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Topic outline

  • Unit 9: Group Communication, Teamwork, and Leadership

    This unit will examine the differences between a group and a team, and cover the lifecycles, member roles, and problem-solving characteristics of both units. It will also discuss the standard practices associated with business meetings, and how leadership styles impact teamwork and group outcomes.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • provide examples of interpersonal factors and how they influence the evolutionary nature of groups;
      • categorize the types and roles of group members and contrast the typical stages in the life cycle of a group;
      • create a detailed plan to execute the seven steps for group problem-solving;
      • apply the basic principles of organizational communications to conduct effective meetings; and
      • contrast different leadership styles and how they affect group dynamics and the future of work.
    • 9.1: What Is a Group?

      • Read these sections, which distinguish between groups and teams, catalogue types of groups based on their structure and function, and discuss the impact of group size on member participation. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

    • 9.2: Group Life Cycles and Member Roles

      • This section covers the predictable patterns that groups tend to follow from their creation to their dissolution. It also discusses how groups assign roles to members in order to function efficiently and the life cycles those roles also tend to experience. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

    • 9.3: Group Problem-Solving

      • This section details seven steps that can characterize problem solving in groups. Note the table that introduces a cost-benefit analysis for a set of solutions to a hypothetical problem. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

    • 9.4: Business and Professional Meetings

      • Meetings require planning, choice of appropriate technology, and understanding of organizational communication. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

      • These eight videos give seven tips for getting your point across in a meeting. Booher's advice focuses on participants, not those running the meeting. These tips can be applied to all meetings.

    • 9.5: Teamwork and Leadership

      • This section discusses the nature of teamwork, identifies different types of leadership styles, and explores the ways leaders develop effective teams and choose team members. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

      • Watch this video for important tips on managing and working with remote teams.

      • This video features Marie Rosecrans, SVP at Salesforce, discussing the importance of keeping employees connected during the pandemic. She notes that consistent communication is key for keeping employee morale high.

      • This video discusses the impact of a global pandemic on the future of work, how organizations are successfully navigating the complexities of a remote workforce, and how to leverage technology to keep the team together and engaged.

    • Unit 9 Assessment

      • Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

        • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
        • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
        • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.