Participation and Leadership in Groups

1
Participation and Leadership in Groups
2
Functional Theory

• Benne Sheats functional behaviors that occur
  in groups (p. 50-52).
• What are two roles in each category and give
  examples of accompanying behaviors?
• How do self-centered roles affect group
  interaction?
• What roles might you take on, based on your
  personality?
• Why is it important to have task and maintenance
  roles represented in a group?

3

• Group Task Functions
• Initiator
• Information seeker
• Information giver
• Opinion seeker
• Opinion giver
• Clarifier-summarizer
• Evaluator-critic
• Energizer
• Procedural technician
• Recorder-secretary

• Group Maintenance Functions
• Encourager-supporter
• Harmonizer
• Compromiser
• Tension Releaser
• Gatekeeper
• Observer-Interpreter
• Follower

• Self-Centered Roles
• Aggressor
• Blocker
• Dominator
• Recognition Seeker
• Clown
• Deserter
• Confessor

4
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

• Extrovert
• Sensor
• Thinker
• Judger
• Introvert
• Intuitive
• Feeler
• Perceiver

What four areas best represent your personality??
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Consider

• What does my personality type tell me about how I
  will interact in groups?
• What will be my primary contribution for this
  team?
• How do I feel about my role?
• What are other roles that I would enjoy?
• What are barriers to my creative contributions?
• PLEASE focus on these items for one of the next
  journal entries. Also, complete book assignments
  on page 93, 120, and 142.

6
Guidelines for Participation

• Preparednesswhatever that means for your group.
• WillingnessTo listen, to participate, to keep an
  open mind. Also, willingness to be a follower.
• (We place great value on leaders, but followers
  are underappreciated do you agree or disagree
  with this statement?)
• AbleKnow your competencies and your boundaries.

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Challenges

• Disruptive membersdo you agree with the accept,
  confront, exclude strategies that your authors
  present?
• Are there other ways to manage disruptive
  members?
• Hidden agendasWhat could some hidden agendas
  could some of your group members have? How can
  those be overcome?

8
Important Definitions for Cultural Considerations

• Power distance, low/high
• Uncertainty avoidance
• Individualism/collectivism
• High context (self-monitor)/low context
  (self-monitor)

9
Dimensions of Team TalkVerbal Communication

• IdentificationUsing plural pronouns.
• InterdependenceExpressing needy language.
• Power differentiationTalking on equal terms.
• Social distanceUsing casual language.
• Conflict management techniquesProblem solving,
  nonthreatening tone, nonjudgmental language,
  using mirroring technique.
• Negotiation processOpen-ended questions,
  objectivity, summarizing areas of agreement.