This chapter about groups and leaders provided a ton of useful information to help us as we begin working on our first group project. I found it really interesting that there was a consistent thread throughout the chapter, as well as the book itself, about how relationships are the key to everything regarding group work. The authors explained that group decisions are almost always more about the emotions, feelings, and relationships that we have with others as opposed to the actual ideas that people have and whether we agree with them or not. I remember seeing this happen in real time during my high school experience with regard to elections for class positions. Although this is something that occurs everywhere and thus will likely never cease to be true, having the awareness that this is what we’re doing can help us to make better decisions as individuals in a group.
I also found it curious how group culture is something that happens naturally when a group of people is formed. The authors explained how group culture is not something that we have to reestablish every time a group gets together. This point made me think about what it would be like if we did have to do this and how ineffective it would be for group collaboration. I think this natural ability for humans to form a group culture in whatever group we’re a part of and as a result, take on a role in that group, is what can make group work such an effective thing.
This idea of different roles in a group was a topic brought up in this chapter that I found particularly helpful. I think that having an understanding of the different member roles that exist within a group can also be a tool used to maximize the group’s success and productivity. Although group rules and roles don’t always have to be formal, the common understanding that all group members share is what makes a group able to function together as a team.
