7.0 Introduction
Learning Objectives
At the end of this chapter, learners will be able to:
- Define groups and teams.
- Identify the typical stages in the life cycle of a group.
- Describe types of group members and group member roles.
- Describe teamwork and how to overcome challenges to group success.
- Describe leadership styles and their likely influence on followers.
- Describe several strategies for resolving workplace conflict related to evaluations and criticism.
- Explain the types of conflict.
Professional Perspective
Abe works in a team with other financial analysts to complete projects for the finance department. Each member has a different level of experience in the company and in their career. They also have different perspectives and ideas on how the job should be done. One of Abe’s co-workers is uncomfortable using technology and the new software that the company has invested in. Abe has been practicing and taking courses to learn the software and likes using it. She finds it much more efficient, however, the team needs to be on the same page. What should Abe do?
Interpersonal communication occurs between two people, but group communication may involve two or more individuals. Groups are a primary context for interaction within the business community. Groups overlap and may share common goals, but they may also engage in conflict. Within a group, individuals may behave in distinct ways, use unique or specialized terms, or display symbols that have meaning to that group. Those same terms or symbols may be confusing, meaningless, or even unacceptable to another group. An individual may belong to multiple groups, adapting their communication patterns to meet group normative expectations.
“72. Introduction” from Communication for Business Professionals by eCampusOntario is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
