ROLES COMMONLY PLAYED BY GROUP MEMBERS

TASK- ORIENTED ROLES

                      Communication

initiator-contributor:

• suggests new ideas to solve group problem or new ways for the group to organize the task

information giver/seeker:

• deals with information and facts about the group's task

opinion seeker/giver:

• deals with the group's values regarding its tasks

energizers:

• tries to keep up the group's energy level

elaborator:

• goes into detail about how group plans would work

coordinator:

• coordinates group activities

orienter:

• keeps the group focused on its goals

recorder:

• acts as the memory of the group

                                                                    challenger:           

• questions the quality of the teams methods, logic, and results

RELATIONS- ORIENTED ROLES (SOCIOEMOTIONAL)

harmonizer:

• tries to keep relations between group members harmonious

compromiser:

• offers to compromise own position to keep the group harmonious

encourager:

• praises and encourages group members

gatekeeper:

• facilitates the participation of othrers in the group

group observer/reflector:

• supplies the group with observations about  its procedures, pointing out the + and - aspects of team dynamics and calling for change if necessary

• attends to the process of consensus building

SELF-ORIENTED ROLES

blocker:

• disagrees with the group and revives old issues for discussion

recognition seeker:

• seeks personal honor in the group

dominator:

• attempts to manipulate the group and dominate others -- persecutor

avoider:

• refuses to focus on the task or group relationship problems

aggressor:

• attacks the group

self-confessor:

• uses the group as a forum for inappropriate talk about self

help seeker:

• looks for sympathy from others -- victim

clown:

• shows non-involvement in group and engages in distracting communication

dominator:

• attempts to manipulate the group and dominate others