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.