Observing
Performance of
Traditional Group Roles
Many managers become
comfortable with the manner in which they interact with others in a small
group. This process is 'role-taking.' Recognizing the effect of
role choices can aid in changing behavior as necessary for excelling in
Participative management. Some of the behaviors you should learn
to look for when working with your groups appear below, along with brief
descriptions of how they operate to impede or to enhance decision making
and group performance. Through observation you will be able to identify
for your colleagues the predominant roles they are using in your group
interactions. This knowledge can provide a basis for positive change.
Achievement
(Task) Roles
Maintenance-Helpful
(Climate) Roles
Defensive
(Egocentric) Roles |
Achievement
(Task) Activities & Roles
Achievement roles assist a group to accomplish its task.
Initiator |
Proposes
new ideas, goals, procedures, methods, and solutions |
Information
Seeker |
Asks for
facts and clarification; suggests when more information needed |
Information
Giver |
Offers facts,
personal experience, and evidence |
Opinion
Seeker |
Draws out
convictions and opinions of others; asks for clarification |
Opinion
Giver |
States own
beliefs or opinions |
Clarifier |
Elaborates
on ideas expressed by others; gives related examples |
Coordinator |
Clarifies
relationships among facts offered by others; proposes new ways
to look at group's effort |
Orientor |
Clarifies
group purpose or goals; defines group's position; summarizes and
suggests direction group should take |
Energizer |
Prods group
to greater activity; stimulates interaction |
Summarizer |
Assesses
group functioning; raises questions about logic & practicality
of member suggestions |
|
Maintenance-Helpful
(Climate) Roles
Achievement roles are complimented by humanistic-helpful roles.
Supporter |
Proposes
new ideas, goals, procedures, methods and solutions |
Harmonizer |
Helps
resolve differences; conciliates |
Tension
Reliever |
Jokes;
brings out humane characteristics; reduces formality; relaxes
others |
Gate Keeper |
Helps
others join in on the discussion |
Encourager |
Praises,
accepts, or agrees with other members' ideas; indicates solidarity
and warmth |
Standard
Setter and Testing |
Expresses
standards for the group to achieve or use in evaluating group
process |
Follower |
Goes along
with the group; agrees to try out the ideas of others |
|
Defensive
(Egocentric) Roles
Both task-centered and individual climate-centered roles are frustrated
by egocentric roles. Defensive roles operate at the expense of the individual
and the group.
Blocker |
Constantly
raises objections; insists that nothing can be done |
Recognition
Seeker |
Boasts; calls
attention to him/herself |
Confessor |
Uses group
for his own "therapy;" tells his life history; centers on his
problems, mistakes, and feelings |
Playboy |
Is out for
fun; displays a lack of involvement in group tasks |
Dominator |
Tries to
run group; insists on his/her way |
Special
Interest Pleader |
Insists on
his/her particular interests, regardless of group's goals; frequently
represents another group outside the immediate group |
Avoider |
Lacks interest;
wants to escape from the process; would rather be "golfing" or
attending "happy hour" |
|