Group Effectiveness

Group effectiveness is not just happenstance. It is not a

matter of luck. Instead, effective groups are orchestrated,

much as good symphonies are conducted from well-written

scores. In each case, knowledge of certain techniques is

required as well as preparation and practice.

This packet contains techniques for organizing effective

groups. It includes information on:

A) The Balance Between Tasks and Relationships

-Identifying work roles

-Being aware of members needs and strengths

B) Group Members' Roles

-Understanding different roles members play

-Identifying ways to increase functional roles

C) The Facilitator's Role

-Keeping the discussion on target

-Encouraging greater participation

D) Process Observation

-Identifying reasons for sharpening observation skills

-Learning techniques for observing groups

THE DELICATE BALANCE

Groups have delicate balancing acts to perform. On one

hand, they need to be task-oriented; on the other, they

want to promote good group relationships. Group members

concentrate on tasks and relationships alternately

throughout a meeting, much as a teeter- totter functions.

Task

A group is a number of people gathered together to

accomplish a task. If a group is to be effective, its task

must be clearly identified and group members must reach a

common understanding and acceptance of their purpose

together. Group efforts are focused toward fulfilling the

stated task, or resolving the problems identified.

Relationship

A group is a number of people gathered together with

ideas, suggestions, and a need to contribute their skills

and abilities to resolve a problem.

Since groups are made of "a number of people", the

interactions which occur between group members are also

indicators of group strength. As members of a group

come together to work toward a particular goal, they bring

with them their personal sets of values, perspectives and

biases. They need time to build trust with each other

before they will share their ideas, opinions, and beliefs.

If ideas conflict, group members will need to work

toward a solution everyone can support.

Balance

Task and Relationship, the two main components of group

functioning, need to be in balance. Each aspect must be

emphasized if groups are to function effectively. If

emphasis on task accomplishment results in the neglect of

the people involved, the outcome will not be satisfactory

nor will the solution be supported by all group members. On

the other hand, if the majority of attention is given to

group relationships and relatively little to the task,

productive outcome may never be realized.

GROUPS MEMBER'S ROLES

Group members choose various roles while they are in a

group. Their behaviors (including conversations,

discussions ideas presented, comments, silences) move the

group closer or farther away from their responsibilities.

FUNCTIONAL OR NON- FUNCTIONAL

Group roles can be either functional or non- functional.

Functional roles contribute to the work or task the group

is doing. These roles can be such things as initiating,

informing, clarifying, reality. Each of these roles can

help the group accomplish its task.

Group roles can be functional when they help the group with

relationships or maintain the spirit of the group. These

functional roles can be harmonizing, gate keeping,

consensus testing, encouraging, and compromising. All of