Group Goals, Communication, Decision Making, Controversy and Creativity - Essay Example

? Group Goals, Communication, Decision Making, Controversy and Creativity Dennis Manzo Management 623 Team and Group Dynamics Rose June 15,2011 Group Goals, Communication, Decision Making, Controversy and Creativity In view of the diagnosis of one’s group goals in terms of clarity, operability, relevance, and interdependence and commitment of group members, the initial findings suggested recommendations to improve the weaknesses identified. In this regard, the current paper aims to address the specific areas for improvement by detailing a plan of action of what I can specifically do. As indicated, this paper builds on the previous diagnosis and requires one to synthesize findings from four different ways of looking at a group, to wit: (1) goals, (2) communication, (3) decision making and (4) controversy and creativity. Background on Assessment of Group Goals From the previous diagnosis, it was found that as the group’s leader governing the participation of the advisory board composed of eight executive directors at the affiliated dental schools, the group goals were deemed to be weak in the areas of clarity, operability, relevance, and interdependence and commitment of group members. Despite being deemed to be understood by all members, the goals were not explicitly and formally written; were universal and generalized in nature; defined in abstract terms; with members exhibiting high cohesiveness but low in performance. In this regard, the recommendations are hereby detailed according to the set categories: Goals In the next general meeting to be scheduled this July 2011, as the group’s leader, I would prioritize in the agenda the need to explicitly state and formally write the goals of the group with identified time frames. As previously noted, the group goals which were assumed to be clearly and explicitly understood are: student growth, integrity, student training for entry-level jobs in the dental field, financial strength (profit), compliance with state and federal regulations, and student outcomes (graduation and employment for our students). These generally stated abstractly defined goals should be stated as follows: Student Growth: we should envision increasing the number of students by 20% for the next school year, 2011 – 2012. Financial Strength: dental schools should aim to generate at least 35% net profits by the end of the fiscal year, 2011. Integrity: Members and associates are expected to adhere and conform to ethical standards, moral principles, uprightness, honesty and sincerity at all times. Student Training: Upon entry-level, students are encouraged to undergo specifically designed training programs to increase competency and qualifications in their fields of endeavor. Compliance with Regulations: Members and associates are expected to adhere and conform to state and federal regulations in the governance of the affiliated dental schools. Student Outcomes: Members and associates would seek affiliations with private and public institutions for possible employment of graduates from respective dental schools and target to assist more than 50% of graduates for future careers by 2012. Communication An open communication is always encouraged among group members to ensure that issues and concerns are immediately brought to light and could be discussed and resolved in the next scheduled meeting. While the ultimate goal of communication is to share meanings, it is also to share them in order to arrive at the outcome for which communication is intended. Communication is intended to elicit action towards the achievement of certain goals. The sender must clarify the goals if action is to be possible at all. According to Carnes (2010), “for a group to achieve a goal, three things have to happen. Goals must be formulated effectively according to sound goal-setting principles. Goals must be effectively communicated to every team member. Finally, team members must feel that they "own" these goals” (par. 1). Papa (2011) validated the importance of clearly setting goals in the communication process among members, as she averred that “goal-setting enables communication to be more effective, and provides direction and an objective to focus on” (par. 1). Experience common to participants helps enhance communication process. The greater the area of shared experience, the greater the likelihood that communication would succeed, the meaning understood, accepted and used. For our group of executive directors, who have been on this field of endeavor for long, the group’s shared experiences assist in resolution of concerns and issues. When group goals are clearly and explicitly written, the more effective the flow of communication is expected to become. Decision Making When issues and problems are identified and need to be resolved, members of the group use various decision making approaches to assist in coming up with the appropriate course of action. To explicitly state the group goals, for example and put them in writing, as proposed, group members need to evaluate the proposed specific statements and to arrive at a consensus. Using the rational approach to decision making, the members are given the opportunity to evaluate the problem by clearly defining it, gather enough information to propose for alternative courses of action, analyze each alternatives and choose the best from among the options to arrive at the most viable solution. As indicated in the Happy Manager (2011), “a rational decision making model provides a structured and sequenced approach to decision making. Using such an approach can help to ensure discipline and consistency is built into your decision making process” (par. 1). Each member is familiar with the rational decision making approach through experience in governing the affiliated dental schools. In this regard, decision-making process has always been effectively structured and issues immediately resolved. The only eminent problem that the group might encounter in problem solving and decision making processes is the number of active participants involved in the processes. When issues are complex and intricate, complete attendances of the eight executive directors are expected before a decision is to be made. This standard has always been observed to ensure that each member’s inputs and feedback on particularly relevant issues are equally heard and accounted for. Controversy and Creativity The issue of resolving controversy in goal setting, just like in conflict-resolution situations, requires various approaches ranging from using authority, compromising, negotiating and use of arbitration or mediation, if necessary. In one’s particular group, I plan to resolve controversies through face-to-face negotiations, laying out the cards, analyzing alternatives and weighing costs and benefits of each alternative. I will encourage group contacts through frequent communication and exchange of information that would prevent the development of misperceptions about the intentions or meanings relayed by one member to another, or of general issues, as presented. Preventing controversies is generally easier to accomplish than resolving it. As the group leader, I plan to emphasize on total group effectiveness, better communication, highlighting the importance of roles and responsibilities within the group, and avoiding win-lose situations. Creativity would be emphasized in terms of encouraging innovative ideas and through highlighting the need to achieve overall group goals. I plan to solicit as much feedback as possible from all group members and acknowledge the most creative or innovative idea through recognition and holistic support. Conclusion The current paper was able to successfully address the specific areas for improvement by detailing a plan of action of what I can specifically do. As indicated, this paper was able to build on the previous diagnosis and synthesized findings from four different ways of looking at a group: through goals, communication, decision making, and controversy and creativity. The most important concern is to put specific group goals in writing. According to Matthews (2008), the study conducted in the Dominican University validated that “written goals have a distinct and statistically significant impact on the achievement of goals” (3). Reinforcing the need for goal setting is hereby supported and validated as it aims to provide a more structured direction to what the group envisions to achieve in the near future. References Carnes, D. (2010). Communication and goal setting. Retrieved 13 June 2011. < http://www.livestrong.com/article/204774-communication-goal-setting/> Happy Manager. (2011). Rational decision making model. Retrieved 13 June 2011. < http://www.the-happy-manager.com/rational-decision-making-model.html> Matthews, G. (2008). Goals research summary. Retrieved 13 June 2011. < http://sidsavara.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/researchsummary2.pdf> Papa, N. (2011). Goal setting and communication. Retrieved 13 June 2011. < http://www.ehow.com/about_6621214_goal-setting-communication.html> Read More