Organizational Group Behavior and Communication
Organizational Group Behavior and Communication
Chris Bevins
COM 425 Communication in Organizations
Willetra Brittian
18 Jul 2010
Organizational Group Behavior and Communication
People are an organization’s most important and valuable resource. How they interact and communicate can be one of the most important aspects of an organization’s success. The knowledge, skills, and abilities people of today possess offer limitless opportunities to maximize work center effectiveness.
People not only come in all shapes and sizes, but they come with different motives, values, and personality types as well. They are individuals, with as many similarities from one person to the next as they have differences. It’s these similarities and differences that make up a group’s dynamic.
Group dynamics are the interactions that influence the attitudes and behavior of people when they are grouped with others through either choice or circumstance. Group dynamics is impacted by individual needs or goals which affect interpersonal relationships within the group. One of the realities of organizational behavior is that we must work in and with groups to accomplish objectives. No matter how much we value and protect our individuality, almost everything achieved in organizations is accomplished as a member of a group. Group dynamics is inherent within any type of organization or team. Individuals are grouped together to achieve an objective or goal and these individuals bring their own motives, values, and personalities to a group. Individual behavior affects group dynamics. Sometimes these behaviors cause friction within a team and other times further a team. Positive interdependence is an important part of a cooperative work group which can help to achieve a group’s mutual goal. When created correctly, positive interdependence results in people recognizing that their individual success is linked to the success of every other member of the group. Research about groups is
Chris Bevins
COM 425 Communication in Organizations
Willetra Brittian
18 Jul 2010
Organizational Group Behavior and Communication
People are an organization’s most important and valuable resource. How they interact and communicate can be one of the most important aspects of an organization’s success. The knowledge, skills, and abilities people of today possess offer limitless opportunities to maximize work center effectiveness.
People not only come in all shapes and sizes, but they come with different motives, values, and personality types as well. They are individuals, with as many similarities from one person to the next as they have differences. It’s these similarities and differences that make up a group’s dynamic.
Group dynamics are the interactions that influence the attitudes and behavior of people when they are grouped with others through either choice or circumstance. Group dynamics is impacted by individual needs or goals which affect interpersonal relationships within the group. One of the realities of organizational behavior is that we must work in and with groups to accomplish objectives. No matter how much we value and protect our individuality, almost everything achieved in organizations is accomplished as a member of a group. Group dynamics is inherent within any type of organization or team. Individuals are grouped together to achieve an objective or goal and these individuals bring their own motives, values, and personalities to a group. Individual behavior affects group dynamics. Sometimes these behaviors cause friction within a team and other times further a team. Positive interdependence is an important part of a cooperative work group which can help to achieve a group’s mutual goal. When created correctly, positive interdependence results in people recognizing that their individual success is linked to the success of every other member of the group. Research about groups is
References: Van Slyke, Erik J. Listening to Conflict: Finding Constructive Solutions to Workplace Disputes. New York, NY: American Management Association Publications, 1999. Stewart, Greg L., Charles C. Manz, and Henry P. Sims. Team Work and Group Dynamics. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1999. Yukl, Gary. Leadership in Organizations. Prentice Hall; New Jersey. 2010. Johnson D. W. & Johnson, F. P. (2009). Joining together: group theory and group skills. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson. Shockley-Zalabak, P. S. (2009). Fundamentals of Organizational Communication; Knowledge, Sensitivity, Skills, Value. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.