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Working in Groups

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Working in groups may be one of the most important skills you learn in college.

The ability to work in groups is an essential employability skill according to government – along with verbal communication and the ability to make decisions and solve conflict.

The Challenges of Working in Groups

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Group interaction – a necessity for effective group communication in both face-to-face and virtual meetings

Group members are interdependent – the actions of an individual group member affect every other member

Group members come together for a reason: a collective purpose or goal that defines and unifies the group – work to accomplish a common goal

The Challenges of Working in Groups (cont)

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Groups outperform individuals acting alone The lone problem solver can’t match the

diversity of knowledge and perspectives of a group

Working in groups can enhance learning when members share information, stimulate critical thinking, challenge assumptions, and establish high standards of achievement.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups

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Requires time and energy Potential for conflict among members Behaviour of some members may create

problems

Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups

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Groups that are responsible for making decisions, solving problems, implementing projects, or performing routine duties

Work Groups

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Virtual Group

Relies on tools such as email, audio conferencing, videoconferencing, and Web conferencing to communicate across time, distance, and organizational boundaries

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Learn to balance individual and group goals Primary tension – the social unease

and inhibitions that accompany the get-acquainted period in a new group – often over polite – decreases as become more comfortable

Try to be positive, energetic, patient, open-minded and well prepared

Balancing Individual and Group Goals

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Group membership – sometimes we get to choose the groups we work with, and sometimes we are assigned groups

Hidden agendas – when a member’s private goals conflict with group’s goals

Discussing hidden agendas during early stages of group development can counteract their disruptive power What are the groups goals? Do any members have any personal concerns or goals that

differ from these? What outcomes do members expect?

Balancing Individual and Group Goals (cont)

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Conflict is valuable in groups because it forces us to analyze our opinions and decisions

Groups also benefit from cohesion – the mutual attraction that holds members of a group together

Secondary tensions – frustrations and personality conflicts Joke about tension Work outside group setting to discuss personal

difficulties and anxieties

Balancing Conflict and Cohesion

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Group Cohesion – All for one and one for all! Cohesive groups are united and committed

to a common goal, have high levels of interaction, and enjoy a supportive communication climate – teamwork; willing to use creative approaches to achieve the group’s goals – happier and get more done – treat each other with respect

Balancing Conflict and Cohesion (cont)

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Norming – how will the group work – balance a commitment to group practices, rules, and standards (conformity) with a willingness to differ and change (nonconformity)

Constructive nonconformity occurs when a member resists a norm while still working to promote the group – sometimes this is needed and valued

Destructive nonconformity occurs when a member resists conformity without regard for the best interests of the group and its goal

Balancing Conformity and Nonconformity

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Group members assume different roles depending on the nature of the group, its membership, and its goal.

A group role is a pattern of behaviours associated with an expected function within a particular group context

Every group member brings unique talents, preferences, and perspectives to a group

Balancing Task and Maintenance Roles

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Task roles focus on behaviours that help manage the task and complete the job

Maintenance roles affect whether group members get along with one another while pursuing a common goal

Group Task and Maintenance Roles

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Leadership is the ability to make strategic decisions and use communication to mobilize group members toward achieving a common goal.

Communication is the glue that connects all leadership competencies

Motivating others is a critical task for leaders

Managing group processes is one of the most important functions of leadership

Effective leaders must make decisions

Developing Group Leadership

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1.Be ready and willing to mentor every group member

2.Encourage and invite others to lead

3.Inspire optimism4.Create appropriate balance

and boundaries

Mentor Members

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Defining the problem Analyzing the problem

Finding out as much as possible about the problem

Determining solution criteria Identifying possible solutions Evaluating solutions Deciding

The expert opinion method The majority rule method The unanimous decision method

Your Turn!Problem Solving in Groups

Constraints on Effective Decision Making

Cognitive constraints – occur when a group feels under pressure because a task is difficult, information is lacking, or time is limited

Affiliative constraints – occur when some members are more concerned with harmony than making decisions

Egocentric constraints – members of group have high need for control or driven by other personal needs18

In your teams complete the following “case study.”

1. Define the problem.2. Evaluate the solution.3. How did you come to a consensus?4. What constraints did the group have?

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As Marketing Requested It As Sales Ordered It

As Engineering Designed It As Data Processing Programmed It

As Service Installed It What the Customer Wanted

CASE

STUDY

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No class next class… go online to www.alis.alberta.ca/worksearch

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Go to “Getting Started”. Now click on #1 where it says Career Planning. On right side of page it says Sign up. Do it and then log in when you are signed up.

Again go to Getting Started, Career Planning and then scroll down to the boxes. Click Know Yourself. Scroll down until you see seven quizzes. Complete all of them. Ensure you hit Get Results every time you want to leave the quiz so that your info is saved. If you don’ you have to start over for each quiz. DO NOT GO TO CAREER CHOICES. Just got to the next quiz.

You can go in and out of this website anytime as you are now a member of it.