Page 258 - DMGT402_MANAGEMENT_PRACTICES_AND_ORGANIZATIONAL_BEHAVIOUR

Unit 12: Group Behaviour and Team Work

Before choosing a group decision-making technique, the manager carefully evaluates the Notes
group members and the decision situation. Then the best method for accomplishing the
objectives of the group decision-making process can be selected. For example:
(a) The need for expert input would be best facilitated by the Delphi Technique.
(b) Decisions that concern quality or production would benefit from the advice of quality
circles.
(c) If group members were reluctant to contribute ideas, the nominal group technique
would be appropriate.
(d) A manager who wants to provide total empowerment to a group should consider
the possibility of allowing it to self-manage itself.

Notes Conducting a Group Meeting
Group meetings have a reputation for inefficiency. For instance, noted economist John
Kenneth Galbraith has said, “Meetings are indispensable when you don’t want to do
anything”.
When you’re responsible for conducting a meeting, what can you do to make it more
efficient and effective? Follow these 12 steps:
1. Prepare a meeting agenda: An agenda defines what you hope to accomplish at the
meeting. It should state the meeting’s purpose; who will be in attendance; what, if
any, preparation is required of each participant; a detailed list of items to be covered;
the specific time and location of the meeting; and a specific ending time.
2. Distribute the agenda in advance: Participants should have the agenda well ahead of
time, so they can adequately prepare for the meetings.
3. Consult with participants before the meeting: An unprepared participant can’t
contribute to his or her full potential. It is your responsibility to ensure that members
are prepared, so check with them ahead of time.

4. Get participants to go over the agenda: The first thing to do at the meeting is to have
participants review the agenda, make any changes, then approve the final agenda.
5. Establish specific time parameters: Meetings should begin on time and have a specific
time for completion. It is your responsibility to specify these time parameters and
to hold them.
6. Maintain focused discussion: It is your responsibility to give direction to the
discussion; to keep it focused on the issues; and to minimize interruptions,
disruptions, and irrelevant comments.
7. Encourage and support participation of all members: To maximize the effectiveness
of problem-oriented meetings, each participant must be encouraged to contribute.
Quiet or reserved personalities need to be drawn out so their ideas can be heard.
8. Maintain a balanced style: The effective group leader pushes when necessary and is
passive when need be.
9. Encourage the clash of ideas: You need to encourage different points of view, critical
thinking, and constructive disagreement.
10. Discourage the clash of personalities: An effective meeting is characterized by the
critical assessment of ideas, not attacks on people, When running a meeting, you
must quickly intercede to stop personal attacks or other forms of verbal insult.
Contd....

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