Group Analysis

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Introduction

An important part of our learning and growing experience must stem from our ability to analyze and reflect upon the groups that we have been members in. This reflection can define our understanding of the weaknesses both in ourselves and in the others within our group; and it can help to shape the way that we act in future groups. Adjusting ourselves to compensate for our weaknesses, based upon an honest and thorough examination of our actions within a group setting, is one of most important thing for any person to do. It is only through this evaluation that we can improve ourselves and our interactions with others. This paper will examine a group that was required to make an important decision about adding a new member to the management team, and this group struggled with the decision. I will explain the different ways that conflict emerged between the group members, and why the team members came to disagree so adamantly. I will also attempt to explain some methods that the members of the group, myself included, could have enacted in order to ensure a more positive and friendly meeting. If members of this meeting could have spent more time extolling the virtues of the different candidates, and not debasing the other as a less worthy candidate, I believe that the group members would have had a positive and productive group experience.

Description of the Situation

The group of managers that I will be talking about was called together to perform a series of interviews to fill an empty position within their ranks. The field had been narrowed down by the supervising managers to two remaining candidates. Our meeting started by bringing the two candidates individually before the entire group of managers for a...

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...below: a comment on challenges to

group-conflict resolution and reconciliation. Law & Contemporary Problems, 72(2), 51-55. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

Jehn, K. and Mannix, E. (2001). The dynamic nature of conflict: A longitudinal study of

intragroup conflict and group performance. The Academy of Management Journal, 44(2), 238-251. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

O'Hara, E. (2009). Group-conflict resolution: Sources of resistance to reconciliation. Law &

Contemporary Problems, 72(2), 1-19. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

Strickland, B. (2001). Conflict resolution. Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology, 2nd ed, 148-149.

Retrieved from Gale Virtual Reference Library.

Wilson, J. (2010). Understanding Your Style In Conflict Situations. PT in Motion, 2(1), 10.

Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

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