The test assigned last week, to which students are now posting commentary and expansions, was predominantly a self-assessment, however embedded among the True/False questions based on “Functional Roles of Group Members” by Kenneth D. Benne and Paul Sheats were a few that have scientific authority rather than simply being a matter of opinion. These are numbers 1, 6, 8, 9, 13, 16, and 17 (all the T/F are posted in Online Portion B).
Not surprisingly (given our US cultural context and its particular hierarchy of values), but somewhat discouraging from a teacher’s point-of-view 
, the item which most students marked incorrectly was #6: “Members are more important to groups than leaders.” Eleven of twenty indicated that this statement is false. Does this mean they did not read Benne and Sheats’ carefully? Have they not been paying adequate attention to their own behaviors and experiences with each other in class? Or is the value system so deeply embedded that the answer is reactionary: from the gut without consideration?
“The functions to be performed both in building and maintaining group-centered activity and in effective production by the group are primarily member roles.” p. 53
In other words, the students who answered this question incorrectly are still caught up in the fallacy that ‘membership’ equals ‘followership’ (in which following is given a negative value). The next most commonly missed question was #17: “My personality and the role(s) I play in groups are the same thing.” This is false. Six of twenty students indicate that they have not yet learned to separate their personality from their roles.
“…trainees are inclined to make little or no distinction between the roles they perform in a group and their personalities. Criticism of the role a group member plays is perceived as criticism of ‘himself.’” p. 59
The matter of separating self/identity/personality from role is particularly crucial because it is one of the most common sites of resistance in a group. Resistance itself can either serve the group productively – for instance, in the storming stage – or can impede the group, being entirely self-serving. Someone who is caught up in self-serving behavior can become a functional member of the group by addressing and altering their behavior. Sometimes there are dynamics in the group that elicit self-serving behaviors; if these root dynamics can be addressed (e.g, see the various dimensions in the stages of group development) then these particular members can play absolutely vital functional roles for the group-as-a-whole.
Next, there was some confusion concerning #9: “If I am in a group, I am either a functional member or an un- or dys-functional member.” Only three of twenty students still (apparently) believe that there is an opt-out option of non-presence or no influence, but this is patently false. If you are there, you matter, whether you want to or not. You can matter for good or ill, but presuming that your presence (or absence, when you are expected to be present) makes no difference at all is selfish thinking. Likewise, two students indicated that that they do not have to take on multiple roles if they are a member in a group (#8). I suppose it is possible for an individual to only have one role in a group, but I don’t think anyone in this group (nor most human beings) are so limited as to only be able to fulfill or offer one role alone. In fact, the concept of role flexibility should inspire a dedicated group member to develop as much range in role as he or she can, and to practice switching roles as situations and developments demand.
A few items that I am interested in for assessment that have no necessarily ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers are numbers 14, 19, 21, and 22. The word “sensitive” was used ambiguously, with a negative connotation in #19 (too much sensitivity to criticism about your functional role performance leans toward the self-serving agenda) and a positive connotation in #21 (being “sensitive to the operation of member roles in our class/group and …sub-group teams” – which is desirable). The ambiguity may have confused some students’ responses. Seven students admit that they are still “unsure how to diagnose role requirements needed by my sub-group team” (#14), and (possibly the most honest answer), one student confessed that only sometimes is she/he “aware of and conscious about my own proficiency in different functional roles” (#22). I would suggest that these two skills not only belong together, but they are the subject of lifelong learning.
In the replies that follow, students are to reflect on how their test results illuminate or otherwise enable them to add more insight to the blogposts they’ve written about the mass of peer feedback received in Class #13, the second to the last official class of the semester.
Tuesday May 6, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Whew…I put true for number 6. “Members are more important to groups than leaders.” This is absolutely true. Surprised only 8 others agreed with me. A group needs many members but really only needs 1 true leader. If everyone in the group is outspoken, a leader may not even need to exist. On Mondays I have this class from 330-630 and then another class from 630-9. In the 2nd class we also do a lot of group work. We had a group project due where I was put with 3 members who thought it would be fun to do nothing and see what happens. What happened was I did all the work, and our professor gave us an incomplete. Just having a leader solves nothing, its a happy crew of members that makes a working group effective.
Tuesday May 6, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Sorry forgot to add link….
http://princess3.wordpress.com/2008/05/06/feedback-on-me/
Wednesday May 7, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I can definitely admit that when I answered the true and false questions assigned I went with my intuition rather then taking a minute to realize that some of the answers have scientific authority. Typically, we are taught to go with our intuition but oftentimes that means that we answer too quickly and do not think enough about the matter and questions at hand. Steph’s first concern with number 6 “Members are more important to groups then leaders”, which seems to be one of the most important questions, I actually answered correctly. My first idea was that one person cannot be the most important component of a series of people who call themselves a group, and that according to Benne and Sheats was correct. I also seemed to have answered number 17, the most commonly missed question, correctly. According to the role flexibility question in number 8 I also answered correctly that a member of a group has to take on multiple roles. I believe that this class has taught me a great deal about group dynamics if I was able to answer the questions with “scientific authority” the correct way. I cannot say that subconsciously I did not answer some of the questions the way they were supposed to be answered, but I believe that since I did answer them correctly that I have learned the basic values of being a group member.
After reviewing my peer feedback I agree with various dimensions when it states “People tend to operate more from self interest in impersonal conditions than when they have personal bonds with others. What may be perceived as fair on an individual level may be perceived as unfair when viewed from a group perspective” From working in a group and receiving my feedback from this class I think that as long as a class goes on when not everyone has created personal bonds with one another there will continue to be people within the group operating on self interest. On my own I never saw a problem with the work I was doing and did not think that others did either, however when I look back on my feedback apparently a few people in the class didn’t think the same thing. After this classes focusing on reading about group dynamics, membership, and individual work within it being evaluated, I think that I am ready to move on and work towards my goals of being a better group member next time around. With every experience going through the stages of group dynamics I believe that I will excel more and more as a member of the group.
Here is the link to my weblog with my reaction to the peer evaluation feedback that I was given. http://buckets34.wordpress.com/
Thursday May 8, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I still believe that leaders are more important to a group than members. You can stick a bunch of people in a room and you’ve got yourself a group, but only if one of those people takes the initiative to address the group as a whole will the group create something together. That is leadership, and it is the most important. Yes, a group full of dysfunctional members and a leader is going to accomplish very little, but whatever they accomplish be the result of a group effort or lack thereof. Likewise, a group of all dysfunctional members will likely produce nothing, and the lack of production would be a direct result of no one filling the leadership vacuum. I believe Benne and Sheats as well as Steph are wrong. As for princess3’s anecdote about your group producing something without functional membership, the teacher may have given a bad mark, but in the real world where the product is for a purpose, not a grade, any boss would prefer something be produced over nothing. From the sound of it, that would not have happened without your decisive leadership in the situation. Again, leaders are more important than the members.
Regarding the other questions, I answered correctly. No point in talking about those. In terms of my feedback, every comment was positive. That was nice to read. I tried consistently throughout the semester to not become overbearing on group work. This class was very different than the authoritative environment of the army which I am used to. When people are talking out of turn, my natural reaction would be to order them to be “at ease”. But, since I can’t do that in the classroom without looking like an asshole, I had to bite my tongue sometimes. I just tried to contribute positively when I could and show others the respect that I would like to receive in return.
Thursday May 8, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Hm, now looking back on some of my answers I am surprised that I did not answer them with more though to the readings and work we achieved in class. Looking back on the question concerning group members being more important then leaders, I answered FALSE! I then read princess3’s blog and agreed with her statement that if only have one leader and no members of a group then it would be impossible to complete all the work that might be assigned to that certain group. I was somewhat disappointed with my response because I know that the answer is not false but in fact true that group members are important. I still hold true that you do need a member of the group to serve as some sort of a leader to help organize and delegate tasks to other members however; it is the other members themselves that complete the work and create the finished product, not the leader.
I was happy to see that I answered correctly to the question about serving multiple roles in a group. Even though sometimes I am unaware of the different kinds of roles I may be serving I still know that I am not just ONE role in a group.
I must admit I was not sure what to answer for question #9. I have always been under the assumption that if you do not contribute to the group as a whole or the sub group to which you have been assigned then you become a non-member, or a dysfunctional member. It would be nice to have some discussion on this point in the last class, or the final meeting group.
In some of the responses by my peers I saw that people reported I had been acting as a leader and some of my behavior was self oriented. Perhaps this is a reflection of my original thinking about leaders being more important then group members? I would like to think that I will leave this class with a better understanding of how to be a cooperative group member, and knowing that all members of a group contribute in some way or another and are equally important when constructing and analyzing the “dynamics”.
Here is my link to my reflections on peer evaluations!
http://samesies20.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/peer-evaluations-hurtful-but-helpful/
Friday May 9, 2008 at 12:17 am
I appreciate ehanft’s critical thinking about question 6. Ehanft’s theory that leaders are more important than group members is well thought out and he uses a really great example: “You can stick a bunch of people in a room and you’ve got yourself a group, but only if one of those people takes the initiative to address the group as a whole will the group create something together. That is leadership, and it is the most important.” In my life, I can compare this to my experiences within my courses at UMASS. I am always in at least one group project at all times, and sometimes it is up to that one person who will step up to the bat. A group could accomplish tasks with just a leader pulling them through. So I agree with Ehanft to an extent. I feel like in the forming stage a leader might be of greatest importance. In the first stage of group growth, members are more apt to rely on whoever it is that seems to give the perception of having leadership skills. Then as the group progresses I think that there is a shift, most definitely the progress of a group is dependent on the ability of the group to create a successful dynamic. All in all I would say that a group best functions when all members are actively and successfully involved.
It’s just like this class, as umass students and even broader as Americans, we’re used to being educated by a single leader. The leader is the professor who tells us what to do in pretty specified ways that are culturally accepted and generally not questioned. Steph’s teaching us with more of a focus on the group. She doesn’t assign us things we’d normally be assigned and doesn’t stand in front of us dictating as much as other teachers because she is more concerned with our group dynamic and how we can solve issues together. I feel like the emphasis is on “group” as opposed to leader so that we can look outside of our cultural limitations.
Friday May 9, 2008 at 11:59 am
I also appreciate ehanft’s disagreement but find myself in alignment with summer22’s assessment that his stance is cultural, and – being cultural – has limitations.
Leaders don’t matter at all if there is no task: the TASK is what actually pulls a group together, establishing boundaries that relate the members to each other instead of being simply an aggregate of individuals who happen to be in the same physical location.
Friday May 9, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Regarding this discussion on whether group members are more important than leaders and vice versa, I would like to contribute this:
I believe that group members are just AS important as leaders. They are of equal worth, in an effective group. I think it might also be a cultural belief that one thing always has to be better than something else. We are a competitive society, and no one likes to settle with a tie. Why do we even have to choose one over the other? If we are talking about effective groups, than I believe that they are equally important. In a dysfunctional group, yes the leader could come to make a decision, or end product on his/her own. A group full of just “members” given a task could create an end product as well. If everyone contributed, as members, then something can come out. Just because someone is the first to talk, and initiates conversation regarding this task doesn’t make him/her a leader. Similarly, just because someone isn’t stating his/her opinion doesn’t mean they are not a leader. It is all situational. Like Steph has said, role flexibility is crucial, and though starting the conversation can be seen as a leadership quality, does not mean that this person is the leader of this group. End products can come out of either of these situations, but a more effective dynamic will take place when both parts, leaders and members, are in effect and they are fulfilling their roles equally. This is a very interesting to think about however, and I appreciate this discussion!
When I was completing this true/false test, I answered number six as: group members are more important than leaders. And I answered that solely from having read the Benne and Sheats article. I answered most of these questions correctly, except for number 9. “If I am in a group I am either a functional member or a non-functional member.” I said true. And now that I am thinking about it, I don’t know why I said that. I completely agree with Steph that even if you are not contributing to the task, you are still fulfilling a role, just by being in the group. This is interesting because of the negative evaluation I received, that I have written about in my blog post. Someone said that I seemed tired, and uninterested, and that it was hindering to our group progress. Maybe I did not realize that by seeming uninterested it was directly effecting the rest of my group, and therefore we were not progressing as we should have. Me being tired, and uninterested could be seen as a self-oriented behavior, or as Benne and Sheat would say, “individual-centered,” because I am not focusing on the group. I could have behaved this way because I did not think that my lack of contribution to the group that day, would affect the rest of my group. But I guess it did, and that’s why someone commented on it.
Here is the link to my blogpost.
http://freshkicks6.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/im-gonna-feedback-feedback/
Saturday May 10, 2008 at 1:13 pm
People seem to be devoting a lot of time talking about question six, so I will too. I answered true/na to the statement “Members are more important to groups than leaders.” Though I answered “right” the question rubbed me the wrong way – to say one is more important than that the other, seems slightly misguided. Few people would argue that Joan of Arc, Ghandi, and other “leaders” were in fact less important than the members of their groups. But, it’s true that members in a group are of the utmost importance. To paraphrase steph, a group is necessarily comprised of members but optionally contains a leader.
I’m pretty sure that I answered the other questions “correctly.” But I was a little frustrated while taking the test because I had read the article carefully and studied it for the test, but while taking the test I found it very difficult to pull from the article in order to answer the questions correctly. I was not as confident that my answers would be deemed “correct” as I am when taking an Art History exam for example. Like in other aspects of the class I became increasingly concerned that my reasonable confusion and frustration would result in my getting a bad grade. This is still a concern even though I think I did well on the test. I guess we’ll find out in class this week.
http://vertebralsilence.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/peer-feedback-reflections/
Saturday May 10, 2008 at 3:38 pm
First of all I just have to say that I truly feel for princess, I can’t believe you have another 3 hour class after ours. That is rough.
About question #6, I just want to expand on something Freshkicks was saying. I answered true simply out of recognition that the question was asked in reference to that article and that it was the response Steph was expecting. However, I have to say, I think its false. I say this for reasons different than ehanft, although I don’t really debate his point. I think it is almost a trick question. I didn’t read the article too carefully, but I thought that one argument the authors were making was that leaders are members, and all members are important. It seemed they were trying to give attention to the neglected members, but not downplay any member’s significance. The statement can’t be true because leaders ARE members. A true statement would have been: “members are important.”
Of course members are important, because without them there would (obviously) be no product. Leaders are important members who help facilitate the process and ideally ensure efficiency and quality. I think that our group would have benefited from a stronger leader, as these qualities could have been stronger in a group (in respect to our Wiki). On the other hand, for our group the intended product was not a Wiki but an understanding of “group dynamics.” By implementing the Wiki as a means to an end, I think our leader, Steph, was pretty successful.
I’m not sure, but I think I answered “true” on question # 9 (about dysfunctional members). I think my definition of “dysfunctional” is the reason why I marked that question “true.” I know that all members play some role, to not would be to not exist. I was defining a “dysfunctional” member as one who did not function positively in the group. As I am writing this I am reminded of bringing up the point in class that by definition a “dysfunctional” member is not a “functional” one, and that if I were to get that answer wrong I would be upset. I’m not that upset, however I still think I am right if only by that logic. If time were mentioned I might agree it is false, because I don’t think member roles are static.
I guess issues like these question how well I understand the course material. Typicallly, I think I grasp the material with relative ease and try to help those who don’t understand when I can. A few people expressed gratitude for this in my feedback. Maybe I should keep my mouth shut?
Sunday May 11, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I chose True for number 6, because without followers and the members of the group, there would be no need for a leader. I Also agree with Steph about believing that Leaders are more important that Followers is extremely cultural. If you look at the way our society is set up its all based on praising, looking up to and valuing the leaders of our communities. the President of a group is considered very important and somehow his or her views are considered to hold more weight than others. Don’t get me wrong, I know we need leaders and many times we vote that specific person into that role, but I just feel that members are very important, my opinion could also be based on the fact that I am not usually comfortable in the leader position/role. I am much more a follower and so maybe I identify more with that position?
Here is a link to my Weblog!http://aligirl22.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/me-and-my-peer-reviews/
Sunday May 11, 2008 at 1:58 pm
OOPS Try this one…
http://aligirl22.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/me-and-my-peer-reviews/
Sunday May 11, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I disagree with aligirl22, Steph and whoever supports the idea that “members are more important than leaders.” I don’t think members will be able to coexist with one another if there wasn’t a leader present. A leader plays a huge factor in maintaining and keeping the group together. At the same time, what role would a leader have without group members? I think members are just as important as the leader. The reason we have leaders is to make sure the group doesn’t fall apart. Are people suggesting that we should kill off or disregard anyone who holds a leadership role? No matter what there will always be that one person in the group who will always be the more dominate seed. Whether we recognize the person as a leader or a group member is up to the rest of the group. In order to be a leader you have to start off as a follower. Understanding the dynamics of the group is an important skill a leader must have.
Sunday May 11, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I answered true to number six, but to be honest it is because I read the article. On that same note, I’m a firm believer that just because someone writes something in an article, it doesn’t mean that what that person wrote is the truth or a universal truth. I agree with some of the other posts in regards that I don’t think that one role is more important than the other. Especially since I think that neither can truly exist without the other. The term leader and follower is completely arbitrary.
http://moses84.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/all-in-this-together/
Sunday May 11, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I feel like I answered the true false assessmnet honestly and mostly instinctually, so in a way I half expected to get many of them wrong. For the majority of the examples listed I wrote what Steph is identifying as the “correct” answer. Originally being in the followers group, I was in the seeming minority in thinking that group members are just as important to the group as leaders are. For question number 9 I claim that I feel like a functional member of the group, which apparently is true for all of us. In the feedback it has been said that I sometimes say too little or just sit there in class. Well take that suckers I guess im still a functional member. And in terms of role flexability, I feel that this is what this class is largely about. Each week with a different task you may be required to take on a different role with a different function. To be flexible in the roles seems important to successful group interaction.
http://mmfood.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/feedback-from-the-class/
Sunday May 11, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I also answered true to number six and was suprised that more people didn’t answer true, though I answered true to #17 and was suprised that I was wrong.
This whole discussion between ehanft, summer22, and Steph reminds me of an anecdote about which is more important power or leadership ability. This is a long winded story and I might be explaining it wrong so bear with me, it also might be irrelevant and a totally different argument, but it reminds me of this issue…
The question was posed to a class on leadership theory of which is more important leadership ability or power. Half of the class took the stance that leadership ability was more important, and the other half took the stance that power was more important. They were asked to debate over the issue. One of the members of the leadership side said that without good leaders than a group will not function well and that without leadership ability a group will have no direction. One of the members of power being more important, told the group that power was more important because without power it is impossible to command the group to the task. He than told the people on the leadership side that they were all wrong and to come over to his side. None of the people on the leadership side moved. He asked again for the people on the other side to come over to his side because they were all wrong, and no one moved, and he said that’s why leadership ability isn’t as important as power.
This made me think that group members are more important than leaders because if there is a task at hand, than you need group members who are willing to complete it, (members contain the power) otherwise nothing will get done and this makes the leaders obsolete.
http://ap1115.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/feedback/
Sunday May 11, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I think I answered incorrectly in most of the questions listed above. I didn’t pay a lot of attention in brainstorming them or I misunderstood them. The other reason is I and some other classmates have different values on the subject. I agree with Febreeze for question number 6. I wrote on the test that ‘aren’t they both important?’ As said by Frebreeze, ‘The reason we have leaders is to make sure the group doesn’t fall apart.’ A leader could also be a representative of the group. What I have learned from the reading is that membership roles are more important than I thought. And, I kind of agree Moses84 that we don’t need to agree with the concepts/statements written by others. It’s our choice to believe it or not. We have our own values upon certain subject. It could be a reference or something for us to think about. It depends on how we perceive it.
http://abccccc.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/feedbacks/
Sunday May 11, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I’m definitely surprised looking back on the answers I gave for the True/False questions. I’m not sure whether I was tired or not, but I definitely do realize that members are more important to a group’s success than leaders. As the leader of the Interfraternity Council on campus (the governing body of the campus fraternities), I hold meetings every Thursday night, which are only successful with the attendance of the membership chapters. I of course facilitate the meetings, but it is the input and ideas of the membership that make the meetings productive. Leaders are important to ensure order and inspire people to move in new, positive directions, but the members are the ones that have to push the group in that direction by participating and giving opinions and knowledge.
Question 17 was definitely a little more hazy, but I still can’t believe I didn’t put the right answer. I definitely don’t agree that my personality and the roles I play in groups are the same thing. I am a very friendly person who likes to get goofy at times and just let loose. But I recognize my role as a leader in group development. During meetings of the Interfraternity Council, I am very serious and dedicated to making sure the meetings move in an orderly fashion and that everyone’s opinions are heard.
My self-reflection definitely touches upon these points and I wrote it before I read Steph’s blogpost. It can be found here:
http://getoutakingshous.wordpress.com
Monday May 12, 2008 at 4:51 am
I answered number 6, “Members are more important to groups than leaders,” incorrectly. However, I answered this way not because I thought that leaders were more important, but because I felt that neither was important than the other. After reading the previous posts, I can see how the members would be more important than the leaders. I really enjoyed ap’s anecdote, and thought that everyone made good arguments.
As far as my feedback goes, I have learned more in this class than I thought and wished that I had kept these things in mind when reviewing my feedback. I discuss this in depth in my blog…
http://ch0c0latemilk.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/recievers-fantasy/
Monday May 12, 2008 at 11:03 am
After reading all of these comments and thinking about how so many people have opposing views on what is more important a leader or members I found it interesting that it is all a matter of perception. In certain circumstances there is absolutely no question that a leader is more important. Ehanft provides great insite to why he feels this way and I agree with him that it takes a leader to organize members in order to produce anything. It is very evident in many ways. We see teams in sports with no leader and they do not succeed very often. A team with a great leader knows how to organize the team in order to get the most out of each individual. The same goes for many other circumstances where you need members and leaders.
http://bradytomoss.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/peer-reviews/
Monday May 12, 2008 at 11:06 am
I never posted my blog link.
http://thumpasorus.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/im-getting-feedback/
Monday May 12, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I think a group must have a mixture of leaders, followers, and the in between. Without these factors, there would be no such thing as a group. If everyone were to be a leader, then there were be much competition with whose words are correct. Therefore, with those who fall beneath, there is a sense of acceptance of others views. Leaders are nonetheless a vital part because they can express their opinions without fearing fault.
http://funinsun.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/a-member-finally-out-of-confusion/
Monday May 12, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Due to the fact I lost the sheet I transcribed my answers onto I cant honestly remeber how I answered these questions. I do think that the way we have always been taught is the leader is the main member of the group and the reason things get done. I do believe I answered the question correctly but I can see were others might be confused. If you look at traditional forms or groups working together the leader gets the majority of the credit whether it be a group of scientists working together on a cure or just a group of advertisers working together to thing of a new catchy slogan the leader always gets the most credit and money if it is in a business venture. I am not saying this is right but our society does in a way constantly tell us we should be leaders becuase thats more important. Why do you think so many of us went downstairs on the first day?
I really liked the peer feedback portion of this course because like so many other things in this class I have never done anything like it before.
http://ontherecliner.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/feedback/
Monday May 12, 2008 at 4:27 pm
http://summer22.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/peer-feedback-was-insightful-and-nice/
Peer Feedback Link
Monday May 12, 2008 at 4:30 pm
ooops!
Here goes the link to my blog.
http://febreezethesituation08.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/the-givers-fact-im-a-personal-gripe/
Thursday May 15, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Adding to my comment above, I feel like we have really learned who the true leaders were of the class and those of us who were actually not leaders when originally we thought we were. I really feel as though being a leader in a group depends on the situation. In this class I felt it was impossible for me to be a leader. half of the time I was too confused myself to give any insight to others on how to complete a task. In the end I gained a sense of accomplishment however, and its a shame that it had to come at the very end of the semester.
The feedback I received from my peers was really interesting, as some of the things I would never have said about myself. Some of the things I was really happy with, and some I had to question perhaps because I feel its hard to see the negative sometimes, but I guess it can only help.
here is my link to my weblog.
http://funinsun.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/feedback-from-peers/
Thursday May 15, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Much of the reason we seem to have less value for followship as leadership may lie in the fact that we recognize leaders more than we do the followers of groups. Throughout human history, we have celebrated and remembered the great names of leaders, not those under them. Napoleon, Cleopatra, Princess Di, Ghandi… the list obviously goes on. Most people would rather be recognized as that supreme individual, not the nameless cohort. Recognition, fame, and respect are all sought after qualities the world over. The fact that individuals, acting as leaders galvanized those around them, who may have never thought to have done otherwise, is a testament to why many have come to believe that leaders are more important than their followers. Even though the power of these people lies in the followers themselves, it has not stopped the leadership position ideal in many cultures.
This being said, I chose to answer “true” to question number six. I personally think both roles are important, but interdependent. Neither is necessarily more important than the other, as they co exist in working relationships.
http://churchofgoogle.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/feedback/
Thursday May 15, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I think that the underlying factor that our instructor (Steph) has explained is definitely the “followership” roles that students usually take in groups. I was able to correctly answer more of the questions on the test after reading the Benne and Sheats article. It made me think, along with reading what my class mates wrote about me, my role in this group. My roles varied from day to day and from group to group. I was definitely more comfortable talking to people in smaller groups of people then to the whole class for example. Members of the group and their role flexibility are vital for a group’s success.
I answered the questions on that text to the best of my ability by knowing I am an active member of the class even if I am sitting quietly observing what is going on. I have the ability to affect the group by just being there in the room with everyone else. Too little emphasis is given to the members of the group and their ability to influence the group. A great example would be in a “regular” classroom setting in college. If a professor were to distribute an exam and EVERYONE in the class fails it, then it would be looked at as unfair or too hard of an exam. If the professor were to assess his/her performance in that time, they would be looked at as failing to effectively teach the material.
Here is a look at my reactions to different questions that I answered true or false:
http://akademakid.wordpress.com/
Thursday May 15, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Actual link for my responses
http://akademakid.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/functional-roles-by-functional-people-in-functional-groups/
Saturday May 17, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I was one of the students who incorrectly marked the question “Members are more important to groups than leaders” as false. After giving it more thought, I believe I was still subconsciously thinking that in order for a group to be successful there needs to be one leader, instead of a group that works together to accomplish goals. Everything that we have done in class should have told me to answer this question as true. Group members are just as important as leaders and are not necesarrily “followers” by default.
My role was never leader in class. I felt that I had not grasped what was going on in the class enough to be a front runner. However some leaders did emerge through the anxiety. I was an active group member in class with my own thoughts. Even though I did not vocalize it all of the time, I did not just follow what everyone else wanted to do.
SunShine775 Peer Evals
Saturday August 16, 2008 at 11:27 am
[...] leadership as an important part of IPC so I went to the link she left on the bottom to Steph’s lecture. This lecture explains the importance of “roles” in a group and how a leader is the most [...]
Saturday August 16, 2008 at 9:02 pm
[...] leadership as an important part of IPC so I went to the link she left on the bottom to Steph’s lecture. This lecture explains the importance of “roles” in a group and how a leader is the most [...]
Sunday August 17, 2008 at 9:53 am
[...] leadership as an important part of IPC so I went to the link she left on the bottom to Steph’s lecture. This lecture explains the importance of “roles” in a group and how a leader is the most [...]