiveness of disagreements?

4. 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.