Understanding Group Dynamics and Leadership
Hidden Agendas in Groups
Hidden agendas are interests or targets that cannot be openly discussed, often being unmentionable. They can stem from grudges, resentments, ambitions, revenge, prejudice, or desires contrary to the group’s objectives or rules.
Leadership vs. Management
Leadership involves influencing people’s behavior to achieve specific objectives. Management, on the other hand, is about planning, organizing, facilitating, staffing, and controlling subordinates’ activities.
Formal vs. Informal Leadership
Formal Leadership: A person is given the authority to manage and control the activities of their subordinates. They have legitimate power to reward or punish employees (e.g., a company director).
Informal Leadership: Arises spontaneously within a group (e.g., the caretaker of a hospital).
Management Styles
- Participatory Style: The leader consults with subordinates, giving them responsibility, but retains the final decision-making power.
- Autocratic Style: The leader imposes rules and standards, and workers obey.
- Laissez-faire Style: Workers have the freedom to make decisions; the leader provides information only.
- Paternalistic Style: The leader doesn’t allow full worker participation but shows protective attitudes, expresses interest in their staff, consults them, but makes all final decisions.
- Bureaucratic Style: Limited communication; rules prevail over people.
Types of Groups Based on Purpose
- Production
- Troubleshooting within the organization
- Conflict Resolution
- Organizational Change and Development
Stages of Group Formation
- Early or Initial Stage
- Second Stage or Conflict
- Third Stage or Development
- Fourth Stage or Work
Group Dynamization Techniques
- Dramatization: Involves dramatizing a real situation. Group members take on roles, and then the reactions and feelings of the actors are discussed. It helps improve employer-employee relations, resolve conflicts, and integrate marginalized groups.
- Philips 66: The group is divided into teams of six. Each team discusses a topic for six minutes. Then, the coordinators of each group present their findings, and a conclusion is reached. It’s used to identify ideas, assess group satisfaction, and evaluate work.
- Brainstorming: A group of 8-10 people discusses an issue raised by a moderator to generate original ideas or solutions. It promotes worker creativity and helps resolve work-related problems.
- Case Study: Involves analyzing a real situation presented to a group (no more than 12 people). A written case is given to each person for study within a specific timeframe. It allows participants to draw conclusions and apply them to similar situations.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Group Dynamization Technique
- The proposed objective.
- The maturity level and characteristics of group members.
- The size of the group.