Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapter 4 (Notes)
Chapter 4 (Notes)
Cragan, Kasch and Wright (2009) stated that communication behaviours are vital for
groups to achieve their goals (functional concept). “These leadership behaviours that
communication scholars have isolated occur in any good discussion, but the initiator
of them is not necessarily the appointed or natural leader of the group (p.196) “.
These authors have classified communication behaviour into three categories – task,
procedural and interpersonal leadership skills. Adams & Galanes (2018) have also
classified the behaviours group members look forward their leaders to perform into
three – performing administrative duties, leading group discussion and developing
the group. In this section, we will focus on communication behaviours as suggested
by Cragan, Kasch and Wright (2009). The tables below summarises the three
categories of communication behaviours with examples of phrase or sentences that
can be used in performing the behaviours.
Leader or active members are expected to initiate task related leadership skills in
order to brainstorm and evaluate ideas and move the group towards achieving the
goals. There are six vital skills in this area.
Contributing ideas
- It is an essential part of any task. From my point of view,.....
- Ideas are presented for the first I’d like to point out that.....
time by the group members. Personally, I think .....
- High level of task knowledge As far as I am concerned, .....
enhances the contribution of George, in my opinion, one of the
ideas. best ways to overcome food
- Brainstorming is used as a wastage is by giving tax incentive
technique to generate ideas. for food donation.
- This leadership skill increases the
opportunity to generate more
ideas (quantity over quality)
Seeking ideas What do you think about this idea
- It is an important part of any group Daniel?
discussion to seek for ideas from Shiela, what is your opinion in this
group members. matter?
- It is especially useful if the Can you explain this matter
members are silent or reluctant to further?
share their ideas. Zen, could you please share your
- It is wise to seek for ideas without thoughts on the solution proposed
disrupting the positive group by Alie?
atmosphere (members should not
feel threatened).
These leadership skills are concerned with how the group accomplishes its task. A
designated leader or experienced members are normally expected to perform these
functions. There are 7 skills in this area.
Goal setting
- It is a significant skill that helps us The goals that our team have to
to decide the purpose of forming achieve are .....
the group. The aim of forming this discussion
- The purpose or the goal is always group is to .......
open for discussion and
modification as continual
evaluation regulates the ideas in
terms of its fixed purposes.
Agenda making
- It is a skill that helps the group to We are going to organise a
achieve the goals in orderly campaign to achieve our sales’
manner (how to achieve). target.
- It is also referred as” map- The solution has to be
making”. implemented by following the
procedures that we have agreed.
Clarifying
- It is a needed skill to ensure all I don’t quite get you. Could you
group members understand what please explain?
is being said or discussed. The idea seems vague. Would
- It is common to have an you mind explaining?
unorganised discussion as Let me restate your point in my
everyone will put forth their own words to see if I understand
opinions. Lack of clarity may it.
cause misunderstandings. What do you mean by that?
- Therefore, group discussion
requires clarification to be effective
and successful.
Summarising
- It is internal summaries that help In short, .....
to establish the idea of discussion In brief,.....
in the minds of the group To summarize, .....
members.
- Internal summary reminds the As discussed, domestic violence
group members about the idea has physical, emotional and
that has been discussed before psychological consequences on
moving to a new idea. the victim.
- It is necessary that each point in
the agenda to be presented,
discussed and summarised.
Verbalising consensus
- Getting consensus from group I would like to know your stand on
members on an agenda item is this matter before we proceed to
necessary before continuing with a the next issue.
new item. Everyone seems to agree with the
- This process occurs frequently idea proposed by Sam.
throughout the discussion. If there is no objection, we shall
- Decision making or getting proceed to the next item in our
agreement from every member of agenda.
the group does not have to wait
until the end of the discussion.
- This skill effectively enhances the
decision making process.
which are addressing the social-emotional needs of the group members (the first
four skills) and dealing with ideational and interpersonal obstacles.
Climate making
- Leader should furnish and
maintain a positive group
atmosphere which allows
members to have a sense of
psychological safety.
- When the atmosphere is perceived
as safe, group members tend to
exchange ideas and feelings and
vice versa.
- Conflicts and disagreements are
bound to happen but this positive
atmosphere gives an assurance
that rules governing the
functioning of group will not be
violated.