Roles in Groups

There are recognised roles within groups and an individual may adopt each of the roles either within a single team or in different teams, often subconsciously. Being aware of the different roles a person may play may help you to recognise them in action, and deal with their positive and negative effects more effectively.

Task-orientated roles

  • Initiator-contributor: Generates new ideas.
  • Information seeker: Asks for information about the task.
  • Opinion seeker: Asks for input from the group about its values.
  • Information giver: Offers facts or generalisations to the group.
  • Opinion giver: Offers opinions or generalisations to the group.
  • Elaborator: Explains ideas within the group and offers examples to clarify ideas.
  • Coordinator: Shows the relationships between ideas.
  • Orienter: Shifts the direction of the group's discussion.
  • Evaluator-critic: Measures the group's actions against some objective standard.
  • Energiser: Stimulates the group to a higher level of activity.
  • Procedural technician: Performs logistical functions for the group.
  • Recorder: Keeps a record of the group's actions.

Social roles

  • Encourager: Praises the ideas of others.
  • Harmoniser: Mediates differences between group members.
  • Compromiser: Moves group to another position that is favoured by all group members.
  • Gatekeeper-expediter: Keeps communication channels open.
  • Standard setter: Suggests standards or criteria for the group to achieve.
  • Group observer: Keeps records of group activities and uses this information to offer feedback to the group.
  • Follower: Goes along with the group and accepts the group's ideas.

Individualistic roles

  • Aggressor: Attacks other group members.
  • Blocker: Resists movement by the group.
  • Recognition seeker: Calls attention to themselves.
  • Self-confessor: Seeks to disclose non-group related feelings or opinions.
  • Dominator: Asserts control over the group by manipulating the other group members.
  • Help seeker: Tries to gain the sympathy of the group.
  • Special interest pleader: Uses stereotypes to assert his or her own prejudices.