1. Introduction to delivering career development through group work 2 Presented by – Date – Conflict is the gadfly of thought. It shocks us out of sheep-like passivity, and sets us at noting and contriving…… conflict is a “sine qua non” of reflection and ingenuity. John Dewey

2. Aim and objectives
Aim: To explore effective group work theory and its relationship to job roles and organisations
Objectives:
by the end of the session learners will be able to:
Analyse group effectiveness
Use a model to make suggestions to enhance group effectiveness
Consult with others to improve own group work activities.

3. Effective groups Johnson & Johnson (1991)
Clear cooperative goals
Accurate two-way communication among members
Widespread distribution, participation and leadership among group members
Use of consensus to arrive at answers, solutions and decisions
Power and influence based on expertise, access to information and social skills
Frequent occurrence of controversy
Open confrontation and negotiation of conflicts of interest among members including coordinator
High cohesiveness
High trust among members
Climate of acceptance, respect and support among members and between group and coordinator
Group norms promoting individual responsibility, accountability, helping and sharing and achievement
Generally high group and interpersonal skills among members.

4. Analysing group effectiveness
Form groups of five, if possible work with people new to you.
Read the case study and undertake the following:
List what went wrong and why
State what could be done to make it more effective
Compare your findings to the factors listed by Johnson & Johnson (1991) for running effective groups.
You have 30 minutes for this exercise and will be asked to present your findings on a flip chart to the rest of the group

5. Constructive feedback
Specific
Honest
Behaviour not person
Confidential if required
Supports finding alternatives
Respect
Genuine
Empathy
Timely
Positive-negative-positive sandwich.

6. Consultancy exercise As a consultant you need to find out:
Find a partner to work with that you feel you could trust and respect
You are both going to act as group work consultants to each other.
As a consultant you need to find out:
The existing situation – the group work activity, the group make up, how the session was run and the outcome.
What the lecturer/trainer/assessor intended to happen
The lecturer/trainer/assessor’s view on what could be done to develop or improve the activity
Offer your experience and advice, using the information and knowledge from the earlier “Groupwork” session, as well as your own experience and knowledge, to develop or improve the group work.
You have half an hour each for this activity – plus a fifteen minute break during the exercise

7. Debate in the group
Split the group into two. Move to different sides of the room. One group to argue for and one against the statement
Debate the statement:
“Group idea storming is more creative than individual brainstorming”
You have five minutes to agree your stance and five minutes for the debate
You have ten minutes for this whole exercise

8. Creativity in groups
Groups show reduction in idea generation tasks due to:
Motivation loss (rely on others)
Coordination loss (lack of good coordination of task and process)
Anxiety (fear of being different)
Loss of ideas through waiting.
Groups show increase in idea generation and creativity when:
There is a culture of individuality not conformity
Individuals do idea generation before group discussion
Controversy is encouraged and promoted alongside respect for others
Group leaders model curiosity and enquiry.
Johnson and Johnson (1991) & Nijstad (2009)

9. References
Johnson, D., W. & Johnson, F., P. (1991), Joining Together, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice- Hall
Nijstad, B., A. (2009) Group Performance, Hove, East Sussex: Psychology Press .
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