Team Roles and Communication Techniques in Group Dynamics

Brainstorming Techniques

Brainstorming: It consists of producing the greatest number of ideas possible on an individual case. The only rule is not to criticize any idea. Initially, increase the ideas; what matters is to collect more, the better.

Team Roles in Work Teams

There are several roles within work teams, often referred to as 'Tripology Roles':

• Leader: Influences the team and is involved in the problems.
• Coordinator: Guides and directs the team towards the goals.
• Investigator: Collects data and provides factual information.
• Expert: Is the most knowledgeable on a particular topic and provides expertise.
• Animator: Stimulates the rest of the members, fostering a good growing environment.
• Spokesperson: Collects and exhibits the views regarding the team's progress.
• Observer: Monitors the team's evolution and climate.
• Opponent: Consistently opposes everything, whatever it is.
• Manipulator: Guides the team toward their personal interests.
• Joker (Gracioso): Interrupts the team's work with continuous jokes.
• Accuser: Does not offer ideas but provides critical mistakes and failures of others.
• Shy: Does not usually express their own ideas but can have interesting input.
• Indifferent: Seems uninterested; only wants to finish as soon as possible to leave.
• Dominator: Attacks the team, influencing through fear.

Communication Skills and Techniques

Active Listening

Involves having a positive attitude and paying attention.

Encouraging Active Listening:

• Show empathy.
• Ask questions to the speaker.
• Provide feedback.
• Summarize.

Active Listening Difficulties:

• Barriers to communication.
• Lack of empathy.
• Not paying attention.

Assertiveness

It is the ability to defend one's ideas while respecting the opinions of others.

Techniques:

• Broken Record: Repeatedly express what we want to achieve.
• Fog Bank: Acknowledging criticisms only partially, without justifying ourselves to our partner.
• Negative Interrogation: Responding to criticism by seeking clarification.

Empathy

It is a key social skill: being able to be aware, recognize, understand, and appreciate the feelings of others.

Group Dynamics Techniques

Dramatization or Role Playing

This involves representing or dramatizing a situation for the purpose of depersonalization so that the group can understand, analyze, and discuss it.

Phillips 66

Subgroups of six people discuss a topic for six minutes. After the discussion, a spokesperson from each group presents the findings, and a general conclusion is drawn.

Case Study

Examining a case with a specific situation or problem presented to the group, usually in writing. Each participant studies it individually for a predetermined time. After individual analysis, the solution is studied in groups or subgroups, then solutions are discussed, and the best rating is chosen, although there may be several solutions.