Dr. John Gribas

Communicating to Group Creativity and Effectiveness

People need to work together to accomplish many things. At the same time, working in groups is often a frustrating experience. These session options focus on the central role of communication in defining and guiding groups. Depending on time available, topics that can be covered include the following: (1) an overview of the reflective thinking method for group problem solving, (2) understanding communication style and composing groups with diverse styles for better decision-making and problem solving, (3) the nature of creativity, its relationship to communication, and communication strategies for more creative group problem solving, (4) the problem of groupthink and how to avoid it with effective leader communication.

Saying What You Mean and Meaning What You Say is Not Enough

Many people see communication as primarily, even exclusively, a process of expressing thoughts and feelings. Communication is certainly that, but it is also much more. This session asks, "What does it mean to be a competent communicator?" and introduces the idea of message design logics. We all work from a fundamental sense of what communication is "for." Our answers differ in important ways, and some message design logics are associated with much greater relational satisfaction, stronger interpersonal influence, and even more upward mobility in employment setting. An understanding of all of this can help people catch a vision for more sophisticated and effective ways to communicate with others.