mps 28: group skills donald r. woods chemical engineering mcmaster university hamilton, on canada 1

MPS 28: Group skillsMPS 28: Group skills

Donald R. WoodsChemical Engineering McMaster University

Hamilton, ONCanada

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Def: application of problem solving and interpersonal skills to efficiently and effectively complete a task & develop good morale among the group members

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Why important?1. Needed often2. Can be improved dramatically3. Stage in the evolution toward Team skills4. Life sometimes appears to be a series of

meetings

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Pretest: Use an “x” to rate yourAwareness & Skill

Time 10 s Finish by _________

Objectives... Read over...

Time _____ Finish by _________

Pretest: Use an “x” to rate yourAwareness & Skill

Time 10 s Finish by _________

Objectives... Read over...

Time _____ Finish by _________

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OptionAs individuals complete the 13-question

inventory about effective groups

Discuss with neighbour

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Where it fits in

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Four basics of interpersonal relations. MPS 52#1 Seven personal fundamental RIGHTS

R be RespectedI to Inform or to express an opinion G to have Goals & needs & express these.H to Have feelings & express them.T Trouble & make mistakes & be forgiven.S to Select your response to others

Claim these rights and honor these in others.

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Interpersonal basics:#2 Destroyers: 4 NO’s! Gottman

ContemptCriticismDefensivenessWithdrawal and stonewalling

Did the contemptuous critter sit on de fence or the stonewall?

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MPS 28: Group skillsMPS 28: Group skillsInterpersonal basics#3 Build Trust with integrity, competency and benevolence integrity:

keep commitments to yourself and others.clarify expectationsshow personal integrity, honesty and loyaltypromptly and sincerely apologizehonor the fundamental RIGHTS avoid the destroyers.take time to see things from the perspectives of others.accept others "warts and all."

benevolent acts as:not saying ill of the person behind his/her back

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MPS 28: Group skillsMPS 28: Group skillsInterpersonal basics #3 continued: We destroy trust by

- not meeting commitments.- selectively listen, & use info out of context.- not accept other’s experience as being valid.- make changes that affect others without consult.- wear them down via “broken record”. - subtly change context/issues/wording gradually

#4 Give feedback that helps: 5 positive features/strengths & 2 areas to work on [not 50 things that are wrong!!!]

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MPS 28: Group skillsMPS 28: Group skillsResearch tells us:●Need both -Task oriented activities ( to get job done) & - Morale oriented activities (to keep the group happy, trustful & cohesive)

● Need Chairperson as facilitator- aware of what is & what should be going on in the group- aware of ideas flow- nudge process- remind of time- maintain decorum & sense of organization

● Leadership.. Changes from person to person as the group activity continues; whoever has the most pertinent expertise related to the task is the “momentary leader”.. Don’t confuse chairperson with leadership.

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So what?Feedback form for individuals about Task & Morale

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MPS 28: Group skillsMPS 28: Group skillsActivity:as individual, read over form and check you understand the words for TASK

1 task process: how the group is working on the task: have we defined the problem?3 task of getting the problem solved. Is the density of water 1 Mg/m3 ?

for MORALE 1 about morale process: how are we doing working together: have we all had a chance to talk? 3 task of improving the morale

TIME _________

Activity:as individual, read over form and check you understand the words for TASK

1 task process: how the group is working on the task: have we defined the problem?3 task of getting the problem solved. Is the density of water 1 Mg/m3 ?

for MORALE 1 about morale process: how are we doing working together: have we all had a chance to talk? 3 task of improving the morale

TIME _________

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Activity:Discuss with neighbour.TIME 2 min

As individuals write reflections. TIME 2 min

Activity:Discuss with neighbour.TIME 2 min

As individuals write reflections. TIME 2 min

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MPS 28: Group skillsMPS 28: Group skillsPractise with formActivity: I’ll say some comments

identified by #; Put the # in the “best” row that identifies the type of behavior: Example: #1: “Now what’s the task here?”

Is probably in TASK Observer- task process + .

You would put #1 in that row.This assessment depends on the

context and the body language; do the best you can.

Work as an individual

Add number to column 1 on form

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Leader says statements #2 to #7 twice (& tries to keep the same body language and inflection)

Your task is to enter the number in the column on the form.

Indicate whether TASK or MORALE; -which subcategoryWhether positive or negative

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Feedback: Statements:2. “I don’t like that idea”3. “Let’s stick to the point.”4. “ Here’s an idea, why don’t we.”5. “I support Joe’s idea. “ 6. “Let me check, Bill, do you mean...?”7. “Only 5 minutes left.”Discuss with neighbor TIME ______

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MPS 28: Group skillsMPS 28: Group skillsUse of the form. Find a partner: one will be the client

within a group, the other will be a personal observer

Form a fishbowl with the client forming a group with the individual observers outside.

Clients-group will be given a problem to resolve. Observers will note body language, contributions and interpersonal interactions on form; then summarize to give constructive feedback to the client.

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MPS 28: Group skillsMPS 28: Group skillsResearch tells us:

● Performance improves if we pause and reflect

● Performance improves if we set goals

● Useful if individuals have chance to state his/her contribution to task and to morale (without discussion)

So what?After each meeting the group will self assess its performance

(observers will keep observing & completing the form)

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Group feedbackForm1.Group assess2.Individual contribution3.5 Plus; 2 areas to improve

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C hair is ________________Take first couple of minutes and create an

agenda

No agenda, no meetingNormally if the Chair is appointed ahead of time,

the chair creates an agenda & sends it to all well before the meeting; no agenda, don’t attend.

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Group assess,Date, use as basis for next meeting


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C hair is ________________Take first couple of minutes and create an

agenda

No agenda, no meetingNormally if the Chair is appointed ahead of time,

the chair creates an agenda & sends it to all well before the meeting; no agenda, don’t attend.

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MPS 28: Group skillsMPS 28: Group skills More research results:● 1. Each group develops its own culture/style; take time early

on to discuss roles, styles

● 2. Typical group evolution through stages: usuallyForm

StormNorm

PerformThe FIRO-B instrument can help orient individuals about their behavior in these stages.

● 3. Groups evolve to be effective teams

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MPS 28: Group skillsMPS 28: Group skills1. Establish norms: Things to consider:.Appoint chair ahead of time; circulate agenda.Terminology for problem solving; brainstorming.Method for making decisions: consensus? Vote? Unanimity? Chairperson

vote?.Details: refreshments, paper? Record decisions? Action column?.Roles: identify? Reporter? Calculator? Validator?.Meeting format: fixed ending time?.Sandler’s 20 min rule: for any decision, allow only 20 min. By then, all of the

issues should have been raised. After this it’s just repeat. Decide..How to handle conflict; level of intervention.Share personal uniqueness with group? Share scores from MBTI, learning

style, KAI for creativity.Emergencies: how to handle.Ask member to leave group

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MPS 28: Group skillsMPS 28: Group skills1. Establish norms & roles:

Chairperson:creates agenda ahead of time or at the start of the

meeting, facilitates the process, tries to ensure that all are involved and that the task gets done on time.

Reporter:records ideas & decision & persons responsible for

implementation, completes self assessment form and verbally reports as needed.

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1. Norms & rolesValidator/ facilitator: helps group assess information. Poses questions:

for clarificationprobing assumptionsprobing reasons & evidenceprobing viewpoints & perspectivesprobing implications & consequences

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1. Establish norms & rolesActivity: as a group, decide on roles and norms

for your group. Use checklist as a guide. Add other issues as needed.

TIME 60 min

1. Establish norms & rolesActivity: as a group, decide on roles and norms

for your group. Use checklist as a guide. Add other issues as needed.

TIME 60 min

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2. Group evolves- Form- Storm- Norm- perform


2. Group evolves; instrument FIRO-B gives some insight about you during this evolution.

Activity: as individual complete FIRO-B

score

TIME ___5 min ____

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FIRO B high numbers show preference; norms given


FIRO B, So what?Values range from 0 to 9 in each; 4-5 handle either; 6-7

or 2-3 = noticeable ; 8-9 or 0-1 suggests very strong tendency.

Affection tendency is more important than control &, in turn, is more important than inclusion.

Social Interaction index =Total is from 0 – 54; higher values suggest more likely to be outgoing, friendly and gregarious; low suggests reserved and shy.

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MPS 28: Group sklillsMPS 28: Group sklills#16, FIRO-B, So what?Ratio of expressed/ wanted should = 1If ratio is very high or very low, suggests

frustration and conflict. Example, control = 0/9 suggests want to be

involved socially but unskilled & uncomfortable expressing this. May be very sensitive to being left out.

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Activity: as small groups, discuss FIRO-B in the context of what you have seen so far in your group.

TIME ____________

Activity: as small groups, discuss FIRO-B in the context of what you have seen so far in your group.

TIME ____________

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3. Group evolvesTo effectiveteam

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More research results● At the beginning, typically up to 30% of the time

is spent on Group process task and 30% on group process Morale and only 40% on solving the problem. Smoothly working & experienced groups use 15% of time on Group process task

15% on Group process morale & 70% on solving the problem

● Optimum group size is 3, 5 or 7

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Group evolves:Group to team

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Activity: return to the pretest and assess your awareness and skill. Use an “o”

TIME ___________Objectives

Activity: return to the pretest and assess your awareness and skill. Use an “o”

TIME ___________Objectives

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DISCOVERY

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mps 28: group skills donald r. woods chemical engineering mcmaster university hamilton, on canada 1

Documents

group aware

group happy

group skillsdonald

group members

group skillsdef

group skillsso

group skillspretest

group activity