Communicating in Groups

Advantages of Groups
Research shows that people are more committed to a decision when they are included in
the decision-making process. This is for 2 reasons:
Involving a group in the process of determining a policy or decision ensures they
are familiar with the nature, background and need for the policy
ttitudes tend to be more favourable because of the personal involvement in the
decision
!roups on the whole make decisions which are better than those of an individual working
alone.
"ore available information
"ore and better suggestions
"ore courageous decisions
#igher productivity
Disadvantages of groups
Time
!roup pressure
Talk rather than action
Factors affecting group effectiveness
$ohesiveness
%ncontrollable variables
The group si&e
$haracteristics of the group
'tatus and roles within the group
The environment ( physical location
The task
!roup interaction
)eadership
Making groups and committees work
ll too often people take part in group activities or committees which they find
dissatisfying without stoppint to reflect on the factors which can make or mar the
achievements of the group.
Running and taking part in meetings
*. Chairing meetings
$ontrolling the meeting
!uiding the meeting
'timulating discussion
$oping with the +hidden agenda,
2. Decision making methods
-ecision by authority
-ecision by ma.ority rule/voting
-ecision by consensus
-ecision by unanimity
0. Responsibilities of participants
ttitude
1reparation
2nowledge of group process
3. Duties of officers and members
4. The Agenda
5rder
1reparation and supporting documents
6. The minutes
R78I'I59 T51I$' from my lectures
"odels of $ommunication
:riting an essay
5ral vs written
1resentations
9on verbal
Written and Oral Communication Compared
WRITTE !RA"
Advantages
;etter for facts and opinions ;etter for feelings and emotions
;etter for difficult or complicated messages "ore personal and individual
%seful when a written record is re<uired 1rovides far greater interaction
$an be both written and read when individuals $an make more impact
in the right mood !enerally less costly
$an be carefully planned and considered llows for correction and ad.ustment
7rrors can be removed before sending in the light of feedback and non-
verbal clues
Disadvantages
"ore time consuming "ore difficult to think as you speak
=eedback is non-e>istent or delayed 'omething, once said cannot be
)acks non-verbal clues which help interpretation erased
'ome people cannot or do not like to read 1eople may look as though they are
?ou can never be sure the message is read or listening but may not be receiving
even received you
)acks warmth and individuality Things said will often get forgotten