Small Group Communication

Josh Emington

emington@msu.edu

Benefits of Policy

The agenda and policies in general should protect the fairness of the meeting and the voices of the meek.

The most popular rule book for meeting order.

Balancing Act

Social Task

Agenda

Setting an Agenda Decision-making Models

Reflective Thinking Ideal Solution Pattern Single Question Sequence

Issues to Address – Vigilant Interaction Theory

Decision Techniques Group Decision Support System (GDSS)

Setting an Agenda

Individual or group decision? Experts? | Time? | Complexity? |

Acceptance? Social Facilitation Common Business Meeting Format

The Average Business Meeting

John Dewey

Reflective Thinking

1910

Reflective Thinking Competition

Identify a public and evident problem on campus for us to investigate.

Each group will have 20 minutes to prepare their Idea/Plan. The slides illuminating the question sequence will advance every 3 minutes and 20 seconds, although you may spend as much time as you like on any given question or subquestion. One group member will orally present your idea to the class. The time limit for this speech will be 3 minutes. Each individual must then use the google doc to vote for their personal favorite idea. You may not vote for your own group. To vote simple type your name under the group of the idea you prefer. Winner takes home a team-comp point.

Reflective ThinkingI. What is the nature of the

problem?II. What criteria, or standards for

judging an effective solution , should we set?

III.What alternatives might meet the causes of this problem and alleviate the harm?

IV. What is the best solution for this problem?

V. What plans will we set in order to implement our solution?

VI.How will we evaluate the effect of our solution?

Reflective Thinking I. What is the nature of the problem?

What are the particulars of our problem?▪ What is the problem?▪ Do we understand the terms?▪ What outcome is expected of our group?

What harm is present in the current situation?▪ What is the harm?▪ Who is affected?▪ How serious is the harm?▪ How widespread is the harm?

What seems to be causing the problem?▪ What factors seem to be causing the harm?▪ What are the obstacles to successfully removing the

causes of harm?

Reflective Thinking II. What criteria, or standards for

judging an effective solution , should we set? What important conditions –criteria-

must an effective solution meet? Are some criteria more important than

others?▪ If so, rank-order them.

Reflective Thinking III.

What alternatives might meet the causes of this problem and alleviate the harm? List these alternatives for review.

Reflective Thinking IV.

What is the best solution for this problem? Which of these, or what combination of

these, solutions seems most likely to counter the causes of this problem?

Of the solutions that seem likely to be effective, which ones meet the criteria that were set?

Given solutions that are likely to counter the causes, and meet the criteria set, what seems to be the best solution?

Reflective Thinking V. What plans will we set in order to implement

our solution? What needs to be done? In what order? By whom?

Reflective Thinking VI.

How will we evaluate the effect of our solution? What observable evidence will we

monitor to evaluate the effect of our solution?

Who will be responsible for follow-up evaluation?

Ideal Solution Pattern

I. Does everyone agree on the nature of the problem?

II. What would be the ideal solution from the point of view of all interested persons in groups involved?

III. Which conditions within the situation could be changed to achieve the ideal solution?

IV. Of the solutions available to us, which one best approximates the ideal solution?

Eggs of Excellence

Eggs of Excellence Two group members are blindfolded and must

carry the egg on the spoon with one hand, without touching it.

One member of the group may not touch anything.

Remaining members of the group may not speak or touch the spoon or eggs.

The first group to successfully carry 2 unbroken eggs to the bell tower from the chapel wins a team-comp point.

Using the Ideal Solution Pattern you will have 5 minutes to hold a meeting in preparation for this activity.

Ideal Solution Pattern

I. Does everyone agree on the nature of the problem?

II. What would be the ideal solution from the point of view of all interested persons in groups involved?

III. Which conditions within the situation could be changed to achieve the ideal solution?

IV. Of the solutions available to us, which one best approximates the ideal solution?

Single Question Sequence What is the single question whose answer gives

the group all it needs to accomplish its purpose?

Which sub questions must be answered before we can answer the single question?

Do we have sufficient information to answer the subquestions confidently?

What are the most reasonable answers to subquestions?

Assume that our answers to the subquestions are correct, what is the best solution to the problem?

Which bear is best?

Using Twitter, let’s hold a meeting using the Single Question Sequence to determine the answer.

Hashtag: #bestbear

Let’s shoot for 10 minutes.

Single Question Sequence What is the single question whose answer gives

the group all it needs to accomplish its purpose?

Which sub questions must be answered before we can answer the single question?

Do we have sufficient information to answer the subquestions confidently?

What are the most reasonable answers to subquestions?

Assume that our answers to the subquestions are correct, what is the best solution to the problem?

Vigilant Interaction Theory

“Be cautious in your decision making”

- Randy Hirokawa

Vigilant Interaction Theory Important Issues

I. Examining the problemII. Clarifying objectivesIII. Developing available choicesIV. Examining potential

consequences

Techniques

Brainstorming Focus Groups Nominal Group Delphi Buzz groups

Extra Credit Opportunity

1pt. Capture a 5 minute video clip of your

group meeting to plan for your final project.

Post the video to YouTube with your set agenda and personal meeting notes in the description portion.

Post the link in the Facebook group.

Marketing the ShakeWeight

Google Docs BrainstormingNominal Group Technique for valuation500,000 is available for this new marketing idea.

Decision Methods

Consensus Compromise Majority Vote By Leader Arbitration

Also … No one has completed the hidden extra credit…

Thank you

Don’t forget to read for next class and complete your online assignment for points.

Also send any questions you or your

group have and I will focus on answering them.