1
Running Head: NO CONFLICT IN
No Conflict in this Breakfast Club
Lacie Hyder
University of Tennessee
No conflict in
2
As a member of the best group EVER, I got to work with five other amazing
people to complete several group assigned tasks. I’m not one to look forward to group
assignments, but once I learned the concept of group roles and how it fit into my group, I
instantly changed my mind. For my two group communication topics to describe my
group experience I chose group roles and brainstorming. As part of a group that had
members fitting each one of the different group roles, it was easy for us to work hard and
all get along well enough to complete our tasks stress free. The Breakfast Club had no
problems contacting each and every member whenever they were needed. Every member
put in the same amount of effort to get all our projects finished. Although we had a group
leader who volunteered to take most control of every assignment, every member still
worked just as hard.
Group roles played a huge part in the Breakfast Club. Of all the different types of
group roles, my group filled six of them: task leader, social/emotional leader, central
negative, information provider, tension releaser and silent observer. The task leader, the
person who takes on the position as leader and makes the majority of decisions for the
group, was always very positive. She was never demanding or controlling but always
easygoing and never hard to get along with like some people in leadership positions.
Secondly was the social/emotional leader. This person was second to being “group
leader” and was also always positive, ready to work with the group and looking forward
to getting things done. My role in the group was the central negative or person who was
always challenging everyone. I was the one always questioning and asking why, and
making sure that everyone was thinking critically. This role is a positive one because it
helps the group think another way and is still in favor of the group.
No conflict in
3
Another role that was filled in my group was the information provider. This
person is a know it all and can be asked for answers anytime. The most rewarding person
in my group was the tension releaser. The tension releaser is the person who knows how
to alleviate conflict without getting the group off task. The tension releaser was always
there full of jokes ready to work and make everyone laugh even while we were focused.
Lastly, the sweetest and quietest member was known as the silent observer. This person is
not a social loafer. The silent observer will do work, but will not contribute to groups
conversation. They make good secretaries and while they may have good ideas, they
aren’t likely to share them. These people need to be brought out of their shell. The silent
observer in my group always went out of her way without even talking to contribute to
the group by volunteering for the main part of our presentations, the Power Points.
Since each member of my group fit a different group role, this had a positive
effect on the way we worked together and accomplished our goals. Each member worked
together very well, with little or no conflict within the group at all. Even though we
would cut close to a deadline and sometimes all members wouldn’t be present at a group
meeting, we never let it get between us. Everyone always kept a positive attitude and was
always willing to help out in any way that they could. Everyone seemed to contribute the
same amount of effort towards every assignment and was always willing to take a larger
workload. The Breakfast club was lucky to not have any social loafers but instead a group
of six hard working individuals willing to take on any challenge.
Another theory that could be related to my group experience is brainstorming.
Brainstorming is a group problem-solving technique in which members spontaneously
share ideas and solutions. Also it is the gathering of information or the generation of
No conflict in
4
ideas within a group. Brainstorming consists of four rules, Osborn’s rules. The first is to
create as many ideas as possible. This was no task for my group; we were always full of
ideas for group presentations. Secondly, to create “wild & off the wall” ideas, which
again was no problem for the Breakfast club. This was actually a huge factor for our last
group presentation. After watching a day of presentations we decided to go out of our
way to entertain the class and present what we actually thought Mr. Levine wanted to see.
Therefore we created a quick and easy skit that was humorous, or to us at least. Thirdly,
is piggy backing or taking someone’s ideas and working with them. My group always
had several ideas, some better than others, so we took each and every one and attempted
to combine then and create the best idea to complete our assignment. The last rule of
brainstorming is to express your ideas without self-censoring yourself.
Brainstorming is to be thought of as a process with four parts. First identify the
problem, then idea generation, evaluation and finally implementation. My group had no
problem brainstorming or coming up with wild and off the wall ideas. We all expressed
our ideas freely and to the entire group with the exception of our shy member, the silent
observer, who still gave some ideas from time to time. Our group seemed to work very
well together even when we had different ideas that we really wanted to use. A lot of the
time we were able to combine our ideas or even compromise and come to an agreement
where we would use the better idea. Since we all started to become familiar with each
other, towards the end brainstorming was never a problem. We always agreed with the
first couple of ideas that were presented.
The Breakfast Club always came up with ideas for presentations, took the time to
divide up work equally, shared information among the group, interacted constantly
No conflict in
5
whether it be for group work or outside of class and always came together to present a
fun and some what entertaining presentation for the class. Even at times when we thought
we weren’t organized, the Breakfast Club always pulled through at the last minute before
presenting to tie up loose ends and give a strong, flowing presentation or assignment.
Another theory you could add to our group is the social facilitation theory or the idea that
we do our best when we are performing. The only downfall to our group was time and
with everyone being so involved with other activities, we had to work around each
other’s outside lives to come together. This didn’t stop us from all getting along, working
hard, and sticking out tough assignments.
All together I feel like all the theories presented in this paper had a positive effect
on my group, The Breakfast Club. With the knowledge and experience I had this past
semester working with five independent and outgoing individuals, I felt like our group
was almost perfect. With little conflict, no social loafers and members that were always
ready to work and get the job done; I feel that my group was successful overall. With
already knowing one member, but making other friendships with everyone else it was
easy for me to open up immediately. Also, with a little help from our tension releaser,
everyone was always ready to laugh and get to know each other on a different level even
while having to do work within a group. Some people don’t look forward to group
projects or being part of a group period, but I think it’s safe to say that everyone in my
group would agree that all of us would be willing to work together again anytime.