Resource 19: Observation and Feedback to Develop Effective Group Behaviour

Group-task title/description…………………………………………………………….

Number in group……..

How long the group has worked together as a group…………………………..

Observe your group and try to make some notes in relation to the following questions.
Leave gaps and add further information as the group passes through Tuckman and Jensen's four stages: forming, storming, norming and performing.(These are explained in R11)

Do the members of the group appear to think of themselves as a group, have a collective perception of unity, a conscious identification with each other? If not, when does this begin to develop? Describe what factors enabled or prevented this to happen.
 
 
 
 

Does the working environment feel safe and if so, how is this achieved (i.e. would you feel OK about receiving and expressing critical opinions)?
 
 
 
 

Does there appear to be a sense of shared purpose and values? Are the aims and goals clear?
 
 
 
 

Do the members appear to acknowledge their interdependence (i.e. the need to help one another to accomplish the task(s)? If so, give some brief examples here.
 
 
 
 
 

How do the members communicate with one another?
You may find it helpful to draw a diagram or seating plan with connecting lines and symbols indicating how often, how effectively and with whom members communicated. A simple tick can be used for positive contributions and a cross for less helpful offerings. Your diagram should indicate if the group is fairly inclusive, utilising the ideas and contributions of everyone or if some individuals 'opt out' and/or others dominate the proceedings. Sometimes sub-groups develop within the whole group. If so, these should stand out clearly on your diagram.
 

Enabling good communication
Robbins and Finley suggest that when communication is really good, these four elements should be at work:
 

Talking	Listening to ourselves listening
Listening to ourselves talking	Listening

We probably focus too much on ourselves doing the talking. Our listening is more important than our talking, because it is our listening (whether it is good or awful) that determines the quality of communication.

Instead of beginning in the familiar upper-left corner, with us talking, begin in the opposite corner, with us simply listening to others. If you expereince difficulty listening, the other squares may hold the key.

Listening to ourselves talking :

Are we going on too long?
Are we embellishing?
Are we making little, subtle jabs at people?
Are we unconsciously working to express our own importance or superior knowledge or lack of status in the group?

Some types of communication to watch for might include the following:
 

Listening
explaining
enthusing
asking
directing
talking for the sake of it (rather than contributing anything useful)
body language (inclusive and positive or closed and negative)
observing (perhaps too shy to speak out)
summing up
reviewing
disagreeing
experimenting etc..

Check this list before reporting back to the group
 
 
 

Remember

• When you feedback observations about any performance, the performer is likely to feel vulnerable.
• Never offer personal criticisms about which the group member(s) can do nothing.
• Try to be honest and tactful.
• Use language which helps people to learn and move forward.

"I have spread my dreams under your feet:
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams"

W.B Yeats