effective small groups mandy buzzelli speech 1700 march 26, 2011
TRANSCRIPT
Effective Small Groups
Mandy Buzzelli
Speech 1700
March 26, 2011
What is a small group?
3
-20 people working to accomplish a task (Floyd, 2011, p. 208)
“
Everyone’s actions influence and are influenced by everyone
else” (Floyd, p. 210).
G
roups need task cohesion.• They work to accomplish a common goal
Positive group climate
S
ocial cohesion means that the group works well together.• Respect each other’s viewpoints, even when one disagrees (Floyd,
2011, p. 211).• Celebrate success. • Diffuse stress. • Value group members and their contributions (Floyd, 2011, p. 230).
“
The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the
greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the
club won't be worth a dime.” -Babe Ruth
Effective listening
L
isten effectively • Research shows that people identify active listening as a key to a successful
group (Hawkins & Fillion, 1996, p. 14).
R
educe noise, anything that distracts you from listening (Floyd, 2011, p.
137).
L
isten to the views of others’• Don’t formulate your reply while they are still speaking
D
o not interrupt
Advantages of small groups
C
ombined pool of tangible and intangible resources• From money to skills, and equipment to time (Floyd, 2011, p. 223).
S
ynergy: producing a better result together than they could individually
E
xposure to multiple perspectives allows for a better informed conclusion
(Floyd, 2011, p. 224).
F
ulfills the human need to belong.
Individual responsibilities
Members of the group have formal and informal roles
(Floyd, 2011, p. 213)
Formal roles Informal roles
Formally assigned Not formally assigned
For example, an elected president
For example, mediator or humorist
Focus on accomplishing goal
Focus on how well the group works together
Important to group success
Important to group success
Informal Roles
A
list of different informal roles• Encourages all members join the discussion• Praises the contribution of others• Encourages conflicting members to reconcile • Provides humor and tension relief• Suggests breaks when energy begins to fade• Initiates the discussion• Summarizer(Vrchota, 2005).
Contributing to the group
D
r. Reineke gives her students the following tips: • Incorporate prior knowledge into group discussion.• Ask questions in an open-minded way.• Build on the ideas of others.• Volunteer ideas in a constructive manner.• Identify missing information in the group answer
(2011).
Norms and Rules
A
ll small groups have
norms and rules. • Rules are stated
behavioral expectations
• Norms are unwritten expectations
(Hurner, 2004)
Prevent social loafing
S
ocial loafing: when someone does not do their share
of the work (Floyd, 2011, p. 225).• The group goal needs to be specific and clear. • Each individual knows what he/she needs to do.• The group knows who is and who is not working.• Group members know others are counting on them.
Conclusion
I
n effective small groups• There are clear goals• People listen actively• Members have both formal and informal roles• Everyone knows their responsibilities• Everyone knows the rules and norms• There is cohesion and synergy
Reference List
Floyd, K. (2011). Communication Matters. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies.
Hawkins, K., & Fillion, B. (1996). Perceived Communication Skill Needs for Small
Work Groups [PDF format]. Retrieved from
http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED399592.pdf
Hurner, S. (2004). “Communication Experience” Available online:
http://www.csus.edu/indiv/h/hurners/HTML%20Supports/COMS
%205%20Spring%2 02004%20Syllabus%20for%20web.htm
Reineke, M. (2011). “In class discussion” Available online: http://www.uni.edu/reineke
Ruth, B. Available online: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/quotes/quoruth.shtml
Vrchota, D. (2005). “Communication Skills: The Ways Informal Roles Influence
Groups and Teams” Available online:
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/ftcsc/media/ways.pdf