© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.1 Focusing on Group Communication Chapter 3 Lecture Slides

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.2 Learning Objective 1 Explain the factors influencing the increasing importance of group communication. 1

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.3 Flat Organizational Structures Downsizing; eliminating layers of management Reorganizing decision-making power throughout the organization Eliminating functional/departmental boundaries Organizing cross-disciplinary teams to handle broad core processes Face-to-Face communication is prominent Many businesses are: Flat Organizational Structures 1

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.4 The Cooperative Spirit A high degree of trust Effective interpersonal skills Empathetic and intensive listening skills Willingness to communicate long enough to agree on an action plan that is acceptable to everyone. 1 Competition vs. Cooperation This mutual understanding requires

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.5 Learning Objective 2 Describe the characteristics of effective groups. 2

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 6 Characteristics of Effective Groups Common goals Role perception Longevity Size Status Group norms Leadership 2

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.7 Group Roles Isolate Dominator Free rider Detractor Digressor Airhead Socializer Facilitator Harmonizer Record keeper Reporter Leader Negative Positive 2

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.8 Learning Objective 3 Explain the difference between groups and teams 3

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.9 Stages of Team Development 3

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 10 Types of Teams Task force — Achieve a single goal in limited time Quality assurance team (quality circle) — Focus on product or service quality Cross-functional team — Join employees from various departments to solve problems Product development — Focus on the development cycle of new products Virtual team — a team with members in more than one location 3

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.11 Team Behaviors Commitment — focused on mission, values, goals, and expectations Cooperation — share a sense of purpose Communication — know that information must flow smoothly Contribution — expect all members to share abilities and skills with the team 3

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.12 Learning Objective 4 Outline the group decision-making process 4

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.13 Group Decision-Making Stages Orientation: group identifies the problem and plans process for reaching decision. Discussion: researches, identifies & weighs options, tests assumptions. Decision: group combines individual preferences into a collective decision. Implementation: Group carries out decision and assesses its impact. 4

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.14 Learning Objective 5 Discuss group conflict and conflict resolution 5

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.15 Types of Group Conflict Competition Social Dilemmas Procedural Conflict Personal Conflict Substantive Conflict 5

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.16 Styles of Conflict Resolution Compromise Avoidance Collaboration Accommodation Competition 5

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 17 Personalities and Conflict Competitors view group disagreements as win-lose situations and satisfaction in forcing their ideas on others. Cooperators value accommodative interpersonal strategies Individualists are concerned only with their own outcomes. They make decisions based on what they personally will achieve. They neither interfere with nor assist others’ attempts to reach their goals. 5

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.18 Groupthink Dislike of conflict and need for cohesiveness Group members dominate interaction Group members are intimidated by others Group members care more about social acceptability than reaching best solution Strong leadership encouraging members to participate Objective viewpoints; no egos and emotions Assign a “devil’s advocate” for the group Create subgroups Hold “second chance” meeting Causes Solutions 5

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.19 Learning Objective 6 Discuss aspects of effective meeting management 6

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.20 Face-to-Face Meetings Provide rich, nonverbal cues Are preferred when dealing with sensitive issues Are beneficial for rapport Pose logistical issues of time, place, and schedules May be dominated by aggressive and high status members Advantages Disadvantages 6

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.21 Electronic Meetings Assist with geographically scattered groups Speed up meeting follow-up activities Place all participants on a more even level Cannot replace face-to-face contact for some meetings Can make consensus harder to reach Are dependent on keyboarding skills Advantages Disadvantages 6

© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 22 Suggestions for Effective Meetings Limit meeting length and frequency Make satisfactory arrangements Distribute the agenda in advance Encourage participation Maintain order Manage conflict and seek consensus Prepare thorough minutes 6