Group effectiveness relies on several things. The group size, individual traits of the members, the nature of the task, leadership style, the group’s inspiration to achieve its goals and also group roles are significant in having an effective group. In any group work, group roles play a major role in determining the effectiveness of the group. At some point in my life, I participated in some group work and undertook various roles. Therefore, in this paper, I will discuss the group roles I undertook in a research group work for the classwork that I participated in. Those group roles include; recorder, elaborator, and encourager.
I have ever participated in a research group work for my classwork where we were needed to carry out research and discuss in groups of ten people. To be productive in the group work, I committed myself to the task role of being the recorder. My role was to record decisions, take down group minutes, writing suggestions and implications made by the group members (“Managing Group Communication” 175). My role of being a recorder was very important in ensuring that the work was done systematically and also making sure those important points were recorded. The role of a recorder was efficient and effective in ensuring the group’s success. The recorded minutes and suggestion acts as points of reference throughout the group work which facilitated a smooth transition in the various activities for the group work. Recording the group’s minutes helped in compiling and drafting the final findings and work to be presented as our group’s final work to our professor for grading.
Being an elaborator was another group role that I undertook. I focused on expounding on my group members’ points that were not clearly explained. In essence, I would provide examples and rationales to clarify points given by each member of the group. Elaborating on points that members give in the group discussion helps to have a good understanding. The presence of an elaborator in group work helps in coordinating points and rationales given by the group to provide a better understanding and as well helps to avoid confusion and repetition of points and assertions (“Managing Group Communication” 175). My role as an elaborator was effective in the group work since it enabled our group to come up with proper and independent points and rationale that do not overlap. It was evident that the presence of an elaborator in the group helped to save time as it avoided random and unorganized argumentative discussions.
Another group role that I took was the maintenance role of being an encourager. I took an active role as an encourager to applaud and appreciate every comment or point that each member gave in the group (“Managing Group Communication” 175). This motivated the group members to participate freely without any fear of intimidation or ridicule suppose they gave inappropriate invalid points. My role as an encourager seemed to be effective since as I continue to praise everyone who gave a point, they became freer to give more points than facilitated the group work. The group work ended up being effective, due to the stimulated active participation by the members by giving many points and rationales to use in the research work.
To sum up, in this group discussion, the group roles of being a recorder, elaborator, and encourager significantly facilitated the group work’s effectiveness. I assumed these roles because I wanted to take active participation in the group so as to contribute to the success of the group in achieving its goal and as well get to learn and understand clearly the task we were working on for my own academic advantage. Therefore, taking group roles is important in ensuring the effectiveness of group work.