Session:9 Group and Intergroup Relations
Management Skills Application Exercises
Organizational Behavior | Leadership Development – Micro-Learning Session
Rice University 2020 | Michael Laverty, Colorado State University Global Chris Littel, North Carolina State University| https://openstax.org/details/books/organizational-behavior
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- To assist in your analysis, you may wish to complete this self-assessment. Simply think of a group you have belonged to, and answer each question as honestly as possible. When you are through, refer to Appendix B for interpretation.
How Do You Behave in a Group?
Instructions: Think of a typical group situation in which you often find yourself (e.g., a club, study group, small work group), and answer the following items as accurately as possible.
Never Seldom Fairly Often Frequently In a group, how often do you: - Keep the group focused on the task at hand?
1 2 3 4 - Help the group clarify the issues?
1 2 3 4 - Pull various ideas together?
1 2 3 4 - Push the group to make a decision or complete a task?
1 2 3 4 - Support and encourage other groups members?
1 2 3 4 - Try to reduce interpersonal conflicts?
1 2 3 4 - Help the group reach a compromise?
1 2 3 4 - Assist in maintaining group harmony?
1 2 3 4 - Seek personal recognition from other group members?
1 2 3 4 - Try to dominate group activities?
1 2 3 4 - Avoid unpleasant or undesirable group activities?
1 2 3 4 - Express your impatience or hostility with the group?
1 2 3 4 - To see how group effectiveness works, try this self-assessment. Choose a work group (or groups) to which you belong (or did belong in the past). Once you have selected a group, simply answer the items on the questionnaire by checking either “mostly yes” or “mostly no.” When you have finished, refer to Appendix B for scoring.
How Effective Is Your Work Group?
Instructions: Select a group to which you belong, and use this group to answer the following questions. Check “mostly yes” or “mostly no” to answer each question.
Mostly Yes Mostly No - The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable.
_____ _____ - Group discussion is frequent, and it is usually pertinent to the task at hand.
_____ _____ - Group members understand what they are trying to accomplish.
_____ _____ - People listen to each other’s suggestions and ideas.
_____ _____ - Disagreements are tolerated, and an attempt is made to resolve them.
_____ _____ - There is general agreement on most courses of action taken.
_____ _____ - The group welcomes frank criticism from inside and outside sources.
_____ _____ - When the group takes action, clear assignments are made and accepted.
_____ _____ - There is a well-established, relaxed working relationship among the members.
_____ _____ - There is a high degree of trust and confidence among the leader and subordinates.
_____ _____ - The group members strive hard to help the group achieve its goal.
_____ _____ - Suggestions and criticisms are offered and received with a helpful spirit.
_____ _____ - There is a cooperative rather than a competitive relationship among group members.
_____ _____ - The group goals are set high but not so high as to create anxieties or fear of failure.
_____ _____ - The leaders and members hold a high opinion of the group’s capabilities.
_____ _____ - Creativity is stimulated within the group.
_____ _____ - There is ample communication within the group of topics relevant to getting the work accomplished.
_____ _____ - Group members feel confident in making decisions.
_____ _____ - People are kept busy but not overloaded.
_____ _____ - The leader of the group is well suited for the job.
_____ _____ Source: Adapted from A. J. DuBrin from The Human Side of Enterprise (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1960).