An effective group climate is characterized by:
- Supportiveness
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Participative decision making
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Trust among group members
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Openness and candor
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High performance goals –Gamble and Gamble
Characteristics of an effective and well-functioning group
- The atmosphere tends to be informal, comfortable and relaxed.
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There is a lot of discussion in which virtually everyone participates, but it remains pertinent to the task.
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The task or objective is well understood and accepted by the members. There will have been free discussion of the objectives at some point until it was formulated in such a way that the group members could commit themselves to it.
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The members listen to each other. Every idea is given a hearing. People do not appear to be afraid of being foolish. They will offer a creative thought even if it seems fairly extreme.
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There is disagreement. Disagreements are not suppressed or overwritten by premature action. The reasons are clearly examined and the group seeks to resolve disagreement rather than dominate dissenters.
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Most decisions are reached by a kind of consensus in which it’s clear that everyone is in general agreement and willing to go along. Formal voting is at a minimum. The group does not accept a simple majority as a proper basis for action.
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Criticism is frequent, frank and relatively comfortable. There is little evidence of personal attack, either overt or hidden.
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People are free to express their feelings and their ideas about the problem and group’s operation.
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When action is taken clear assignments are made and accepted.
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The chairperson of the group does not dominate it, nor does the group defer unduly to him/her. Leadership shifts from time to time depending on the circumstances. There is little evidence of a struggle for power as the group operates. The issue is not who controls but how to get the job done.
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The group is conscious of its own operation. Gamble and Gamble
Gamble, Terri Cwal, and Michael Gamble. (1999). Communication Works
Sixth Edition. Boston: McGraw Hill College.