Chapter 11, 12 & 13 ! Leaders in small group; Workplace communication & issue

Small Group

There are various roles to play in a small group and below is the 12 roles that is inherent in group tasks:

1. Initiator
2. Information seeker
3. Opinion seeker
4. Information giver
5. Opinion giver
6. Elaborator
7. Coordinator
8. Orienter
9. Evaluator
10. Energizer
11. Procedural technician
12. Recorder

However, sometime you need to build the relationship in the group, so below are 7 roles to play in process of group building and maintenance roles:

1. Encourager
2. Harmonizer
3. Compromiser
4. Gatekeeper
5. Standard setter
6. Observer
7. Follower

At the end of the day, every individual will perform their roles as well and you need to identify which one of these people are in your group, there are 8 roles in the group:

1. Aggressor
2. Blocker
3. Recognition seeker
4. Self-confessor
5. Playboy/girl
6. Dominator
7. Help seeker
8. Special interested pleader
9. 
   

Now, how do we ensure a group has good or effective interaction and contribute efficiently?

First, do interaction process analysis by allowing group member to be quantiatively scored in different qualitative areas.

Second, ensure effective member participation by emphasize team work, avoid attacking others, be open-minded to criticism, allow time for understanding and discourage 'groupthink'.

Besides, every groups must have a leader to lead and guide group members, a leader must be able to:

1. Be ready
2. Activate the group Agenda
3. Encourage group interaction
4. Empower group member
5. Maintain effective interaction
6. Keep member on track 
7. Ensure member satisfaction and welfare
8. Evaluate effectively
9. Manage conflict

Organizational Communication 

What is organization? 

Organization is a group of people gathered with the same purpose of working together to achieve an collective and compatible goal

Why organization is important ?

Because it creates jobs/employment adapting to a converging world, influence/power of majority.

An organization’s characteristics is divided into 4 :

1.Rules & regulations

2.Division of labor

3.A system of reward and consequences

4.‘cultural’ values and beliefs

                           How to be an effective employee?

1.Be impressive – appropriate dressing, grooming is essential in any organization.

2.Be positive – the world is a cruel place, but it is also a very forgetful and forgiving place

3.Be culturally sensitive – especially if you are working in cross cultural/international environment.

4.Be respectful & open – because nobody likes rude and unfriendly people.

5.Be interested – because the last thing you want people to think of you is “does he/ she want the job or not?”

Communication within the organization can be divided into formal and informal categories:

Formal :

1.Upward – from lower level employees to higher level employees; for example : executive to manager

2.Downward – from higher level employees to lower level employees : for example : managers to executives

3.Lateral – same level; from managers to managers, executive to executives.

Informal:

            Grapevine/pipeline – no hierarchy and no authoritative intention/action.

            For example: rumors, gossips

            Grapevine communication is an indication that the topic of matter is:

   –Unproven

   –sensitive

Communication has different format in small group :

1.Circle – everyone is communicating with one another

2.Wheel – everyone communicates towards a central receiver

3.Y – a split in one or more area in the communication chain.

4.Chain – ‘pass – along’ communication

5.All channel – everybody talks to one another with no hierarchy and authority level.

However, it's important to remain ethical and maintain when it comes to information, gender issue, bullying and netrwork.

What is conflict?

Conflict is argument or problems that arose because of an extreme in opinions or beliefs between one.

There are 2 types of conflict:

1.Intrapersonal conflict :

–When you have problems with yourself.

–“why am I not good enough to get the promotion”

2.Interpersonal conflict :

–Conflict with others in the organization, but usually through :

•Online channels – emails, messages etc

•Verbal message – insults, words, texts

There are 3 principle of conflict:

1.Conflict can center on content and relationship issues

2.Conflict can be negative or positive

3.Conflict take place in a context

Stage of conflict management:

1.Define the conflict

2.Establish criteria

3.Identify the possible solutions

4.Evaluate solutions

5.Select the best solutions

6.Test and evaluate solution

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES:

1. Win-lose & Win-win strategy

2. Avoidance and active fighting

3. Force and talk

4. Blame and empathy

5. Gunny sacking and present focus

6. Manipulating and Spontaneity