Enhancing Group & Team Performance HCOM 100 Instructor Name

Communication Principles

Enhancing Group & Team Performance Preview What Effective Group Members Do Structuring Group & Team Problem Solving Enhancing Group & Team Leadership Enhancing Group & Team Meetings

Research Regarding Group & Team Performance Groups and teams come up with more creative solutions to problems than a person working along. Working with others in groups improves the comprehension of the ideas presented. Group and team members are more satisfied with the conclusions and recommendations if they participated in the discussion. Groups have more available information by tapping the experience of group members.

Effective Group Members Functional Approach –Describes the kinds of functions that lead to better quality solutions and decisions –Vigilant thinkers pay attention to the process of how problems are solved.

Effective Group Members (Cont.) Identify a Clear, Elevating Goal Gather and Use Information Effectively –Identify the data –Effectively communicate information –Draw accurate conclusions Develop Options Evaluate Ideas Develop Sensitivity Towards Others

Effective Group Members (cont.) Prescriptive Approach –Offers a sequence of steps and techniques to help your group stay on task and remain productive –A structured problem is one in which there is a single-best solution –Structure refers to the way a group discussion is organized –Interaction refers to the give-and-take discussion

Groups need a balance of Structure and Interaction

Structuring Problem Solving Step 1: Identify and Define the Problem Step 2: Analyze the Problem –Develop criteria –Force field analysis technique Step 3: Generate Possible Solutions –Brainstorming –Silent brainstorming –Nominal group technique

Structuring Problem Solving (cont.) Step 4: Select the Best Solution –Strategies to reach consensus Be goal oriented, listen, promote honest dialogue and discussion –Be cautious of groupthink Encourage critical thinking Don’t agree with someone just because she or he is high status Consider asking a third party to evaluate the group Assign a devil’s advocate Break into dyads consider pros and cons

Step 5: Test and implement the Solution RECAP: Top Six Reasons Why Groups Make Bad Decisions No Common Goal …….. Group does not begin with the end in mind Analysis Paralysis …….. Team members over analyze unimportant details details Jumping to Solutions.. People propose solutions before facts are known known Groupthink ………………… Group members agree too quickly just to get on with it on with it Topic Hopping …………… Lack of agenda and structure Killer Inch …………………. Group argues over minor points Structuring Problem Solving (cont.)

Enhancing Team Leadership Leadership is the ability of a person to influence others Approaches to Leadership Preview –Trait –Functional –Styles –Situational –Transformational

Approaches to Leadership Trait Approach –Suggests that there are certain traits that make leaders IntelligenceConfidence Social Skills Administrative Skills Physical Energy Enthusiasm

Approaches to Leadership (cont.) Functional Approach –Categorizes the essential leadership functions that need to be performed to enhance the workings of the group –Task functions Behaviors that help the group get the work done –Process functions Help maintain a harmonious group climate by encouraging amiable relationships

Approaches to Leadership (cont.) Styles Approach –Authoritarian Influence by giving orders and controlling others –Democratic Consults with the group before issuing edicts –Laissez Faire Takes a hands-off, laid back approach to influencing

Approaches to Leadership (cont.) Situational Approach –Views leadership as an interactive process that links a particular style of leadership with various factors –Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Model Relationship behavior Task behavior Maturity of group members

Approaches to Leadership (cont.) Transformational Approach –Transformational leader influences by transforming the group by giving it new vision, energizing the culture, or giving the group new structure –Fundamental Skills of Transformational Leadership Build a shared vision Challenge existing ways of thinking Be a systems thinker

Enhancing Group Meetings Manage Meeting Structure –Step 1: Determine your Meeting Goals –Step 2: Identify What Needs to be Discussed to Achieve the Goal –Step 3: Organize the Agenda An agenda is a list of the key issues, ideas, and information that will be discussed, giving the order/sequence in which each item will be discussed.

Enhancing Group Meetings (cont.) Manage meeting interaction –Use gatekeeping skills –Use metadiscussion –Monitor time –Use structure to manage interaction

Enhancing Group Meetings (cont.) Mosvic and Nelson’s Suggestions for Meeting Participants –Organize what you say –Speak to the point –Make one point at a time –Speak clearly and forcefully –Support your ideas with evidence –Listen

What questions do you have? Homework: 1.) Reading? 2.) Turn in assignments?