Group Roles in Organizational Communication

Group Roles in Organizational Communication

Susan A. Simonson

COM105: Organizational Communication

Dr. T. Arquette

Argosy University

A group can be defined as two or more individuals that interact with each other for various reasons. The members of the group may or may not be interdependent on each other. There are many types of groups; formal or informal, task or command oriented or they can operate as teams, which unlike most groups that can function independently, a group that is also a team works interdependently to achieve a particular objective (Schultz & Schultz, 2009).

Regardless of the group type, the roles and identities in the group have a powerful effect on the individual member’s behavior.

Shakespeare said “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” (2.7.138-43). The same can be said about members of a group; each are playing a role within the group. We all play different roles in different groups at different times. Roles in a group can be many, and many of the roles can overlap, however some roles within a group need to be clearly defined in order to understand the requirements of the role. To look at role requirement would be a first step in defining the function of each role. One of the ways to understand group roles is to break down the role into four elements (Robbins & Judge, 2010).

1. Role Identity. Which is either self attributed or assigned.

2. Role Perception. This is the view or interpretation of the role by us and others.

3. Role Expectations. As defined by the group or leader.

4. Role Conflict. When expectations, perceptions and identity are contradictory.

By understanding the elements that make up a role, a better understand of the purpose and duties of each role can be determined.

Because the definition of a group can be so broad, deciding the type of group and its scope and purpose would be first steps in determining the roles of the members as well. For example, in...