Leadership in groups
Even though society consists of groups of people, an important part of the qualities are brought in by each separate individual. This is why leadership in groups is extremely important. There are leaders in religious settings, social and professional. Business and work environments are always in extreme need of a leader who can determine the right course of action, and make sure that the group functions properly.
Leadership is a vital component of every organization. It defines the values, goals, and objectives of employees and the company itself. Effective leadership not only defines these elements but also, determines how they are achieved. The success of leadership and organization emanates from the personal style of the leader and the company’s goals. Therefore, to ensure success, it is important to work with good leaders who are focused on positive results. It is crucial that the person is respectable, reliable, and just. Since the market and economy greatly influence the outcome of the leader’s plans and goals, it is their direct responsibility to predict any fluctuations and prevent loss of stability and control.
Every leader faces a theoretical gap in relation to the practical control and functioning of an organization, and the knowledge or empirical understanding that was gained prior to becoming a member of the team. When an individual starts leading a group of people or has another leadership position, they will mobilize the resources and the processes that are necessary for taking charge. Often, resolving conflicts and adjusting to other team members is critical in making sure of the proper functioning of a group. Sometimes, the internal politics of an organization are not as clear cut before the person gets details about certain goals. For example, a business deal made by the management can look pointless by the other employees or team members. This stems from their lack of knowledge about the other organization or far off plans of the company. The strategies involved in leading an organization are very deep-reaching, so sometimes, it is hard to determine the specific reason for a decision (Robbins & Judge 2013).
It is obvious that every good leader has the ability to organize and mobilize forces that are directed towards the greater good of the company. This is why foresight and empirical knowledge should be balanced with practice. A great manager must be effective and practical in its management. The knowledge of the “trade” is very important, but the ability to use the information and apply it to practice is a skill that is just as important, if not more. They must have a friendly and fair relationship with fellow workers, even with those lower in the rank. At the same time, they have to be specific in the requests and regulations, so that there are a structure and order in the operation. As they are in charge and can take a more global look at the business structure, they have to shape the culture and the inner, as well as outer relations with other workers and the public.
Leaders uphold the responsibility for issues that affect the organization, people, and the greater society and ensure individual discipline in the company domain. The amount of work that the leader has is a lot for one individual, so uniting the efforts in the fight for a common goal must also be present. Considering all the qualities of a leader it is possible to see that the disadvantages must be minimal, if not non-existent at all. The leader can focus all attention on promoting policies and regulations, but cannot forget about the needs of others, leaving the minor organization and support to the team members.
Conflict within and between groups
Conflict, as well as cooperation, is an inseparable part of any society and a group of people. Any organization consists of employees and managers, people who are instrumental to the proper functioning of the company, and fulfillment of all necessary transactions. Since sometimes, work in the office can be stressful, it is possible to conclude that individuals will be feeling some form of stress or anxiety, as such, conflict resolution is instrumental in the individual, as well as team levels.
There are very many issues to address that are stressful in the work environment. These could relate to the tension between employees, employees, and managers, which makes it a “within-group conflict”. In case there is a conflict between employees and customers or other companies, a different strategy must be used because of the conflict of interests being external. When a conflict appears internally, a confident and friendly environment is expected by the workers towards the behavior of managers and other personnel. Every group must have a technique in dealing with and alleviating conflict and stress. Personal characteristics of each person, such as education, family matters, other personal issues, or even ownership feelings can interfere with the common interests of a group. Resolving a conflict is finding productive means for the group (Brown, 2011).
Developing proper communication techniques is key to conflict resolution, as it will allow for better understanding and cooperation in an organization. Addressing attitudes and behaviors of people in their views of other employees whom they might consider different or lower/higher in the position must be effective and personal. Managers and leaders would be instrumental in creating an environment that allows adaptation and future improvement of the personnel. People must be taught how to find common ground and establish the proper course of action which unites at least some part of employees’ individual views. It is stressed that an individual’s feelings play an equally important role in dealing with an event that is potentially stressful. Practicing self-control and techniques to calm down an elevated emotional response have proven to be useful in times of pressure and emotional instability.
Conflict management and resolution are important goals of any company. The quality and productivity of work depend on how people feel and what relationship they have with another company. A clear example can be seen in two competing organizations. Each one might use the unethical technique to publicly humiliate the company. A commercial between two types of drinks can be made, and one is shown to be thrown out or displayed in a “filthy” setting, whereas the other drink is shown in color and thirst-quenching. To minimize the conflict, a strong employee base must be present. It already has an established support division that can address any issues presented. In order to be successful in interest-based conflict management and resolution, a company must focus on the fact that conflicts are inevitable, both internally and externally.
Conflict resolution is an important aspect of life that must be used to mediate the situation and find ways that will help people determine the correct path of action. It is a preventative measure and is often used in a stressful and possibly, aggressive situation. Employees must acknowledge and understand that causes of conflict are systematic and attributable to the internal and external make-up of the system and company organization.
Communication in groups
Cooperation within any society and between individuals is based on communication. There are proper and incorrect ways to relay information to another person or group, so it is vital to be able to have the skills needed for interpersonal communication. The reasons for the specific transference of information are numerous, as a lot depends on the effectiveness of communication.
Communication is the unification of goals and plans which make the work easier and faster. The disadvantages are the conflicts in deciding the right path or direction. Too many ideas might intervene with an adequate choice of one, which will be most efficient. A disorganized communication structure will have immediate effects on the functioning of the corporation as a unit. Many times, there is a miscommunication between the management and employees. For example, an email sent out to specific people might raise concerns of others and make them feel left out. They will start gossiping about that person and communication will be minimal. In order to improve, there could be meetings for closer interaction with all the departments and individuals. Personal views of every worker in the company add to the greater understanding of the matters and areas that might need improvement, so making people communicate will prove beneficial.
Ethics is another important aspect of communication. People must feel respected and acknowledged when someone is talking to them. This is true in any situation, a family gathering, friendship, or work environment. In the end, people want understanding and consolation, so this can be qualified as one of the starting motives of communication. An individual wants others to share the pain or joy of an occurrence and so, they look to others for reassurance and acknowledgment. Interpersonal communication motives are very unique to a work environment because there are certain things that can be said which will not be allowed in a conversation with others. Leaders and managers play a great role in setting the framework for communication and interaction.
When people do not have a close personal connection or have just met someone, they are inclined to be more conserved and cautious. People often judge others on what they are told and sometimes, the slightest mix of words can mean something completely different from what was the purpose of a conversation. An example is a culture that is much different or an organization that stands for different principles. Strategic communication is another motive that is exhibited in the formal world. Because people function in a society, the main goal is to make sure that everyone around understands you exactly the way you want to be understood (Engleberg & Wynn, 2013).
As such, clarity and direction become extremely important. Most of the time, people use too many words to explain their feelings and needs. In order for others to keep their focus on your needs, a person must be quick and efficient. As an example, laws of any society are made explicitly direct and meaningful without the possibility of a different interpretation. The same can be said about the formality that is expected of people in work environments and thus, the process of interpersonal communication and its motives is a learned process, accessible by everyone who is determined and wanting.
Communication and its purpose are the unifying entities of all societies. People find elaborate ways to transfer information but it is most definitely a skill that must be adjusted towards the society, other people, and the internal processes. Organizations need proper communication, as it is a collective of people who will strive for success.
References
Brown, D. (2011). An Experiential Approach to Organization Development (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Engleberg, I. & Wynn, D. (2013). Working in Groups (6th ed.). Boston, NY: Houghton Mifflin.
Robbins, S. & Judge, T. (2013). Essentials of Organizational Behavior (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
