I came across this picture on facebook just a few days ago. Just to brighten up our hectic week filled with exams and assignments:)
Basically this picture above reminded me of why do we need to communicate in groups? Well, from the lowest waged to the highest waged jobs, is always necessary to be a team-player. There are no jobs that you will need to work alone and eventually accomplishing everything. Even for a “garang guni” ( a person that collects old goods) to a CEO of a famous company, it is always essential that people work together to get something done. When there are people, there’s bound to be communications involved.
From the picture above, between the translator and the PM, the communication was initially successful. However, sometimes unpredictable circumstances do happen. Not only in global situations, in small campus groups or cliques these misunderstandings or mis-communications will happen as well.
Potential group problems can be solved through effective group interactions. It is almost the same as the methods in making a friend, depending on each other, having common interest, common goal as well as a common identity. These are points that provide a good friendship. Similarly, these are the points that proved the characteristics of a group. Similarly, in groups, sometimes chemistry is very important in maintaining the relationship in order to achieve the goals. Taking my current group for example, from the test that we did. We did not achieve the best chemistry or the best dynamics within the group which may not provide us with the advantage of achieving the best. However, i believed that we will be able to challenge ourselves and maximize our potential to the very best. Hence, getting the best group dynamics within ourselves.
In my opinion, i felt that there is a need for members not only to play their role in the group, but also able to be very flexible as well as versatile in acquiring a different role in the group. Acquiring such behavior would help the group in accomplishment of task. All these may sound pretty simple, even easier said then done. However, when it comes to relationship between humans? There are definitely complications because different expectations would arouse from each individuals. Once it is not lived up to the other party expectations, disappointment would occur causing relationships to be scarred slightly. When similar things escalates or accumulated, relationships may scar even further and that’s when maintenance roles would come into play:)
Jiasemi talks. 
Hey, that’s really funny, and a bit sad if it was a true story; because if true, the Japanese Prime Minister would really need to brush up in his language skills, yea? Haha. Anyway, I agree that effective group communication skills are needed for things to run smoothly, and as you say, regardless of social class or status, communication still occurs. The only way one can not communicate is if one can really manage to live life as a hermit in one corner of the world, but since that is highly unlikely, there is a need to have good communication skills.
Chris (Xepthrichros is the letter of my name, with an ‘X’ added and rearranged)
letters* of my name
I think communication is not restricted to between same social class/status/race/culture. Even though the Jap PM really created a joke, it is important for both personnel to continue in their conversation. This involves to countries and it will not be wise if either one of them gets personal due to communication error. However, through this, we see how important it is for one to learn effective communication skills that is appropriate in different context.
working in groups is also really essential. If either of the translator were to be unhappy about their “boss”, they can easily screw things up for them. Therefore, communicating with your group is also important as we all will not survive alone.
YEA! Talking is truly a form of art that can be hard to mastered. Even a small body gesture or the wrong use of words can affects the entire conversation with disappointment, awkwardness or even anger.
Your post is interesting… it reminds me of the video faking about a conversation in US white house on “HU (who) is the new president of China”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tmbeQwIp1I&feature=related
So yes, Conversation can get really “nasty” if there is any miscommunicating or misunderstanding of words
To me, I think that a group can function well even if they do not have a common chemistry. With a good leader providing good leadership in the team, He/She can help to delegate out the work so that each and everyone can do a part to make sure the project goes well.
To me, I think that a project group can run well too even if they group does not have a common interest or activity which can build up their chemistry.
However, this would require good leadership from a good leader. This way, He/She can help to delegate out job scopes to everyone so that they have a fair share of work.
On the other hand, I think that team dynamics would not be necessary unless it is a very specialized field. With the power of internet, there is not much limitation to what one can learn. However, one have to filter out information that are correct and accurate, if not, internet could do more harm than good
I agree very much that group development is of the essence. No man is an island. Seldom can we stand alone and we constantly need the support and encouragement of our peers. Not to say to add on to the joy in our daily lives!
Every member has a role to play within each group development stage, especially at the maintenance part, or also known as the norming stage. That is where trust develops. To add on, as a leader of a group as well it is crucial to engage and motivate your members. Being a leader doesn’t make one’s integrity higher; it just means more responsibilities to uphold as well as to be a role model, and constantly encourage.
The article above it pretty funny! Sure its a true story? Haha!
OMG! JAS its super funny! seems like president obama is a funny guy:)
group communication is very important especially when it comes to group assignment or even a workpalce. Everywhere is filled with people, everything you do you need to work with humans. This post gives me a better understanding that it is really important for people to play a part in the group be it an encourager, a motivator or a leader it is always important to live up to your responsibilty!
Its always important to be versatile when it comes to working in a group. Playing several characters is very important when it comes to a new group. Not trying to say that im like some kind of two headed or more freak but i think it is important to be flexible and compromise in the group. Not only does the chemistry play an important factor but it really depends on the expectation of the group.
Jas, i dun think its necessary to work in a group! i think its possible to be working alone. you see I’ve studied non stop and work in places that doesnt have much human interaction and now im just studying in UOL, all i need to do is just study? i dun even have many project work. And in the past i just do what i want to do in the group i didnt really need to care so much about the people in the group as i feel everybody should be task oriented and no emotions should come to play. Therefore, i dont think it is essential for people to compromise here and there for people:)
I seriously agree to fatdieme91, there are people out there who are really self-centered and are social loafers. We could not work with such people ater so many trying to talk things out and compromising each other. Hence task should meant to just be task and nothing else. Once emotions come to play it is really complicated. Yes group dynamics is important but i think the task at hand is equally important as well therefore trying to get the thing done one must really be task oriented and the directions all of us are heading must be the same!
Jas, do you think it would be more dangerous that miscomm occurs instead of not compromising each other in a group discussion. You can compromise all you want but if miscomm is around, there cant be any compromising availble. NOPE? im not very sure but just a question for you to ponder!
thanks alot secrestsdominance, come to think of it yeah! no matter how much you compromising if the person’s perception is fixed there are no other options that we can do. Perceptions are hard to change just like impression. Miscomm is always the factor in most things not only in a group but also in relationships!