Group Dynamics
PRAE 1 LRNG 602 Group Dynamics Submitted by: Slade Murphy George Mason University Professor Tojo Thatchenkery Concrete Experience (CE) Session 1: Friday, 5 September Waiting in the lobby with students for the start of class, I reviewed my motivation for attending this course. ... As he did so I felt some of my apprehension subsiding because I felt I was somewhat familiar with Group Dynamics. ... He explained that we would remain in our assigned groups for the duration of the course, so that we would experience the process of group dynamics in small groups. ... Later that evening, through the process of counting off by three, I became a member of group two. Each group moved to its assigned group corners in the classroom. The facilitators gathered together in the middle of the room to observer the diversity of each group to make sure that each group was diverse in terms of team members. ... Group two is a diversified group. ... Warm-up Activity in-group After the group was assigned, each group moved to its assigned team room. ... During my presentation, I could hear my voice trembling, but I was determined not to cry in front of group members or during my presentation. ... As each group member presented his or her pictorial presentation of the people who influenced them, I celebrate with them high points and low points of life and laughed with them as we reflected on some of life humors moments. The group rewarded each presentation with a handclap to show a level of appreciation and respect for sharing personal stories to the larger group. Despite my reservations, the exercise produced positive outcome for the group. ... I felt a sense of harmony in the group when we departed for the night. Session 2: Saturday, 6 September Re-grouping of the group As I walked into the room I noticed the configuration of the chairs in a circle. ... it truly is going to be a group session and I must play the role of being the observer and a participant. ... ” The entire group was silent for a long time. ... The group laughed. ... With time, the silence was dispelled again when I asked the group to define their expectations. Group members didn’t want to define an agenda. They seemed to want the goal to emerge through group dynamics and to believe that there was no need for structure around a defined agenda. ... I suggested that we didn’t have to operate indefinitely as an “unstructured group” if this structure wasn’t working. No one else in the group welcome my remarks. ... I felt the conversation was beneficial in that it helped me learn more about the group’s expectations and norms. Eric began the discussion about the principle of the “Here and now” and what it meant to the formation of our group. As the first person to engage the group in a conversation, Eric emerged as the leader. Subsequently, group members depended on him for the direction of the discussion topics and on Bill for clarification and validation of them. The group then focused on our seating arrangement, acoustics of the room, lighting, and location of the clock. ... At Lunch The only event of consequences during our group lunch was that halfway through Kari announced that she was leaving to give herself some personal down time. The group stayed an additional 20 minutes in the restaurant and then left together to walk back to class, this time in pairs that went their separate ways until class resumed. After Lunch As we started the afternoon session, Eric said, “we left this room as a whole group, ate as a whole group, but didn’t come back as a whole. ... I responded by saying we don’t have to always be together as a whole group to be a group.” It was amazing for me to hear so early a concern for group members separating from each other. ... Tojo entered the class and joined the group circle. Tojo suggested that we take some time to share our appreciation for each others participation in today’s group discussion. ... I sensed that the group enjoyed the self-assessment exercise. ... The group behavior was out of character for our group. ... Fritz shared with the group that he had expertise experience in survival tactics. ... Session 4: Saturday, September 13 We began our group session in a new room. I sensed the group was pleased with our new room. The group has always enjoyed from the start eating a socializing together. I felt it was a high point for the group. I sensed the group was more relaxed and comfortable with each other. ... His presence changed the dynamic of the group. I sensed the group felt a need to talk about a relevant topic around group dynamic. ... Without searching for alternative options the group agreed to the idea. I was excited about the group decision to have a structured conversation around a topic of group dynamic. ... When I stop talking, I sensed the energy in the group was low. ... The group began discussing the survival exercise. The energy in the group was ignited. ... The group shared personal observations about the group process. The group talked about how Fritz emerged as the leader based on his confidence that his ranking of the items was correct. Kari pointed out how frustrated she and I were with the group process. ... She assumed the role of facilitator by standing up and removing her self from the group circle. I observed when she spoke her voice was at a different level in the group. ... I shared with the group that I felt the group process for coming to a consensus was chaotic due to lack of decision-making choices. ... The group ignored the body language as well. ... Until, Tojo made the group focus on the elephant in the middle of the floor. ... He pointed out that he noticed Carla was not happen with my observation and since the group talked early about Difficult Conversation lets us this opportunity to learn about difficult conversations. Tojo used this defining moment in the group to teach us about effective feedback in groups. I felt the group become very attentive. ... To jo asked Carla to share with the group what she was feeling when I said, she shutdown. ... I also sensed that the group was feeling this way too. Tojo worked with the group to facilitate an effective feedback conversation by showing us how evaluative and interpretative feedback can cause a difficult conversation. Through group examples of how to delivery data drive feedback, I sensed this session was a learnable moment for the group. ... The group was shocked by my response. The group shared what they liked about the first session as well as the group. Brad and Eric shared their appreciation for the caring nature of the group. ... In fact, Eric mentioned he departs the group feeling energized. ... I sensed the group felt this way too. ... Reflective Observation (RO) As I reflect about my actions over the past weeks, the question I ponder is whether my involvement with others in this group will be successful. ... ” What this quote says to me is that the way I lead those within a group is more important than anything else I do.