Deck 8: Leading Small Groups: Practical Tips

Question 1

Whose responsibility is it to notify members of the purpose, the time, and place of the meeting, as well as any other necessary preparations required before the meeting will take place?

A) the leader
B) everybody's
C) the group secretary
D) a designated staff person
E) the group social chair

Answer 1

the leader

Question 2

Leaders of virtual teams are responsible for the same administrative functions as leaders of face to face teams, but the duties are carried out

A) preceding the meeting.
B) when the group occasionally meets face to face.
C) electronically.
D) whenever.
E) as follow-up to the meeting.

Answer 2

electronically.

Question 3

Even if a professional secretary writes minutes for a small group, the chairperson is still responsible for the accuracy of the minutes.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Matthew received a memo that outlined the purpose of the meeting; specific outcomes to be achieved; the agenda listing all items of business to be taken up; and any relevant facts, reading sources, or other preparation members should make prior to meeting. Matthew received a ___________________.

Question 5

Good leaders fight against member inequity and critical thinking.

Question 6

Which task(s) need to be completed by the leader following a group meeting?

A) making sure the group's reports get to the right groups and individuals
B) none of these
C) writing the minutes
D) coordinating activities with outside groups and interests
E) all of these

Question 7

During an extended argument about which of two possible suppliers of parts should be awarded a contract, the discussion leader should not take sides.

Question 8

When group leaders encourage the group to search for more alternatives and to brainstorm, they are stimulating what type of thinking?

A) creative
B) critical
C) argumentative
D) fun
E) expansive

Question 9

List (in the order you would try them) as many techniques as you can think of for controlling speaking and interrupting by a highly dominant, compulsive speaker in your discussion group.

Question 10

If a member has not spoken out on a major issue or topic, the discussion leader should gatekeep by asking that person to state his or her opinion; for instance, "Fay, what is your opinion about requiring community service?"

Question 11

Minutes should

A) be taken by multiple members to assure accuracy.
B) be distributed before the next meeting.
C) be taken by the group leader.
D) be as close to verbatim as possible.
E) always distributed through email.

Question 12

A person who communicates between or among groups is known as a __________.

Question 13

After a group has done its creative thinking, it must then subject the various options to rigorous evaluation before it reaches a final position.

Question 14

The leader places a new topic brought up by a member during the meeting on a separate flip chart, board, or piece of note paper for consideration later. This is called placing off-topic items in the

A) "new business" agenda item.
B) chart topics.
C) the "to do" file.
D) temporary agenda.
E) parking lot.

Question 15

Even to stimulate critical thinking, a member should not be asked to serve as a devil's advocate for a position no one else argues for.

Question 16

As discussion leader, what might you do to encourage members to do more critical thinking about information and ideas?

Question 17

A written message providing the time, place, purpose and other information relevant to an upcoming meeting is a(n)

A) agenda.
B) set of minutes.
C) informal report.
D) meeting notice.
E) resolution.

Question 18

Listen with real interest to what an infrequent speaker says, and encourage others to do the same.

A) The authors suggest this for helping to equalize opportunities to participate
B) The authors do not suggest this for helping to equalize opportunities to participate

Question 19

A member of a committee has prepared copies of an extensive written report of findings from research she did for the committee. Next she would

A) post them online.
B) have the secretary or chair attach a copy to the meeting notice-agenda for the next meeting.
C) all of these
D) distribute the copies of the meeting when the information will be used in discussion.
E) send a copy to each committee member's address.

Question 20

Most of the questions a discussion leader asks during a committee meeting should be addressed to individuals.

Question 21

Address your comments to specific individuals instead of the group in general.

A) The authors suggest this for helping to equalize opportunities to participate
B) The authors do not suggest this for helping to equalize opportunities to participate

Question 22

As a communication specialist in the personnel office, you have been asked to prepare a workshop for newly elected quality circle coordinators. What are the points, ideas, or principles you should include that these new coordinators will be expected to adhere to while serving as problem-solving discussion leaders for their teams.

Question 23

Describe as many techniques as you can recall for stimulating creative thinking during a discussion.

Question 24

You are the group leader and the group has just begun discussing merits of a possible solution when one member asks you, "Well, what do you think of this proposal?" Effective Group Discussion recommends that you reply

A) with a clear statement of your opinion.
B) with a clear answer backed up by evidence and valid reasoning.
C) "What do you think of it?"
D) "First, I'd like to hear what others think about this proposal. What do other group members think?"
E) by paraphrasing the question, then when your paraphrase has been confirmed, answering it.

Question 25

To give everyone an equal chance to participate, a discussion leader may sometimes have to interrupt a speech by a group member.

Question 26

At a minimum, a notice of a future meeting should include the source of the memo, to whom it is addressed, time and place of the meeting, the ______________ for the meeting, and how to prepare.

Question 27

Be sure to give your opinion whenever possible.

A) The authors suggest this for helping to equalize opportunities to participate
B) The authors do not suggest this for helping to equalize opportunities to participate

Question 28

Comment after each member's remark.

A) The authors suggest this for helping to equalize opportunities to participate
B) The authors do not suggest this for helping to equalize opportunities to participate

Question 29

Minutes should be focused on the content of a meeting rather than on the process and procedures.

Question 30

The meeting notice is sent to members prior to the meeting and should include

A) the where and when.
B) none of these
C) all of these
D) the who and what.
E) the why.

Question 31

Explain as many techniques or procedures as you can that a designated small group leader might use to help develop the group and foster meeting-to-meeting improvement.

Question 32

Five major types of administrative duties are

A) assembling the group, planning for meetings, following up on meetings, liaison, and managing written communication for the group.
B) none of these
C) liaison, planning discussions, keeping a perspective on the group, taking control of meetings and keeping records.
D) assembling the group, planning discussions, leading discussions, reporting discussions, and developing the group.
E) assembling the group, equalizing participation and work, liaison with parent organization, maintaining productivity, and leading discussions.

Question 33

It's imperative that ongoing committees keep accurate and comprehensive __________________ that serve as official summary records of the important content of meetings.

Question 34

Make sure all members have an equal opportunity to speak.

A) The authors do not suggest this for helping to equalize opportunities to participate
B) The authors suggest this for helping to equalize opportunities to participate

Question 35

Minutes focus on the ____________, not the process of discussion.

Question 36

Scheduling fun activities for the group can ultimately help work to run more smoothly.

Question 37

While you are leading a problem-solving discussion, another member asks your opinion on an issue that is being argued heatedly. You should ______________.

Question 38

Because communication is so important, groups should meet regularly even if the actual task could be accomplished using other communication avenues.

Question 39

Write a code of ethical guidelines in which each statement is a standard or criterion by which a designated small group leader can evaluate personal behaviors when leading a group of peers.

Question 40

Establishing a climate of trust will do more than anything else to develop cooperation and teamwork among members.

Question 41

A chair should remain objective and refrain from voting on issues.

Question 42

Which is the best statement for gatekeeping in a shy member who has said nothing during a discussion and who looks to you as if he may want to say something?

A) "John, what do you think on this question?"
B) "John, you've said nothing about the question. It's time you say what you think."
C) "John, I'm sure glad to see you are finally ready to speak up on this question."
D) "John, would you like to say something about this question?"
E) none of these

Question 43

Although a chairperson needs to make some statement about the purpose of a meeting, to prevent stifling member creativity this should not include such details as the form of the output (such as an agenda or a written resolution).

Question 44

Galanes and Adamssay that problem-solving groups should keep written records of all meetings.

Question 45

The three categories of services small problem-solving group leaders should supply are administrative duties, discussion coordination, and ______________.

Question 46

You need to write a notice of the first meeting of a new committee of which you were appointed chair. What should be included in that notice?

Question 47

"Structuring discussion" includes which of the following leadership behaviors?

A) all these
B) keeping discussion goal oriented
C) use summaries to make clear transitions between items
D) none of these
E) help group manage time