Thursday, September 27, 2012

1). Why use a consultant or an observer for a small group?  (Remember, carefully think through your answer.  Your final project is based on this very concept).

    In a group there can be difficulties trying to come up with ideas because often times we worry that we will take too many things into consideration of our group members and we end up restricting our creativity. A consultant observer is important because they have no problem with the considerations and issues within your group, mainly because he or she is not apart of your group this is only beneficial because he or she will be able to give you ideas right off the bat and you and your group could just narrow down which idea is best as you go down the list.
    An observer is something that each group member becomes when there are no outside sources to help us. As an observer you would go out and review the topics or subjects required by your group. I like to think of it as collecting credible sources for a paper, as an observer we are all required to make sure the information is valid so our group members can handle the information properly. Monkey see, Monkey do, Monkey understand and report back to group for evaluation.

2 comments:

  1. Hi Timothy Lee! I enjoyed reading your post. You are right the group members are often times so busy in managing each other that they lose on creativity. I think an outsider views the group from a third angle, which the group has not yet seen from and provides some important insight. Moreover group members also do not feel offended by the consultant observer’s comments as he is asked to do his job by the group. When working in a group differences are inevitable because every person wants to do things in a certain way, but getting everyone under one umbrella to work proactively is the real challenge. I think there should be a strong leader to lead all the differences towards a single goal. I think it is human psychology to compare and contrast or compete among each other, which can be detrimental in working undercurrents of a group.

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  2. Great job getting down to the simple truths of using a consultant and observer. I like your tag line at the end. In a lot of ways, we can forget that it is ok to be the monkey. Picking up usful information for the purpose of solving a problem or coming up with new ideas can really be aas simple as picking upi useful information and reporting back with just the facts. Being more objective verses being interpretive. We can tend to get wrapped up in the needs of our selves and forget that there are small truths all around that need to gathered and evaluated without all the close feelings that come from being in a group. Pick up the info, find out how it can apply to your situation and then pick whats best. Good post.

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