Problem Solving and Decision Making

This week I was able to observe through an in class activity how a member of another group interacted with the members of his group. During this interesting exercise I analyzed his interactions with the group to determine his role in the group and his style of communication. Through this activity I can give feedback to the person I observed and also improve my communication skills by taking away some new ideas. I can always improve my communication technique and this was a good activity achieve this. Really, this can be done through other observation in our daily lives. It just takes a little extra thinking when you are watching a TV show, playing sports, or simply hanging out with friends. Taking the time to analyze others will improve our problem solving and decision making techniques.

-Marcus

What I learned this week

This week I learned the techniques on how to develop a discussion plan with a group. First you must get acquainted with your group members. Secondly you need to clarify the goals of the group. Next you need do develop a plan for gathering information and analyzing the issue. Following that you need to follow a structured agenda to accomplish the task. You should be supportive of other group members. Then finally the group need to determine how to present you information. I also learned other things but this is the most important thing I learned this week.

LaMon Lacey

Google Docs

This past week, our Com 320 class had to work in new groups to solve problems via a task force. Since there was such a short notice for this assignment, and none of us had time to meet outside of class, we decided to use the Google Docs. When dealing with a group on a short time limit, this is one of the best websites I have ever used to collaborate ideas. Google Docs allowed us to upload the power point notes we had taken in class. By using the 4 Guys and a Girl password, we were able to all simultaneously work on this project on the internet. It allowed us to complete the project using all of our ideas on our own time. Not only did we save time, but we were able to turn in a well constructed power point.

I recommend any group needing to work on some type of document to use Google Docs.

http://docs.google.com/

Audrie-5

4 guys and a girl

After several weeks, our groups' interpersonal skills and organization has helped us to transform into a cohesive group. We have not had any problems with meta discussions due to the groups' awareness of our goals in which we are trying to achieve. We have been very productive with our community service project by meeting consistently every week to discuss our plans and give each other feedback. Meetings have been productive and concise because everyone plays out their role to get tasks accomplished. As we get closer to our service project event, we will review each members' role in the project to avoid techniques that might cause conflicts to make it a complete success.

Preparing to Collaborate

This week we were placed into new working groups to solve a case study. Our group naturally went through the steps of preparing to collaborate in sequence which we covered in chapter 8. When we first got acquainted with our group members, everyone gave a brief introduction of themselves and exchanged e-mails and telephone numbers. After reading our case study, we clarified the goals for our group and who should carry out which tasks. Then we developed a plan for analyzing the issues and information addressed. By being supportive towards our group members and their decisions, there was no problems with coming up with solutions for the case study. In the end, we were able to determine how to present our information by using the following steps.
1. Identify and define our problem
2. Analyze the problem
3. Generate several possible solutions to satisfy our customers from Jet Blue Airlines
4. Select the best possible combinations of solutions

By keeping ourselves organized and following through with our well-structured plans, our group was able to stay on track and accomplish our goals.

Julian Stevens

Problem Solving and Decisions

During class last week we listened to Jasmine lecture about problem solving, and we did an activity to prioritize a list of items based on a given scenario. We should when we encounter such a problem do the following:

Identify the problem

Analyze the problem

Generate solutions

Select the best solution

Test and implement solutions

When the activity actually took place, we certainly identified the problem and analyzed it to some extent. We generated individual solutions, and then cam together to generate a final solution. As a group we saw each others' perspectives on the scenario and were able to see and understand other solutions to the problem. As an individual it was more difficult to generate solutions because of time and a single mind analyzing the problem. Once we discussed the solutions as a group, we were able to select the best solution. Our score reflected our ability to generate several solutions and selecting the best one. Our group score was much better than most of the individuals, which shows the importance of following the problem solving methods and working in a group.
-Marcus

Problem Solving Techniques and Decision Making

In class this week, we were given an assignment in which we had to utilize problem-solving techniques. I was able to get a better comprehension on how to analyze the given situation by using the is/is not analysis deriving from ch.10. This technique ensured that I was not just analyzing the symptoms, but also the problem. After some time, we were able to get into our groups in order to take more time to deliberate and focus more on the best possible solutions for the given situation. This was a great exercise because it allowed for us to practice other techniques that we had learned prior, such as decision making. During our group interaction, communication was disrupted due to other competing tensions pulling the conversation into multiple directions. This is also known as the dialectical theory. The hardest stage was the conflict stage. There were several attempts at changing others' opinions and reinforcing each individuals' opinion. However, at the end our group was able to come up with concrete solutions to our problems in which we were trying to accomplish.

Julian Stevens

Conflict within the Group

Our group's main goal is to complete our service learning project, however we have had a few trials along the way. Our first and main problem is showing up on time. We meet every Tuesday at 8:00 in Hicks Library. This time has been set aside since the beginning, but it seems every time we meet, someone is running at least 10 minutes behind. Although that is not a long time period, 10 minutes makes a big difference when the group is just waiting to start. At our next group meeting, this is one of the main things we need to talk about. Our project execution is coming up, and I want to make sure that everyone shows up on time.

The other conflict we have relates to being on time. Showing up for class is something that not everyone is our group can be counted on to do each period. It is becoming more important for everyone to come to class because time has been set aside for group work in the upcoming days. If our entire group is not there, we will not be able to accomplish everything we want to.

Even though we have conflict our group has been able to work through it because so far according to social exchange theory, the benefits outweigh the negatives. Unless that changes, we will be able to continue our group work, but we need to address this issue before negatives appear.

Audrie-4

Personal Space

I am a person who whole-heartedly believes in having my own personal space. When someone I don't know is approaching my way to have a conversation, I always make sure the appropriate distances is kept. There is a defined balance between the need for affection and the need for privacy.

According to the Com 320 textbook, there are four different levels of space divided into zones. These zones are called the intimate zone, personal zone, social zone, and public zone. Each has defined limits and different communication reactions. The public zone is 12 feet and beyond. Public speakers generally keep this amount of distance between them and their audience. Social space used for group interaction and business professionals is kept between 4 and 12 feet. The personal zone is meant for conversations with friends and families. Groups also use this zone but sometimes 1 and a half to four feet is too close for group interaction. Finally, the intimate zone is between zero and 1 and a half feet. This zone is reserved for the most personal conversations and contacts. It is unlikely a group with use this zone for communication.

It is important to understand these four zones and their limits. When our groups goes to Lafayette Urban Ministry we need to know our boundaries for proper communication with the younger children. We will most likely stay within the social zone for group activity.

Audrie 3

Conflict Types

As a group 4 guys & a girl we have weekly meeting on every tuesday. I'm proud to say that as a group we haven't ran across any of the three conflicts that were covered in ch.7 Pg 159 Pseudo, Simple and Ego Conflict. Pseudo Conflict is the individuals misunderstanding each other's perceptions of a problem. Simple Conflict is a disagreement over a course of action, idea, policy, or procedure. Ego Conflict is the defense of ego: individual believes he or she is being attacked personally.

Lamon Lacey

Negotiations

Our discussion in class on Monday on Negotiation reminded me of a trip I made to China in the summer of 2008. I was in China for over two weeks, and of course, I did plenty of shopping for myself and friends. Shopping there is much different than here in the United States. In the markets in China, prices are negotiable. One would be unwise to not do so. I spent hours in the market negotiating a price for all my items. It was very different than what I was used to. The sales people are very aggressive. Sometimes they will even grab your arm as you walk away from a sale. I thought I was pretty decent at negotiating, but then saw some of my friends' technique of double teaming. One guy would go in and start negotiating and then a couple minutes later the other would walk up and tell him that it wasn't a good deal. They would both walk away, but the sales person would still try to sell to them. Eventually, the sales person caved in and my friends got a real deal. I was used to whatever negotiating in the US that took place where I meet the other person in the middle. There, however, to get the best deal, you have to stick to your price and not give in to anything higher. You had to be just as aggressive as they were, which takes some getting used to. You can get a glimpse into one of the markets I visited with this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBSsbWVZzto&feature=fvw

-Marcus

Nonverbal cues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbGV2_8Yqg4 After watching this video, I noticed a lot of nonverbal cues. I noticed sexual postures, movements and gestures. I watched seductive eye contact and facial expressions as well. And I also noticed the singer's personal appearance, as far as her clothing and BODY SHAPE. This video is a great example of how nonverbal cues are used, besides the fact of her signing.

LaMon Lacey

I am impressed with the work done by all of my group members on our community service project for the Lafayette Urban Ministry. I have had the opportunity to experience the characteristics of a decision-making group (ch.1).Everyone has had useful suggestions in which we used to put ideas together into a cohesive and workable proposal. It was interesting to see how each group member shared past knowledge and experiences and collaborated them all together to aid our group’s decision-making process. Today our group had to "make a certain choices from among several alternatives. The group discussed what the possible choices were, realized the consequences of the choices, and then selected the best alternative that best met the goal" for our community service project. Our group has done a good job with dealing and fading away from false consensuses. Everyone tends to agree on ideas proposed and choose to share with the other members of the group without keeping suggestions to themeselves. Of course there are disagreements, however, we are good at weighing out the best possible decsions. The advantage of our style of decision making is that it leads to a high degree of buy-in and commitment to the decision by all members of the group. 4 Guys and A Girl have been actively involved in the decision making process and all of our interests are addressed.

--Julian L. Stevens--

Group Confilict

I saw some extreme examples this weekend on the History Channel with motorcycle gangs throughout the United States. Conflict is rampant between groups and even within. A gang member of one group was caught hugging a gang member of another group at a funeral. An order went out from one of the gangs to beat up any of the other gang in sight because of a simple gesture. They described on the History Channel of a father kicked out of a gang because he defended his own son in the same gang because the son gotten in an argument with an older member of the gang. Fights even break out within a gang.

This television show reminded me of what was talked about in class: group conflict. They handle conflict very different from me. I avoid it at all costs. The gangs face it head on, usually with fists, knives, and guns. They handle it really "well" according to their style. They know how to resolve an issue though most of the time it is void of all morals. They make a plan and get it done right away. Here is a video from the History Channel on the Sons of Silence.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vA-eclejDs&feature=PlayList&p=52D76DF06D304CE5&index=58

-Marcus

A GUIDE TO ACTIVE LISTENING

Although I am an Ag communications major, I am not always the best listener. Sometimes I have too short of an attention span, and I now understand why. "Most people speak at a rate of about 100 to 125 words per minute, but they have the capacity to think or listen at a rate of 400 or more words per minute!" (pg. 126 of Communicating in Small Groups). With such a difference in rates, no wonder I have such a hard time paying attention.

~There are a few things that I can work on to become a better listener. According to the textbook, I should stop, look, listen, ask appropriate questions, paraphrase content, and paraphrase feelings. Most of these skills, I already have. I think I just need to work on keeping focused during conversations and trying my hardest not to let my mind wonder. This fact will be especially helpful during our group meetings.

~At our past meeting, I found myself working harder to pay attention to everything my group was saying. Although I did not agree with everything that was talked about, I was proud of myself for being attentive. In the future, if I keep my mind focused I know I can be a better active listener.

Audrie Koester-post 2