Creating Effective Groups: The Art of Small Group Communication

This practical book gives students the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to communicate more effectively and interact more productively in the small group setting. With the help of this book, any group member can learn the skills necessary to participate in and lead a task group in an effective, productive, and healthy manner. The fourth edition features new content on communicating within virtual groups and conducting online meetings.

Table of Contents:
CHAPTER 1 Working in a Group Working in Groups Four Elements of a Problem-Solving Group The Small Group as a System The Power of One Characteristics of Groups The Power of Diversity Individual and Group Exercises CHAPTER 2 Discovering Yourself Being Open to Self-Discovery Spending Time by Yourself Self-Discovery Inventories Speaking Kindly to Yourself Accepting Yourself Accepting Others Critically Thinking About Yourself As A Communicator Individual and Group Exercises CHAPTER 3 Expressing Yourself Clearly Communication Is a Learned Behavior Five Roles That Prevent Clear Expression The Communication Process I-Statements Four Levels of Communication Gender Differences in Conversational Strategies Guidelines for Speaking Clearly Reducing Anxiety When Speaking Defensive vs. Supportive Group Climates Individual and Group Exercises CHAPTER 4 Listening for Understanding The Importance of Listening The Process of Listening Poor Listening Styles Barriers to Listening Acceptance: A Requirement for Listening Listening for Understanding: Active Listening Advantages of Active Listening Guidelines for Active Listening Intercultural Awareness S.O.A.R. Technique Individual and Group Exercises CHAPTER 5 Problem Solving in Groups Myths of Small Group Problem Solving Decision-Making Techniques Discussion Questions The Standard Problem-Solving Agenda The Circular Nature of Problem Solving Being More Creative Individual and Group Exercises CHAPTER 6 Preparing for Discussion You Don’t Know Everything We Can Always Know More Where to Research What to Research Constructing an Information Sheet Using Visual Aids Testing Evidence and Reasoning Recognizing Logical Fallacies Ethical Communication Your Time Management Individual and Group Exercises CHAPTER 7 Guiding Discussion Guiding Discussion to a Shared Path Task-Guiding Behaviors Social-Guiding Behaviors Being an Effective Follower Individual and Group Exercises CHAPTER 8 Leading a Group What Is Leadership? Approaches to Leadership The Attitude of the Servant Leader Leading an Effective Meeting Taking Care of Yourself as the Leader Individual and Group Exercises CHAPTER 9 Building a Cohesive Group The Social Dimension Feeling Successful Feeling Connected Feeling Valued Feeling Supported Trusting Others Groupthink: When Groups Are Too Cohesive Individual and Group Exercises CHAPTER 10 Managing Conflict A Different Approach to Conflict Myths of Conflict Advantages of Conflict Three Types of Group Conflict Dealing with Procedural Conflict Dealing with Substantive Conflict Dealing with Interpersonal Conflict Specific Interventions for Dysfunctional Behavior Forgiveness Individual and Group Exercises

About the Author :
Randy Fujishin taught speech communications at West Valley College, a community college in Saratoga, California. He is the author of several successful communications books, including The Art of Communication, Gifts from the Heart, Discovering the Leader Within, and The Natural Speaker.

Review :
Fujishin's book is packed with useful tips on communicating more effectively. It is concise, engaging, and shares valuable insights for students to care for themselves. Along the way, it provides great small group discussion activities. I highly recommend this text.