UNIT III:
COMMUNICATING IN
GROUPS AND TEAMS
.
Chapter 9
Understanding Group and Team
Communication
Communication Principles
Appropriately
adapt your
message to
others
Listen and
respond
thoughtfully to
others
Be aware of
your
communication
Effectively use
and
interpret
nonverbal
messages
Effectively use
and
interpret verbal
messages
Understanding Group and Team
Communication
 Groups and Teams Defined
 Types of Groups and Teams
 Group and Team Dynamics
 Group and Team Phases of Development
 Diversity in Groups and Teams: Adapting to
Differences
Groups and Teams Defined
 Communicating In Small Groups




consists of a small number of people
common purpose
sense of belonging
members exert influence on others in the group
 Small group communication is the transactive
process of creating meaning among 3 to 15 people
who share a common purpose, who feel a sense of
belonging, and who exert influence on each other.
Groups and Teams Defined
 Communicating In Teams

A team is a coordinated group of people
organized to work together to achieve a
specific, common goal.
Groups and Teams Defined
 Distinctions Between Groups and Teams

Teams develop clearly defined responsibilities for
team members.

Teams have clearly defined rules for team operation.

Teams develop clear goals.

Teams develop a way of coordinating their efforts.
Characteristics of Effective Team
Members
 Experience
 Problem-Solving
Ability
 Openness
 Supportiveness
 Action Oriented
 Positive Personal Style
Understanding Types of Groups and Teams
 Primary Groups
 exist to fulfill the basic human need of
associating with others
 Study Groups
 meet to learn new ideas
 Therapy Groups
 exist to provide treatment for the personal
problems that group members may have
Understanding Types of Groups and Teams
 Problem Solving Groups
 exist to resolve an issue or overcome an
unsatisfactory situation or obstacle to achieve
a goal
 Focus Groups
 small groups of people who are asked to
discuss a particular topic or issue
 Social Groups
 exist just for the joy of socializing with others
Chapter 9: Understanding Group and Team Communication
Understanding Group and Team Dynamics
 Roles

consistent ways you communicate with others
in a group
 Types of Roles



task
social
individual
Chapter 9: Understanding Group and Team Communication
Understanding Group and Team Dynamics
 Rules

team ground rules
 Norms

standards that determine what is
appropriate and inappropriate
behavior in a group
 Status

an individual’s importance and
prestige
Chapter 9: Understanding Group and Team Communication
Understanding Group and Team Dynamics
 Power
 the ability to influence others’ behavior
 Types of Power





legitimate (respect for position)
referent (based on attraction)
expert (influence from a person’s knowledge)
reward (ability to satisfy needs)
coercive (sanctions and punishment)
Chapter 9: Understanding Group and Team Communication
Understanding Group and Team Dynamics
 Cohesiveness

degree of attraction
that members of a
group feel toward
one another and the
group
Chapter 9: Understanding Group and Team Communication
Understanding Group and Team Dynamics
Cohesive Groups
Emphasize “we” rather than “I”
Reinforce good attendance
Establish group traditions
Set clear goals
Encourage participation
Celebrate accomplishing goals
Stress teamwork and collaboration
Uncohesive Groups
Emphasize individual contributions
Less emphasis on attendance
Less effort to develop traditions
Avoid setting goals
Limit participation
Discourage group celebration
Stress individual accomplishment
Chapter 9: Understanding Group and Team Communication
Understanding Group and Team Dynamics
 Communication Interaction Patterns

a pattern of communication that identifies the
frequency of who talks to whom
 Networks of Communication



all-channel
chain
wheel
Understanding Group and Team Dynamics
 All-Channel Network

everyone talks to everyone else
Understanding Group and Team
Dynamics
 Chain Network

people convey a message through one person
at a time
Understanding Group and Team
Dynamics
 Wheel Network

one person receives most of the messages
Understanding Group and Team Phases of
Development
 Orientation

primary tension
 Conflict

secondary tension
 Emergence

conflict is reduced
 Reinforcement

group develops a sense of “we”
 Process Nature of Group Phases
Understanding Diversity in Groups and
Teams
 Differences in Working Collectively or
Individually

individualism and collectivism
 Differences in the Use of Time

monochronic/polychronic
 Differences in the Use of Personal Space

high-contact/low-contact