Professional

Communications

GROUP WORK
Topics & Structure of
Lesson
• Group Work
• Introduction
• Communication flow in
groups
• Leadership roles

Slide 2 (of 14)

Slide 3 (of 14)

• At the end of this chapter, you should:

Learning • Understand the communication flow in

groups,
• Understand how leadership roles

Outcomes determine the communication flow,

• Understand how decisions can be made
in groups.
 Introduction

A group may consist of any number of people who interact and communicate with one
another to achieve specific aims or a common purpose.

Slide 4 (of 14)

 Both formal and informal information
flows in several directions in any group.
Communicatio • formal: computerised information system (data)

n Flow in • intranet, project reports and presentations.

• informal: conversations (over coffee, in corridors),

Groups memos and notice board.

In a formal group, directions of flow are

clear to senders and receivers because of
the organisational structure or hierarchy.

Slide 5 (of 14)

Communication Flow in Groups (cont.)
• Understanding how group communication works can help businesses improve their own
communication processes and protocols for employees. This can enable employees to:

• Compromise on polarizing topics;

• Explain diverse issues to colleagues;
• Influence major business decisions;
• Teach colleagues how to cooperate with one another;
• Lead colleagues to create plans and strategies to reach business goals;
• Build friendships and camaraderie with other employees; and
• Resolve conflicts without management interference.

• The key to improving group communication within the workplace is to build processes
and policies around communication best practices.
 Authoritarian

Leadership Paternalistic
Roles
Democratic/participative

Laissez-faire

Slide 7 (of 14)

Authoritarian Leadership
• An authoritarian leadership style is exemplified when a leader
• dictates policies and procedures,
• decides what goals are to be achieved,
• directs and controls all activities without any meaningful participation by the
subordinates.
Authoritarian Leadership

Advantage
Control for dangerous work environment or
situations requiring complicated tasks with
no room for error
Urgent short term results
Disadvantage
• Increased work burden and
stress
• Not suitable for highly skilled
workers and motivated workers

Suitable for inexperienced or unmotivated

workers
 Authoritarian

Leadership Paternalistic
Roles
Democratic/participative

Laissez-faire

Slide 7 (of 14)

Paternalistic Leadership
• An approach that involves a dominant authority figure but treats employees and
partners as though they are members of a large, extended family.
• The leader expects loyalty and trust from employees, as well as obedience.
• Understand that the authority figure knows what is best for the organization and
trust that their leader will always have an employee's best interests at heart.
• Employees are listened to, but the leader always makes the final decision.
Paternalistic Leadership
ADVANTAGE
• High employee loyalty due to employees feeling like they are being heard and their needs are
met.
• Most decisions will be made with the employees’ best interests taken into consideration
• Feedback is invited and encouraged
• There is an open line of communication between the managers and the employees which will
keep employees feeling important and satisfied.
• The manager is given the power to rule from the idea that they are the most capable in making
the best decisions for the team.
• Managers are very involved in the employee’s personal lives, which makes the employee feel
more connected at work.
Paternalistic Leadership
DISADVANTAGE
• Bad decisions from above cause major employee dissatisfaction.
• The employees will become more and more dependent on the employer, which can cause an
increase in necessary supervision in order to get things done in a timely and appropriate manner.
• If loyalty to the manager is not established quickly then there can be poor staff motivation.
• Managers can become blind with their power and make decisions that only benefit themselves.
• If roles are not well defined and employees do not know what is needed from them there can be
power struggles and internal issues.
 Authoritarian

Leadership Paternalistic
Roles
Democratic/participative

Laissez-faire

Slide 7 (of 14)

Democratic Leadership
• Redistribution of authority and power between managers and
employees to provide employee involvement in the process of
decision making.
• The leader is supposed to serve as a mediator and facilitator
between members of the group.
Democratic Leadership

Advantages Disadvantages
• Solve complex problems – • Can appear uncertain especially
employees collaborate and use during a crisis
consensus opinion • Time consuming
• Foster creative environments
• Create strong teams
• Empower team members
• Good business fit
 Authoritarian

Leadership Paternalistic
Roles
Democratic/participative

Laissez-faire

Slide 7 (of 14)

 Very little guidance from leaders

Complete freedom for followers to make decisions

Laissez Leaders provide the tools and resources needed

Faire Group members are expected to solve problems on their

own

Power is handed over to followers, yet leaders still take

responsibility for the groups decisions and actions
Laissez Faire

Advantages Disadvantages
• Team members that are highly skilled, • Lack of role awareness
motivated and capable can accomplish task
with very little guidance • Poor involvement with the group
• When group members are expert, they can
demonstrate their knowledge and skill
• Low accountability
• This autonomy can be freeing to some group • Passivity and avoidance
members and help them feel more satisfied
with their work
Which leadership style
am I using on all of you?
And why?
 Dominant:

• These communicators are results-driven and

focused on achieving business goals.
• They are confident and not afraid of a
Styles of challenge.
• However, they may speak bluntly.
Communicatio
n Within a Influencer:
Group • These communicators are focused on
building relationships and persuading
others.
• They thrive on collaboration and are very
optimistic and enthusiastic.
 Steady:

• These communicators like to cooperate with

others and are very sincere.
• They have a calm approach and don’t like to
Styles of be rushed in their process.
Communicatio
n Within a Conscientious:

Group (cont.) • These communicators value quality, accuracy

and expertise.
• They care about the details and don’t like to
be wrong.
• They like working on their own.
Clarify Individual Roles and
Responsibilities
• Each member of the group should have a clear understanding of what
their main tasks are and responsibilities.
• They should know what is expected of them in terms of outcomes and
behavior.
• This includes their day-to-day tasks, overarching goals and alignment
with company goals.
 • Brainstorming
Group • the leader of the session presents a problem or
question
Decision • clarifies the rules of the session and then the
group offers ideas
Making • Ideas are written down so that every member
can see them

Techniques • Brainstorming does not solve the problem but

helps generate creative ideas
 More information

Advantage
s of Group More alternatives
Decision
Making
More commitment
 Time Ambiguous
consuming responsibility
Disadvantages
of Group
Work Pressures to
conform