1. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Small Group Characteristics Small number—usually 5–12 related individuals Share a common purpose Connected by organizing rules

2. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Virtual Groups Helps geographically separated group members to communicate via computer or phone connections Social Networking sites – For connecting with friends socially – Business uses: finding jobs, conducting business, solving organizational problems

3. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Small Group Apprehension Small group apprehension varies depending on the nature of the group How apprehensive are you in group discussions?

4. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Group norms – Rules or standards identifying which behaviors are considered appropriate – Sometime explicitly stated and sometimes unwritten High- and low-context cultures Small Group Culture

5. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Two stages: brainstorming activity and evaluation Brainstorming Groups

6. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Brainstorming Groups cont… Rules No evaluations in early stages Quantity, not quality, is goal Combinations and extensions of ideas are encouraged Freewheeling thought is desired After a set period of brainstorming time, ideas are then evaluated according to relevance, workability

7. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Information-Sharing Groups Educational/Learning Groups: Acquire new skills and knowledge Focus Groups: In-depth interviewing with a small population of people

8. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Problem-Solving Groups Meet to solve particular problems or make a decision about some issue Members must possess knowledge about the problem Members must adhere to a set of norms, expectations

9. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. John Dewey’s Problem- Solving Sequence

10. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. John Dewey’s Problem-Solving Sequence cont… Define and analyze the problem Establish criteria for evaluating solutions Identify solutions Evaluate solutions Select best solution – Authority – Majority – Consensus

11. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Problem Solving at Work Nominal Group Technique—limited discussion, secret ballot Quality Circles—utilizing workers to investigate and improve organizational functions of environment, procedures

12. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Group Task Roles “Getting the job done” Information giver or seeker Opinion giver or seeker Initiator-contributor Elaborator Evaluator-critic Procedural technician or recorder

13. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Group Building and Maintenance Roles “Serving the relationship needs of the group” Encourager or Harmonizer Compromiser Gatekeeper-Expediter Standard Setter Follower

14. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Individual Roles Aggressor Recognition Seeker Self-Confessor Blocker Special Interest Pleader Dominator Troller—an Internet contributor

15. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Becoming a Better Team Member Be group/team-oriented Always keep conflict “issue-focused” Be critically open-minded Ensure understanding Beware of groupthink

16. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Leaders in Small Group Communication Leadership defined two ways: research and theory 1. Leadership is the process of influencing the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of group members and establishing the direction that others follow 2. Leadership is the process of empowering others

17. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Myths The skills of leadership are rare. Leaders are born. Leaders are all charismatic.

18. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Laissez-faire leader Democratic leader Authoritarian leader General Styles of Leadership

19. Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Leadership Skills Prepare members and start interaction Build group cohesiveness Maintain effective interaction Guide through the agreed-on agenda Ensure member satisfaction Empower group members Encourage ongoing evaluation and improvement Manage conflict Mentor