EFFECTIVE
GROUP
DISCUSSION
Theory and Practice
Twelfth Edition
C H A P T E R 13
Serving as
Designated Leader
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Chapter Content
 Group-Centered, Democratic
Leadership
 Responsibilities & Techniques of
Leaders
 Administrative Duties
 Leading Discussions
 Developing the Group
 Ethical Principles for Group Leaders
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Group-Centered, Democratic
Leadership
 Leadership style depends on situation
 Democratic leadership is ideal
 Distributed leadership
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Leader as “Completer”
Figure 13.1 The Leader as “Completer” of the Group
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Responsibilities & Techniques of
Leaders
Leaders should adjust based on:
1. Group’s purpose
2. Expectations of members
3. Member skills and maturity
4. Member involvement
5. Leader’s skill and experience
6. Time
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Responsibilities & Techniques of
Leaders
Good leaders:
1. Define the group’s goal
2. Foster a collaborative climate
3. Build members’ confidence
4. Manage the team’s interaction
5. Structure the group’s tasks
6. Manage the group’s performance
7. Inspire confidence and loyalty
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Responsibilities & Techniques of
Leaders



Administrative duties
Leading discussions
Developing the group
Continued
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Administrative Duties

Assemble the group
1. Select group members carefully
2. Develop a group charter
3. Ensure members commit to group goals
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Administrative Duties

Plan for meetings
1.
2.
3.
4.
Define meeting’s purpose
Establish start and end times
Prepare and advise special attendees
Prepare the tools needed
Continued
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Administrative Duties

Plan for meetings
5.
6.
7.
8.
Make physical arrangements
Ensure technology works
Define how to evaluate the meeting
Notify members
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Administrative Duties



Follow up on meetings
Act as liaison
Virtual groups

Provide virtual space
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Administrative Duties

Manage written communication




Personal notes
Group records, minutes
Meeting notices and agendas
Formal reports and resolutions
Continued
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Personal Notes
Figure 13.2 A Discussion Leader’s Personal Notes
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Informal Minutes
Figure 13.4 Example of Typical, Informal Minutes From a Student Group
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Meeting Notice & Agenda
Figure 13.6 An Example of Combined Meeting Notice and Agenda
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Leading Discussions

Opening remarks
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Introduce members and guests
Explain meeting’s purpose and goals
Establish special roles
Distribute handouts
Establish ground rules
Suggest procedures
Focus initial discussion
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Leading Discussions

Regulate and structure discussions

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Decide on the level of formality
Keep the discussion goal-oriented
“Park” off-topic items
Use summaries as transitions
Move discussions forward
Close the discussion
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Leading Discussions

Equalize opportunity to participate
1. Address the group, not individuals
2. Allow members equal opportunity to
speak
3. Listen actively to all members
4. Avoid commenting after every remark
5. Withhold your opinions
6. Remain neutral during arguments
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Leading Discussions

Stimulate creative thinking
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Defer evaluation
Brainstorm
Search for more alternatives
Ask for improvements to solutions
Look for new areas of thinking
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Leading Discussions

Stimulate critical thinking
1. Suggest more problem analysis
2. Encourage critical evaluation
3. Ensure group accepts factors used in
making judgments
4. Test proposed solutions
5. Prevent groupthink
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Leading Discussions


Foster meeting-to-meeting
improvement
Regulate and structure discussions in
virtual groups
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Developing the Group

Help individuals grow
1. Encourage assessment of the group’s
processes
2. Model example behavior
3. Delegate needed group duties
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Developing the Group

Establish and maintain trust
1.
2.
3.
4.
Establish ethics-based norms
Confront problem members
Embrace the group’s diversity
Be a principled leader
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Developing the Group

Promote teamwork and cooperation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Plan group fun
Promote the group
Share all rewards with the group
Seek group input and buy-in
Confront problem members
Keep arguments focused on the issue
Seek compromise on divisive issues
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Developing the Group

Develop virtual groups


Online communities
Face-to-face meetings
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Ethical Principles for Group Leaders
1. Tell the truth
2. Place concern for others above
individual gain
3. Establish clear policies for the group
4. Respect all members
5. Stand behind members
6. Do not discriminate or show favoritism
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
As with any other desirable
behavior, the leader should model
ethical behavior as a standard for
members to follow. By doing so,
the leader creates a climate of
trust and a spirit of cohesiveness.
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.