Group Communication Paper

Following is information regarding ways to form Group Formation and Communication within the organization. The outline of group formation and communication is based on five stages of group development; the role of group communication, how to analyze barriers that may exist and the description of technique's to overcome those barriers while enhancing group communication. This information will assist you with your new role as you introduce the new employees to the rest of the team.

The five stages of group development are forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. Within these five stages communication plays a very important role. In the past, the more the team communicated with each member throughout those five stages, the more effective the team became. In the first stage the group members were not sure what types of behaviors each member had. The group is just getting together and do not know what to expect from each member. Communication started at a minimum during this stage. Without the forming stage the group would not be able to hold the members accountable for their actions. . Stage two is one of intra group conflict. Members accept the existence of the group but resist the constraints it imposes on individuality. There is conflict over who will control the group. Stage three was complete when the group structure solidifies and the group has assimilated a common set of expectations of what defines correct member behavior, the development can move into the next stage of carrying out tasks. Stage four is performing the structure at this point the group is fully functional and accepted. Group energy has moved from getting to know and understand each other to performing the task at hand. The final stage, used mostly in temporary groups is the stage of the group development when each member's focus is on finishing his or her tasks (Robbins & Judge, 2011). The five stages of developing groups is an important part of the position. As the stages progress, the communication changed from minimum to each member deciding where he or she fit best in the group. More information is expressed about each member, and the team begins to feel like a group that he or she can trust a member to lead the group. Once the group is established the team focuses on a goal and the relationships start to form opening a more personal form of communication. Each member of the group is comfortable and relaxed with the team to handle the group's tasks effectively. In many cases it is the relationships that a person will have with other individuals that will determine the right members to put into different groups. There have been several times where new employees have been placed with groups that did not enhance each other's roles and there were conflicts. The different skill sets that individuals have are also an important part in placing group members together. The observation of the groups placed together will be a good gauge in learning how some of the individuals work and observing