What is small group communication?

 A small group consists of at least 3 or more people

interacting face to face,with or without an assigned
leader,in such a way that each person influences and is
influenced by every other person in the group.

 A group in any number of people who have a common

goal, interact with one another to accomplish their goal,
recognize one another's existence, and see themselves as
part of a group.

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CHARACTERISTICS:
Co-operation.
Face to face interaction.
Shared Perceptions.
Communication through verbal and
nonverbal way.

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 Types of Small Group and Their
Functions
The two major types of small groups
 Primary group
 Discussion group

Problem solving group

Primary group :
The Primary group functions as a support system for its
members.
 It is neither unusual nor particularly harmful for one member
of a primary group to occasionally dominate the conversation.
 It is essential that they maintain a balance between speaking3
 Participating in small group
 Responsibilities
 Communicating
 Speaking
 Listening and feedback
 by passing

Responsibilities
First responsibility as a group participant is to keep an open
mind toward the issue or problem being discussed as well as
toward the other members of the group.

Going one step further, it is important to show a certain sensitivity to the moods
and emotional tone of individuals, as well as of the group as a whole.
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 Communicating
Here are some ways to increase the effectiveness of your
communication as a group member.
 Speaking
• Address your comments to the group as a whole group
involvement is very important in this process.
• Relate your idea or opinion to what has been said, making the
connection clear when ever necessary.
 Listening & Feedback
• As a group member you must be both a speaker and listener.
It is just important to be able to listen effectively as it is to
speak effectively.
 By passing
• A verity of questions can overcome barriers to
communication in small group one such barrier is called by
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passing.
 Role structure & status
 Norms
 Functional role
• Task oriented roles
• Maintenance roles
• Self serving roles
 Norms
Over a period of time, all small groups develop a
set of norms, rules and expectations that are unique
to that group, based on the interaction among its
different members. These norms can be determined
what is acceptable in speech, dress and behavior in
the group. 7
 Functional Roles
The functional roles that develop within a group can be
divided in to two major categories.
•Task Oriented Roles •Maintenance Roles

1) Initiating discussion 1) Harmonizing

2) Information giving and seeking 2) Compromising

3) Opinion giving and seeking
4) Elaborating and clarifying
5) Orienting and summarizing
6) Consensus testing
3) Supporting and encouraging
other members
4) Get keeping
5) Standard setting & testing.

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 Self Serving Roles

This roles have a negative effect on the groups emotional

clement as well as on its ability to reach its goals. Self
serving roles include.
1) Blocking
2) With drawing
3) Dominating
4) Being aggressive
Leaders & Leadership
One or more members of a group become leaders by assuming
leadership roles, even if someone else has been assigned or
elected to that role. Actually, it is possible for a group to
demonstrate leadership effectively even when there is no
official leader. 9
Problem solving process

Recognizing the difficulty

Defining
Raising suggestion for positive solution
Selecting the best solution

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Three Basic Styles of Leadership
Leader

Group Decision
DEMOCRATIC
LEADER GUIDES: Leaves actual decisions to group

Leader

Group Decision
AUTOCRATIC
LEADER DIRECTS: Is strongly goal oriented & opinionated

Leader

Group Decision
LAISSEZ FAIRE
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LEADER ADVISES: Observes, and Records but does not direct
HOW TO COMMUNICATE THE SMALL GROUP IN
THE BUSINESS ORGANIZATION

Organization
Planning
Organization
Motivation Small Group
Communication Goal & develop skill
Controlling
Staffing
Leadership

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