Although we read both chapters 11 and 12, I decided to choose and discuss a concept from chapter 11. Chapter 12, entitled Power in Group Conflict, talked about many different types of conflict resolution strategies and formats. Although we have already discussed a few, one that stood out to me the most was avoidance. “The avoidance strategy entails withdrawing from the conflict.” (Harris, 2008, pg. 237)
This strategy can only work or be positively effective if the avoidance, “is due to lack of information, understanding, or opinion….” (Harris 2008, pg. 237) on the conflict. Otherwise this strategy has a more destructive and negative outcome. People in small groups who implement this concept will only be counterproductive to the team.
I thought this concept was interesting because I know a lot of people that like to use avoidance to elude confrontation. However the problem still exists so there is usually still hostility. I know that I do this at times and now that I am aware, I am going to try to face all of my conflicts in the most effective way possible.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Week 13 Question 2: Collaborative Conflict & Competitive Conflict
Chapter 11 talks about collaborative conflict resolution as being the same as a consensus. “Consensus requires carefully defining the issues; discussing group-process strategies for communication; agreeing on the parameters of a good solution; being open, careful, and considerate, listening to all perspectives; and be willing to take the time and energy needed to forge solutions from the best parts of the perspective offered.” (Harris, 2008, pg. 232)
When I was on the volleyball team in high-school, we often had to use collaborative conflict resolution. To avoid negativity and remain as a close team, it was important for us to be considerate, open, careful, and come to a consensus. Although I did not always enjoy these conflict resolution sessions because I really wanted to just play volleyball, this actually did help to effectively solve many conflicts.
Competitive conflict is much different. Unlike collaborative conflict’s win-win orientation, competitive has a win-lose orientation. This is a very destructive and self-seeking method. I use this method sometimes when arguing with my boyfriend. I know this is not something to be proud of but it is unfortunately true. I sometimes have the “get the last word” mentality which causes a win-lose situation.
At the end of the day the most satisfying strategy to me is the collaborative conflict resolution. Although I do like to be right I know that I am not always, and it is best to be more open, positive and productive. I know that my teammates as well as my boyfriend would much rather use this strategy instead of the competitive conflict.
When I was on the volleyball team in high-school, we often had to use collaborative conflict resolution. To avoid negativity and remain as a close team, it was important for us to be considerate, open, careful, and come to a consensus. Although I did not always enjoy these conflict resolution sessions because I really wanted to just play volleyball, this actually did help to effectively solve many conflicts.
Competitive conflict is much different. Unlike collaborative conflict’s win-win orientation, competitive has a win-lose orientation. This is a very destructive and self-seeking method. I use this method sometimes when arguing with my boyfriend. I know this is not something to be proud of but it is unfortunately true. I sometimes have the “get the last word” mentality which causes a win-lose situation.
At the end of the day the most satisfying strategy to me is the collaborative conflict resolution. Although I do like to be right I know that I am not always, and it is best to be more open, positive and productive. I know that my teammates as well as my boyfriend would much rather use this strategy instead of the competitive conflict.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Week 13 Question 1: Forum Panel Colloquium Symposium
Chapter 11 talked in great detail about different presentation techniques. When preparing for a public presentation, there are several different formats to choose from. The four types that Harris focused on were: the forum, the panel, the colloquium, and lastly the symposium. I will now define and distinguish each of these types of techniques, and choose the one that I would prefer.
“The forum provides a small group presentational format in which the group can speak and listen to a larger audience.” (Harris, 2008, pg. 218) The whole audience is involved a public discussion after the small group gives a brief presentation. “A panel is a public format in which a group of four to eight experts discusses a problem or decision in front of an audience.” (Harris, 2008, pg. 220) However unlike the forum, the audience does not engage and participate in discussion in a panel. “The colloquium is a form of public discussion in which a group of three to six experts, usually chosen for their divergent views, discuss a problem, following the problem-solving format, in front of an audience with a moderator facilitating their interaction.” (Harris, 2008, pg. 220) Although a panel similarly has a moderator facilitating, the colloquium only has 3-6 experts versus a panels 4-8 experts. Also the audience is more interactive. “The symposium provides a format for a series of two to six brief speeches made on different aspects of a complex and difficult problem.” (Harris, 2008, pg 221) This format is very precise, has experts, and still leaves a significant amount of time for audience questions and concerns.
If I had to choose between the four I would probably choose the forum format. I think that this method will help the small group improve and learn a lot because they speak briefly and can than listen to all the feedback. This feedback could more than likely help the groups overall performance next time.
“The forum provides a small group presentational format in which the group can speak and listen to a larger audience.” (Harris, 2008, pg. 218) The whole audience is involved a public discussion after the small group gives a brief presentation. “A panel is a public format in which a group of four to eight experts discusses a problem or decision in front of an audience.” (Harris, 2008, pg. 220) However unlike the forum, the audience does not engage and participate in discussion in a panel. “The colloquium is a form of public discussion in which a group of three to six experts, usually chosen for their divergent views, discuss a problem, following the problem-solving format, in front of an audience with a moderator facilitating their interaction.” (Harris, 2008, pg. 220) Although a panel similarly has a moderator facilitating, the colloquium only has 3-6 experts versus a panels 4-8 experts. Also the audience is more interactive. “The symposium provides a format for a series of two to six brief speeches made on different aspects of a complex and difficult problem.” (Harris, 2008, pg 221) This format is very precise, has experts, and still leaves a significant amount of time for audience questions and concerns.
If I had to choose between the four I would probably choose the forum format. I think that this method will help the small group improve and learn a lot because they speak briefly and can than listen to all the feedback. This feedback could more than likely help the groups overall performance next time.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Week 12 Question 3: Emotional Barriers
Chapter 10 of Small Group and Team Communication was all about creativity in small groups. Although there were several interesting concepts in this chapter, I am going to discuss one that I believe impacts people the most, emotional barriers. Harris explains this as, “we may take more time than we would like; we may make a mistake; we may risk the censure of our peers by looking foolish or being judged incompetent. “ (Harris, 2008, pg. 189) Those are all examples of things we might say if we have these emotional barriers up.
The reason I think this concept is so important is because it applies to everyone. Although many people do not admit it, we all are conscious of what others will think when it comes to being creative or adding at ideas at some point in our lives. Although having emotional barriers can at times be the logical thing to do, it can also be detrimental to our ideas and achievements. Therefore I think we should find equilibrium between the two so that we utilize are minds and creativity to the best of our ability’s.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Week 12 Question 2: 5 Cultural Barriers to Creativity
There were several different cultural barriers to creativity that I learned about in chapter ten of Small Group and Team Communication. The five of the nine barriers that I am going to discuss include: expectation of practicality and efficiency, expectation of politeness and following rules, reliance on expert knowledge, belief in an either/or perspective on issues, and a trust in the power of reason and logic. (Harris 188)
If a group or group members have an expectation of practicality and efficiency, they may try to achieve a task by sticking to a strict or set plan. Although this is some times effective; in doing so, levels of creativity and ideas are at a minimum. Politeness and following rules is generally a good trait to possess. However in a group setting if you obtain this characteristic, you may be reluctant to contribute your ideas in order to maintain politeness and follow rules. Reliance on expert knowledge does not allow you to be accountable for your own actions. In a group setting there is typically a leader or facilitator that helps everyone to stay on track. If everyone is dependent upon the leader, they will not use their own creativity or ideas to help add to the group. Having an either/or perspective on issues seems very precise. But when in a group, having more ideas is best. This barrier only gives to ways of looking at or solving something which in result limits creativity or the possibility of others. Last but not least is the trust in power of reason and logic. This concept is one of the biggest barriers in my opinion, because everyone wants something to be reasonable or logical. However this can be detrimental in a group because if your ideas do not seem logical or reasonable, you may not add or suggest them. Focusing on reason and logic gives you no room to “think outside the box”.
I have fallen victim to all of these concepts and I believe the majority has as well. Because I think we mostly do this subconsciously, these are habits that can be difficult to break. But since I am now aware of these things, I am going to strive to be more conscious of them so that my creativity is not overlooked.
If a group or group members have an expectation of practicality and efficiency, they may try to achieve a task by sticking to a strict or set plan. Although this is some times effective; in doing so, levels of creativity and ideas are at a minimum. Politeness and following rules is generally a good trait to possess. However in a group setting if you obtain this characteristic, you may be reluctant to contribute your ideas in order to maintain politeness and follow rules. Reliance on expert knowledge does not allow you to be accountable for your own actions. In a group setting there is typically a leader or facilitator that helps everyone to stay on track. If everyone is dependent upon the leader, they will not use their own creativity or ideas to help add to the group. Having an either/or perspective on issues seems very precise. But when in a group, having more ideas is best. This barrier only gives to ways of looking at or solving something which in result limits creativity or the possibility of others. Last but not least is the trust in power of reason and logic. This concept is one of the biggest barriers in my opinion, because everyone wants something to be reasonable or logical. However this can be detrimental in a group because if your ideas do not seem logical or reasonable, you may not add or suggest them. Focusing on reason and logic gives you no room to “think outside the box”.
I have fallen victim to all of these concepts and I believe the majority has as well. Because I think we mostly do this subconsciously, these are habits that can be difficult to break. But since I am now aware of these things, I am going to strive to be more conscious of them so that my creativity is not overlooked.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Week 12 Question 1: Creativity
There are several ways to define creativity. One of the definitions I liked most from Small Group and Team Communication is, “creativity involves the power to originate, to break away from the existing ways of looking at things, to move freely in the realm of the imagination, to create…new ideas and strong feelings” (Sacks, 1995, pg. 241-242) (Harris, 2008, pg. 183). This definition is precise, yet broad enough to give different examples and how it pertains to my life.
One of my hobbies I enjoyed as a child was creating and designing clothing. Although I know this is done by many people these days, all of my ideas were inspired by me and I did not look at any other current styles to copy. To be more specific I can remember drawing and having my mother help me create pants that zipped off to become shorts. Although this sounds kind of corny at the time it sounded like a great idea. We created a pair and I wore them around school. I used my ideas and imagination to create something that could be worn year round. This style was later created and sold in several stores and even though I had never created a label for this style and sold it anywhere, I still felt that by idea had been stolen. But still, I was glad because people that ridiculed me for this “wacky” idea got to actually see others wearing the same style I created.
One of my hobbies I enjoyed as a child was creating and designing clothing. Although I know this is done by many people these days, all of my ideas were inspired by me and I did not look at any other current styles to copy. To be more specific I can remember drawing and having my mother help me create pants that zipped off to become shorts. Although this sounds kind of corny at the time it sounded like a great idea. We created a pair and I wore them around school. I used my ideas and imagination to create something that could be worn year round. This style was later created and sold in several stores and even though I had never created a label for this style and sold it anywhere, I still felt that by idea had been stolen. But still, I was glad because people that ridiculed me for this “wacky” idea got to actually see others wearing the same style I created.
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