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