Task and Maintenance Roles in Groups
| Task Roles These roles help to get
the job done. They often appear to need tough and single minded
people in them. They relate to the rationale (life of the
group) |
Maintenance Roles These roles
provide the ‘oil’ for the machinery. They look after the emotional
life of the group, help make it work, consider the needs of
individuals. They open up the channels of communication. |
Types of people in Task Roles
Initiator
|
Start things off; or helps change direction. Initially
often the leader. |
Clarifier
|
Takes individual contributions and clarifies them -
encourages people to be specific "are you saying that
...", "it seems to me what you are saying is ..." |
Information giver
|
Gives or volunteers to find out certain information.
It may relate to the exact structure of the task. |
The questioner
|
Asks fundamental questions about the task of the
group. Main factor is the ability to step back from what is going on
and challenge assumptions. |
The summariser
|
Does not add anything (or much) but provides the
facility of checking what has been achieved. Provides breathing
space. Can be a formal role in a group. |
Types of people in Maintenance Roles
The supporter
|
Provides warmth to individuals "yes, I think that’s
a good point", "that was really helpful" etc.
Non-verbal support - a mistake to see these as non-contributors. |
The joker
|
Allows the group to let off steam. |
Sharing experience
|
"That happened to me" - helps breakthrough
to the personal level. |
Process observer
|
Often shows himself when the group gets stuck. Helps
unblock group dynamics. |
|