Chapter 3 Lecture Slides Focusing on Group Communication

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

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

Flat Organizational Structures Many businesses are: 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 1 �© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 10

Team Behaviors 3 • 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 © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 11

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

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. 13

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

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

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

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. 17

Groupthink Causes • Solutions 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 • • • 5 • • • 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 �© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 18

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

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

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

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