Essential Skills for an Excellent Career - Assignment Example

A group is made up of all types of people with different personality and different perspective or point of views. How these people interact, communicate, and relate to one another is a key factor in determining how successful the group will be at achieving its mission. How do people behave in groups that you work with The way that people behave in groups varies in some aspects. Some people are helpful and supportive, others are more concerned about getting the work done, and still others can cause friction, disharmony or discord within the team. You have probably worked in groups that are effective and groups that are less or not effective. While there is no magic elixir upon knowing what moves groups forward and what limits their progress can be helpful whenever you are working in a group or team. In order for the group members of the team to have a harmonious relationship with each other they need to determine the strength and weakness of one other. To ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of each member of the group they need to identify the characters or roles of each member of the group. This will enable the group to help themselves adjust and cope with the each other and this will hasten to achieve the groups' desired goals harmoniously. There are certain and specific roles under a certain category that each member possesses during a group communication. Two theorists on group behavior were Kenneth Benne and Paul Sheats, who wrote an influential article titled "Functional Roles of Group Members" back in the 1940s. In it, they defined 26 different group roles that can be played by one or more people within a group. Their work influenced other early research and thinking on group functions. And whilst more recent research has refined many of these ideas. Benne and Sheats defined three categories of group roles: task roles, personal/social roles, and dysfunctional or individualistic roles. One of the films that portray a good representation of a group role is the, "MEAN GIRLS". The movie, Mean Girls, made a good representation of how every individual in a clique affect one another and the progress of the group. Cady, Regina, Karen, and Gretchen, who were called "the PLASTICS" in that movie, played their characters with individuality in a group having a different personality and perspective. Cady Heron's role in that group is the opinion giver because she expresses her own opinions and beliefs on a certain matter that her friends were initializing. Often states opinions in terms of what the group should do and should not do. This is because she grew up in a place where her parents taught her moral values. She is also the encourager she affirms supports and praises the efforts of fellow group members. Demonstrates warmth and provides a positive attitude towards her friends. In one of the films best lines after a telling off from Regina, Cady tries to comfort Karen wherein she told Karen that she is not stupid. She is also the harmonizer of the group she conciliates differences between individuals. Seeks ways to reduce tension and diffuse a situation. She is also an observer because she provides feedback to the group about how it is functioning. Another powerful character in that movie is Regina George. Although the high school students seemed to both adore and loath Regina George, her powerful position within the social organization at the school had many visible effects on her followers' behavior. Classmates copied Regina's style and vocabulary, and passed along Regina's gossip with vigor. In fact, the behavior of her closest friends was regulated by specific rules governing what to wear, who to date, and who to befriend. Their proximity to power was intoxicating despite Regina's mistreatment-so much so that when Gretchen was demoted to a lower position in the social hierarchy, "she knew it was better to be in the Plastics-hating life-than to not be in at all." Regina is the aggressor of the group she makes personal attacks using belittling and insulting comments, for example, "That's the most ugliest bracelet I've ever seen." Actions are usually an attempt to decrease another member's status. She is also a blocker because she always opposes every idea or opinion that is put forward. The result is that the group stalls because it can't get past the resistance. She is a disrupter of the group because she often distracts other people by telling jokes, playing pranks, or even threatening other people in order for her to get what she wants. She is also the dominator. She tries to control and dictate what people should be doing. Often monopolize the group member especially her two lapdogs Gretchen and Karen. Gretchen herself, is a character of her own, not just a cardboard minion to follow orders. Neurotic, shallow, desperate, beautiful, loyal and rather uncertain she is perhaps the saddest and most sympathetic of the Plastics - a girl who certainly has the looks and money to make it to the top of the pyramid but who lacked the will or the certainty. She is the follower of the group because she accepts what others say and decide even though she has not contributed to the decision or expressed own thoughts. Karen is an airhead, and if not actively proud of it, at least accepting. She does not seem cruel herself, possibly because she is simply too shallow and dense, but she does not seem a bad person. Which for the second minion (Gretchen outranks her) to the villainous is quite a remarkable achievement. She is the compromiser of the group because she is willing to yield position or meet others half way. Let us not forget the two first friends of Cady, Janis and Damian. They are the observer and commentator in the film because they provide (especially Janis) feedback to the group about how it is functioning. Often seen when a group wants to set, evaluate, or change its standards and processes. They are also the orientor because in the movie they review and clarify the group's position (pertaining to the plastics). Provides a summary of what has been accomplished, notes where the group has veered off course, and suggests how to get back on target. Bibliography: 1. Mind tools: Essential Skills for an Excellent Career; Mind Tools Ltd, 1995-2008, All Rights Reserved (http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_85.html). 2. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; This page was last modified on 18 November 2008, at 00:08; "Mean Girls"(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_Girls) All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details.) 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