Table of Contents

1. GETTING STARTED / Your Experience with Groups / What Is a Group? / How Do Groups Communicate? / What Do Groups Do? / Evaluating Group Member Fit / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

2. COMMUNICATING WITHIN GROUPS / Verbal Communication / Nonverbal Communication / The Listening Process / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

3. STRUCTURING THE GROUP / Group Member Roles / Communication Networks / Membership Changes in Groups / Group Member Socialization / How Groups Develop / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

4. IDENTIFYING TYPES OF GROUPS AND GROUP ACTIVITIES / Types of Groups / The Group's Charge / Types of Group Tasks and Activities / Analyzing a Group Task / Task and Activity Constraints / Evaluating Group Task and Activity Outcomes / Bona Fide Groups / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

5. BUILDING GROUP COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE / Your Group Interaction Style / Interpersonal Needs / Group Communication Competence / Communication Apprehension / Communicator Style / Ethical Group Membership / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

6. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS IN GROUPS / Relating to Other Group Members / Group Communication Climate / Group Cohesiveness / Group Member Satisfaction / Equity / Trust / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

7. COMMUNICATING IN DIVERSE GROUPS / The Advantages of Diversity / Gender Diversity in Groups / Cultural Diversity in Groups / The Diversity Mix / Overcoming Diversity Problems / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

8. SOLVING PROBLEMS AND MAKING DECISIONS / Group Decision Principles / Using the Group's Strength to Solve Problems / Advice From Functional Theory / Using Decision Procedures / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

9. ASSESSING AND IMPLEMENTING DECISIONS / Monitoring Decision-Making Performance / Challenges to Decision Making Effectiveness / Helping Your Group Make Effective Decisions / Implementing Decisions / Monitoring and Evaluating Decision Outcomes / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

10. PROVIDING LEADERSHIP IN GROUPS / Defining Leadership / Becoming a Leader / A Communication Competency Approach to Leadership / Leading Through Communication / Leadership Styles / Enhancing Your Leadership Ability / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

11. MANAGING CONFLICT IN GROUPS / Defining Conflict / Types and Sources of Conflict / Power / Conflict Between Groups / Conflict Management Strategies / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

12. MANAGING GROUP MEETINGS / Formal Meeting Planning / Developing A Group Charter and A Code of Conduct / Overcoming Obstacles / Successful Meeting Management / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

13. MAKING OBSERVATIONS AND GIVING FEEDBACK / Why Groups Need Feedback / Levels and Types of Feedback / Questionnaires and Surveys as Feedback / Other Feedback Techniques / Starting a Group Feedback System / Summary / Discussion Questions and Exercises

Appendix: Creating and Delivering Group Presentations / Glossary / References / Author Index / Subject Index