Page 33 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

16 Chapter 1

first goal, as we interact, should be to strive to understand others to their
satisfaction. If this happens, we will confirm and support each others’ self-
concept and identity, even when we disagree strongly. Google’s Project
“Aristotle” was designed to find out the secrets of the perfect team. All the
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data and the analysis that followed revealed a simple truth: how members treat
each other matters the most. Members who listen to each other and respect
each other’s feelings create the best teams. Additionally, when disagreements
do occur, members who trust and respect each other will interpret those
disagreements more constructively than if they do not trust each other. 44
6. Group members should be thorough in gathering information and diligent in
evaluating it. Members should make a conscientious effort to find and
present to the group all information and points of view relevant to the
group’s work. They should also set aside personal biases and prejudices
when evaluating that information and refrain from doing anything that
short-circuits this process. Many consequential decisions are made in
groups, from how best to get children to read to what kind of health care
system the United States should adopt. These decisions will be only as good
as the information on which they are based and the reasoning that members
use to assess the information. It is absolutely crucial that group members
consider all relevant information in an open-minded, unbiased way by
employing the best critical thinking skills they can; to do otherwise can lead
to costly, even tragic, errors.
Group members who choose to be both effective participants in group interac-
tion and thoughtful observers of everyone’s behaviors, including their own, are com-
petent, ethical communicators and have extensive knowledge about groups. Broome
and Fulbright found that in real-life groups, among other things, members wanted
stronger guidance about group methods, procedures, and techniques as well as fellow
members skilled in the communication process. To be an all-around valuable mem-
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ber of the group, you need both a participant–observer focus and information and
expertise essential to completing the group’s task. This is what Effective Group Discus-
sion is designed to teach you.

Recap: A Quick Review

1. Effective group members remember they not only behave in groups but also must
observe the group processes and make any changes necessary to ensure the suc-
cess of the group.
2. Successful groups depend on members acting ethically and understanding that
how they choose to act and speak has consequences for themselves and others.
3. Ethical members treat speech, information, and others honestly, respectfully, care-
fully, and open-mindedly.

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