Group Communication, Essay Example

Description of Concrete Experience

Subtopic 1: Roles of Group Members

Throughout my career, I have dealt with many small group communications. It is within my professional life that I have handled and been involved in communication within a group. This was present in my involvement coaching youngsters in basketball and baseball. In my early career at Smith Instrument and Equipment I dealt with a number of small groups from my accounting functions of accounts receivable this was mostly done in one on one and small group settings.

This would be the same for other accounting functions with this company.

Sound Engineering would be the same as above with the additional areas of Human Resources and union contract negotiations. Boulevard Construction had the added function of many different types of communications for projects. This communication was done in one-on-one and small group settings; from dealing with the owners to engineers, architects, subcontractors etc. These meetings took place with each individually and cumulatively. The transportation company I have also had experience in is much of the same as above with internal and external components of group communication.

Subtopic 2: Group Problem Solving Processes

From my experiences in being involved in groups, I have noticed a number of problems arising. This can be seen in terms of the roles given and also individual problems when one person refuses to do a task. Also, it can be where there are a set of people who do not want to cooperate or participate due to a feud ongoing between them. This was common with my coaching of sport teams, since the players are very young, there were tendencies of fights between the individuals, whether it be inside or outside the sphere of the group, these feelings of negativity were brought into the team and affected everyone else’s performance.

A lot of the time, in the workplace, a type of problem may be seen when someone is out for their own wellbeing or self interest. This would cause a set-back for the group, and some tasks will be left undone. When a certain individual sets out to accomplish only his or her own goals, a lot of things are left un-taken-care-of.

Subtopic 3: Effectiveness of Individual Communication Styles

In my experiences during my career, there have been problems in communication. Some people really just did not understand others, and this created problems in the workplace. Everyone would expect others to adapt to their own style and their own way of doing this, and this created chaos within the group.

This came in many different forms such as language, culture or even a person’s level of openness. During my job in the construction industry, I had to communicate with a lot of different people: architects, engineers, contractors, etc. These people all had different communication styles, and it came as relevant to their position. I was also my job to understand these communication styles, and make them work for the better of the project.

Subtopic 4: Dynamics and Themes of the Group

The group’s dynamics are seen within the social relationships within the group. This was very evident in the basketball and baseball teams I had coached in the past. This was because the team shared common interests in sports, and they were also of the same age range. These common interests would connect them and this would separate them from other individuals who may have been randomly selected.

In my career experiences, people came together for a number of reasons, and there were a lot of different people from different cultures, or different ages. However, the dynamics of the group were still seen in how they handled their jobs and there was a present theme of togetherness, since we would work on the same process. This makes our social relationship within the workplace connected because of a certain task, project or group.

The processes of group dynamics varied according to the work and the working environment. This included a lot of different aspects of the job, and it changed along with the change in tasks.

Subtopic 5: Attitudes and Skills of Group Members

During my career and through past experiences, there have been a number of members within a group who have had certain problems regarding their attitude, and this affected their tasks and placed question on their skills as a member. Individuals who are difficult hinder the entire group from productivity.

An example of this was found in my baseball team, an individual wanted to play as pitcher, but I knew that he was quick on his feet and very attentive, making him perfect for the position of short-stop. However, his attitude did not allow me to decide for him, and he believed he knew better than me. This affected how everyone played, and when placed in the position of my choosing, he would not commit to his role and play his part for the betterment of the team. This stopped out productivity as a group and brought the entire team down.

 Subtopic 6: What Constitutes Effective Participation and Leadership?

A team or a group has to be very comfortable with each other for the effective participation of all members. I experienced this through working in a construction company where everyone loved our group leader. Because everyone admired and respected our leader, there was an ongoing communication flow and there was effective participation seen in all group members. This great type of leadership is rare, and usually people do not like to follow orders from a leader which they do not generally like or respect.

Reflections

Subtopic 1: Roles of Group Members

Throughout my experiences in working with these small groups, I have noticed the need for people to set roles and ethics within group members. It is really important for the progressiveness of the group to have a leader and contributors. With the baseball and basketball teams I coached, I have noticed that my role as their coach needed to be established within them, and also each player had a specific role in which he had to commit to. For example, in baseball, we cannot have two people on the same base, only one person is assigned to this, and he needs to understand and commit to his role in order for the effectiveness of the entire team. This role was to be communicated by me, and understood by the team members.

The same applies for my roles within other aspects of my career. Since I worked within a group, and not individually, certain roles had to be set and established among the group to create an understanding, as well as to ensure that all aspects of the project are covered; this is done by giving each person a specific task or function within the group. Each group member is responsible for carrying out his or her own role for the effectiveness of the organization as a whole.

Subtopic 2: Group Problem Solving Processes

I have noticed that there is a certain process which needs to be executed when handling a problem within a group. This requires much communication from all members included. There has to be an open flow of contribution on everyone’s part, and no feelings or problems can be left without proper mediation because it can be seen as destructive.

I have seen that jealousy and an individual’s priority focusing on self-interest can harm the group’s performance, and in order to know this problem, and open communication must be made throughout the group. Before this is set, it must be established within the group that there are certain goals and objectives a group is set to accomplish, and anything which is hindering the group from reaching these goals must be communicated to the leader of the group. In the case of the baseball and basketball team, it was my job to mediate these problems and come to a resolve as soon as possible, before the problem worsens.

Subtopic 3: Effectiveness of Individual Communication Styles

When it came to individual communication styles, it either worked for the group or it didn’t. This all depended on how well everyone embraced different communication styles of people. This was seen a lot within the workplace with conflicting characters and personalities of individuals. A lot of the time it came to a problem of understanding each other and this lead to frustration. When someone did not understand another’s communication style, this lead to mistakes within the group, and often there would be someone to blame.

When this type of miscommunication is seen in the group, a lot of chaos comes about and there would be problems within the group which would arise and become personal. The only way to get through to these problems within communication and individual styles is for everyone to understand other people’s individual communication styles and use this for the better productivity within the group, for the achievement of the organization’s overall goals and objectives.

Subtopic 4: Dynamics and Themes of the Group

Group members within the sporting groups I coached would influence each other’s behaviors. This was because of the time they spent together, their relationships with each other, and an unspoken understanding between team members. It included their way of thinking, their emotions, behaviors and other aspects. I saw this with how the kids would act and talk to each other. It was as if they were part of a family, and they had a code between them. They would welcome new members in a certain type of way, and it was almost ritualistic. Along with this dynamic and theme of togetherness comes a bond.

This was also present in the workplace, when people generally spend a lot of time together; they develop an understanding and influence each others’ behaviors and actions. You can see people start to change in their ways when they open up to other group members, and they do this in a positive way when there are healthy relationships within the group.

Subtopic 5: Attitudes and Skills of Group Members

Attitude is very hard to correct, especially when dealing with kids. There needs to be a certain type of authority which is established among everyone, it has to be understood that the team needs people to listen and cooperate. It should be that the leader is trusted enough in his or her position and authority that he or she knows what best skills would fit certain roles within the group. And, it is also the group leader’s job to know which individual possesses these skills.

This comes as a challenge when dealing with group members who are hard-headed and believe that they know better than the leader. It is very difficult to change someone’s mind when they are not open to others’ opinion, and when they are set on one thing. This is very individualistic and can result in lack of progression from the group as a whole, and it can sometimes turn group members against each other.

 Subtopic 6: What Constitutes Effective Participation and Leadership?

Group participation and the effectiveness of all this comes down to great leadership. A good leader is someone who does not abuse his or her power, and works for the benefit of the organization. When everyone is happy with how the leader conducts things, there is no tension within the group, and the leader sets a good example for everyone in the workplace.

A good leader is not necessarily someone who is lax and  lets everyone do whatever it is they want, he or she is someone who can relate to his or her subordinates and rule with a firm hand, gaining their respect and establishing authority.

Generalizations / Principles / Theories

Subtopic 1: Roles of Group Members

Each role in a group pertains to a different task or aspect in a certain project. Roles differ in their procedures and tasks; some may relate to tasks within the group, and other roles may be to promote interaction within the group.

There are several roles within a group in order to complete a certain project or task. For example: an initiator or contributor who would generate new ideas, the information gatherer who would offer facts for the group to work with, a coordinator who would synthesize the ideas, evaluator who would set up standards for the group to meet, and so on.

A group also requires people to take social roles in order to keep the group together and communication ongoing. These roles can be played at the same time as task roles and they can be in the form of: a harmonizer who would mediate group members’ differences, an observer who makes sure everyone is on track, a gatekeeper who ensures all communication channels are open within the group, etc.

Group roles can also be harmful when taken in the individualistic perspective. This is when a group member would focus on him or herself above the group as a whole. This can be seen as destructive to the group and would cause a disparity among members. This can include a dominator who takes control over group members through manipulation, a recognition seeker who calls out attention for himself and the tasks he has accomplished, or a blocker who might resist group movement because of numerous reasons such as jealousy.

All these roles vary within groups, and can change according to the diversity in personality of individuals. The types of roles can also depend on how big the group is, and what kind of project it is.

Subtopic 2: Group Problem Solving Processes

First of all, it must be decided among the group if there is a problem to be solved, and if the problem is directly relating to the group’s performance. The problem must be then identified and clarified. The roots of this problem should also be known. After there is an understanding of the problem and where it came from, there should be potential solutions generated to solve such problems. These solutions are not supposed to be rushed into, they would have to be evaluated and only the best and most effective solution is to be picked. Once the solution is made known to all group members, this must be implemented and constant monitoring on the part of the group leader is highly required to ensure that there are no backslides regarding the problem. Once the problem is fixed, and the solution is put into play, group members must be monitored and an outcome must be evaluated. This is for the group leader to take not of, so that if ever a problem similar to this arises in the future, the group leader will be well aware of a solution and a way of handling it. Problem solving within a group is a constant learning process, and it involves everyone within the group to work together.

Subtopic 3: Effectiveness of Individual Communication Styles

Individual communication styles depend on a person’s personality and character, there are some people who are just more open than others, and other people who are more reserved. When these characters conflict each other, problems arise. A good way of using these individual communication styles is to first identify who in the group has a certain communication style, and then fit that person in a role which best suits his or her style.

For example, a very open person who gets straight to the point and likes to have control over a lot of things can communicate very confidently without any frills, this person can be a good group leader. The task of this person which is to lead the group effectively coincides with the group’s need for direction and control. Someone who is patient with other people and listens can be a group’s collaborator. He or she can listen to other people’s perspectives, ideas and opinions and take note of all of them, putting no bias between them. And, someone who is more reserved and would like to work with statistics, analyses and data more can provide all the information for the group and do the initial research.

Subtopic 4: Dynamics and Themes of the Group

The dynamics of a group is generally a psychological and a communication study between two or more individuals. Within these processes includes the norms of the group, relationships, development and roles found within the group. All these processes affect small group behavior and the behavior of the individual when communicating with the group.

This is seen in the organizational development of the group and can be related to the “group process” which is the behavior of people within the groups, including group tasks, problem solving and decision making. Each group is unique and highly depends on all its members to determine what type of theme and group they are. Since different groups are formed with different reasons, processes may vary and tasks change.

The group process can be seen in a number of different ways which can include the pattern of how members communicate and their coordination, how they are influenced by others and how they influence others, members’ roles and their relationships with others, how members balance tasks with their social focuses, etc. And these can determine how effective the group is in accomplishing the organizational goals.

Subtopic 5: Attitudes and Skills of Group Members

It should be established within the group the authority of the leader. All group members must know that the leader knows what is best for the group, this should be well communicated and a level of trust should be put on the group members for their leader. These difficult group members who may hinder progress within the group can be seen as people who are not responsive, who think they deserve a higher position, someone who may abuse his or her power, or someone who does not effectively use his or her skills for the benefit of the organization.

This limits any type of productivity within the group and difficult members must be dealt with right away. This is seen as common in children, and can also arise in adults. However, when it comes to correcting adults, there is a bigger problem because most cannot take correction from someone of their peer.

Subtopic 6: What Constitutes Effective Participation and Leadership?

A good leader is someone who has followers; you can tell that a leader is of poor quality when there is no one that follows his or her rule. When there is a good leader, and a healthy balance of roles within the organization, there is active participation from the members, and this results in the effectiveness of the group as a whole, and the leader can better implement tasks and objectives for the group to fulfill.

Testing and Application

Subtopic 1: Roles of Group Members

A role must be established within a group for the group to move along successfully. With my previous jobs, there have been problems when it came to group member roles, and some people would have interest in the same roles. I think that a way to face this problem is to establish first a group leader who has the authority to assign roles. However, problems can arise if ever the group leader abuses his or her power and uses the status given to him in a manipulative or ego-centric way.

To minimize conflict within the group there must be a type of harmony found within the members, and for the group t have an understanding of the importance of their roles as well as the roles of others. These roles are very important to groups in order for the full effectiveness or the organization as a whole, group members must work together and accomplish their tasks according to their roles.

Subtopic 2: Group Problem Solving Processes

Before a problem is addressed within a group, the right communication should be established, and all members must be comfortable with opening-up with their problems within a group. It should be the group leader’s job to assure the members of the group that there is confidentiality within the group, and all problems are going to be solved for the better effectiveness of the group as a whole.

It must also be known to all group members that there is no problem too big or too small for the group to handle and tackle. Because there is a group, a team effort is required. This is seen very important especially in my career in the transportation industry where many problems with communication arose, fingers were pointed and there was a general lack in group communication. If there was an establishment of trust and understanding within the group, problems would have been dealt with in an easier way, and will not take a toll on the productivity of the team.

Subtopic 3: Effectiveness of Individual Communication Styles

The first step in handing the authority to group members in order to complete a task is the responsibility of the group leader. The leader must know the personality and the individual communication styles of each group member so that all tasks within the group are well covered. The effectiveness of individual communication styles will only take place when one acknowledges others’ differences and uses this for the betterment of the group.

There should be no barriers when it comes to group communication, and individual communication styles can make or break a group. It should be established within the group that there needs to be an understanding of other people’s communication styles, and conflicting personalities must be resolved.

In order to improve my own communication style, I first looked into myself and analyzed what type of person I was. Secondly, I asked other people what they thought of my work style and ethics. This helped me know what style I had and it also made it clear for me what roles suit me the best in order for my individual communication style to be effective within the organization.

Subtopic 4: Dynamics and Themes of the Group

Since different groups gather for different reasons, the dynamics and themes of groups highly vary. It should be first established why the group has come together, and all roles within the group must be determined. When a group first comes together, it is really hard to determine how they would work together, and there still may be some reservation on the parts of the members who are not yet fully comfortable in working with the group. However, as time goes by, the group’s dynamics and their theme will soon arise, and patterns within the group’s communication can be seen.

When all aspects of a group’s processes are determined and evident, this will create a better understanding of how the group works together and their balance with each other. This awareness can improve the group and lead the group to more success in future projects. When the patters are identified, each member should be aware of his or her contribution to the group and the group process as a whole, then the individual should take the initiative to change what is needed to be changed for the better improvement of the group as a whole.

Subtopic 5: Attitudes and Skills of Group Members

To be able to deal with the attitudes of group members, the leader must let them know in an open way of communication that he or she believes that a certain individual posses a type of skill which the leader thinks best suits him or her for a specific role. This should be done in a positive way, almost praising the individual for that skill. This may change their heart towards their initial feelings about a certain role, and it can sway their attitude, if ever they pose a difficult attitude for the leader.

I incorporated this with my experience in coaching the baseball team where I had to sit the individual down and properly explain to him why I believed he had the certain skills for a particular position. I did this in a way where I let him know that his skill is like no other I have seen, and the only way to improve it and be better at what he does is to listen to my advise as his coach.

Subtopic 6: What Constitutes Effective Participation and Leadership?

To be a good leader and gain the trust of my followers, I must first look within myself and change any attitude which can be seen as self-motivated. The role of the leader as I see it is to be the authority over the team in order to guide them towards the achievement of certain goals within the organization. It is not something to be abused or taken for granted. My team and group members trust me to be a good leader and to know what is best for them in order for our goals to be achieved, and for there to be active participation from all group members.

Conclusion

I have had many experiences in working with groups, and have met a lot of different people. What I have learned is that leadership is very important, and the role of authority must be established within the group to ensure productivity among all members. When there is no leadership, or respect for the leader within the members, chaos arises within the group, and no objectives can be completed. It is the leader’s responsibility to maintain order within the group, and to delegate tasks and roles according to the skills he or she sees present within an individual. It is also the leader’s priority to establish rules among members and also to create awareness for individual communication styles within the group, all negative attitudes within the group are to also be dealt with by the leader. Groups come together for many different reasons, and the dynamics and themes within all groups are seen as different. For the full effectiveness and productivity of a group, all these needs to be determined and established with all members.