1. Small Group Communication and Team Leadership
Are five heads really better than one?

2. Why Work in Groups? evidence of increased creativity
increased commitment to implementation
recognition of the potential contributions of workers outside of management
opportunities for anonymity
relational benefits

3. What Happens When a Group is Too Large...
formation of subgroups
unequal participation, less per member
increased likelihood of domination
higher demands on the leader
needs higher tolerance for group takeover of administrative tasks
more trouble achieving consensus

4. Possible Disadvantages to Groups
The potential for “social loafing”
One person may dominate the discussion
“I’d rather do it myself” syndrome
Pressure to conform
Risky shift phenomenon--possible explanations--no single person responsible, risky advocates more persuasive, our culture values risk taking

5. Definitions--Small Group Communication
Gaut and Perrigo--” a collection of three or more individuals who interact with one another to achieve a common task or goal”
questions--when is a group too big to be a small group….must the interaction be face to face?

6. Typologies of Groups in Organizations
Learning Groups
Self Maintenance Groups
Problem Solving Groups
Therapeutic Groups

7. Drucker’s Group Typology
Work teams--like a baseball team--on not in a team
Cross functional teams--like a football team--each with primary responsibilities but contingency recognized
Self managed teams--like a doubles team in tennis--no leaders, fully interchangeable

8. Some Principles of Small Group Leadership
Leadership is not always vested in the formal leader of a group
Leadership is multi-dimensional
task orientation
socio-emotional orientation
Leadership cannot always be compelled

9. 3 Styles of Group Leadership--Autocratic
Autocratic or Authoritarian Leadership
Advantages--time, efficiency, large groups, simple tasks
Disadvantages-low cohesion
Communication behaviors
controls discussion, low involvement, infrequent feedback, dominates interaction

10. 3 Styles of Group Leadership--Democratic
Democratic Leadership
advantage--satisfaction, commitment, complicated tasks
disadvantage--inefficient
Communication behaviors
mediates conflict, encourages participation, socio-emotional orientation

11. 3 Styles of Group Leadership--Laissez-faire
Laissez-faire Leadership
advantage--utilizes the talents of the group
disadvantage--potential for misdirection
Communication behaviors--facilitates group activity but not discussion, poor feedback, provides info at the direction of the group

12. Types of Small Group Decisions
Consensus
Compromise
Voting
Railroading
Coalitions/Handclasping