Group Roles
Group Roles and Associated Communication Behaviours
Role
TASK ROLES
1. Task Leader
2. Initiator-Contributor 3. Opinion Seeker 4. Opinion Giver 5. Questioner
6. Evaluator-Critic
7. Devil’s Advocate or Central Negative 8. Energizer Typical Communication Behaviours
Behaviours include goal setting; agenda making; initiating, seeking, and evaluating ideas and opinions; regulating participation of members; summarizing discussions
Proposes new ideas or approaches to problem solving
Asks for evaluation of ideas under discussion; seeks values and beliefs of members
Offers own interpretation of ideas and proposals under discussion
Probes the value of ideas by raising concerns and questions for others to answer; does so without putting others on the defensive
Critically tests soundness of ideas, information, and inferences; reinforces good ideas; points out logical fallacies or inadequate evidence
Responds negatively to most ideas of group; generally counters view of majority with own ideas; often takes opposite point of view for sake of argument
Motivates group by dramatizing progress and trying to stimulate productive effort; makes upbeat comments and pushes group to do its best work
SOCIO-EMOTIONAL ROLES
9. Socio-Emotional Leader 10. Follower
11. Encourager
12. Tension Releaser
13. Harmonizer Usually most well-liked member of group; listens, encourages others, and strives to maintain group harmony
Follows orders carefully and does assigned tasks or routine chores no one else wants to do; goes along with group consensus
Shows acceptance of others’ ideas and praises their efforts; engages in active listening; shows understanding; serves as sounding board
Breaks ice and manages conflict by using well-timed humour or changing discussion topic
Mediates disagreements between members by emphasizing importance of getting along; tries to play down
Role
TASK ROLES
1. Task Leader
2. Initiator-Contributor 3. Opinion Seeker 4. Opinion Giver 5. Questioner
6. Evaluator-Critic
7. Devil’s Advocate or Central Negative 8. Energizer Typical Communication Behaviours
Behaviours include goal setting; agenda making; initiating, seeking, and evaluating ideas and opinions; regulating participation of members; summarizing discussions
Proposes new ideas or approaches to problem solving
Asks for evaluation of ideas under discussion; seeks values and beliefs of members
Offers own interpretation of ideas and proposals under discussion
Probes the value of ideas by raising concerns and questions for others to answer; does so without putting others on the defensive
Critically tests soundness of ideas, information, and inferences; reinforces good ideas; points out logical fallacies or inadequate evidence
Responds negatively to most ideas of group; generally counters view of majority with own ideas; often takes opposite point of view for sake of argument
Motivates group by dramatizing progress and trying to stimulate productive effort; makes upbeat comments and pushes group to do its best work
SOCIO-EMOTIONAL ROLES
9. Socio-Emotional Leader 10. Follower
11. Encourager
12. Tension Releaser
13. Harmonizer Usually most well-liked member of group; listens, encourages others, and strives to maintain group harmony
Follows orders carefully and does assigned tasks or routine chores no one else wants to do; goes along with group consensus
Shows acceptance of others’ ideas and praises their efforts; engages in active listening; shows understanding; serves as sounding board
Breaks ice and manages conflict by using well-timed humour or changing discussion topic
Mediates disagreements between members by emphasizing importance of getting along; tries to play down