Starting to Work in Groups
Getting off on the right feet
 Common complaints
about group work
 Importance of
superordinate goals
 Ideas for your first meeting
What are the most common
complaints about working in groups?
 Some group members may appear to have a lack of commitment to the group  Group members may have differing definitions of expected work quality
 Members do not share a common understanding about responsibilities
 One or two people do all the work
 Personality clashes amongst some group members
Superordinate Goals
Produce an
Excellent Product
Enjoy the
experience
Get an A in
the class
Spend the least
amount of time
possible
Have other
people like me
Push my ideas
on others
During your first group meeting(s)
 Understand the dimensions that occur in decision‐making groups
 Task  Productivity
 Social  Cohesiveness
 Pay attention to primary tension
 Introductions/Share contact information
 Explicitly establish group expectations “norms”
WO O
 Schedule your next meeting Window
Of Opportunity
Group Expectations
 Define what the group expects
specific
realistic
 Get agreement on group expectations  Identify how the group will address “violations” of the stated expectations
 Think: Non‐judgmental, respectful, and DOCUMENTED
 Focus on superordinate goal, expectation(s), and consequences if behavior continues
 Consider COW
Clarify expectations
Oral discussion
Written warning
Suggestions
 Schedule a task with a quick deadline
 Create an agenda for the next meeting
facilitator
 Rotate key task roles at meetings recorder
 Summarize “To‐Do’s” at the end of the meeting
 Develop a group identity
 Set up a communication plan
 Clarify with your supervisor what to do if someone violates the group’s stated expectations
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 What is your major complaint about working in groups?
 What can the group do in its first meeting to minimize the likelihood of your major complaint occurring?
 Can you think of other suggestions to help the group function more effectively?