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Paradoxes of Group Life: Understanding Conflict, Paralysis, and Movement in Group Dynamics
During the past decade, leaders have increasingly relied onself-managing work groups, multifunctional teams, andcross-national executive groups to create the organization of thefuture. Yet groups are not a panacea for organizational problems;conflicts between individuals or factions within a group oftencreate seemingly contradictory situations?paradoxes?that canprevent the group from reaching its goals.
In this groundbreaking classic, Kenwyn Smith and David Berg offera revolutionary approach to understanding groups and overcoming theproblems that often paralyze group members, the group as a whole,and relations among groups. They explore the hidden dynamics thatcan prevent a group from functioning effectively. And they show howan apparently paradoxical suggestion?for example, inviting asuccess oriented group to risk failure, or affirming the benefitsof going nowhere to a group focused on moving ahead?can breakaction barriers, overcome conflicts, and improve groupperformance.
Smith and Berg offer a different way of thinking about groups thatwill open new avenues of inquiry for professors and students ofgroup behavior, and they propose many innovative ideas that willprove valuable to consultants, trainers, therapists, and others whowork with groups on a regular basis.
In this groundbreaking classic, Kenwyn Smith and David Berg offera revolutionary approach to understanding groups and overcoming theproblems that often paralyze group members, the group as a whole,and relations among groups. They explore the hidden dynamics thatcan prevent a group from functioning effectively. And they show howan apparently paradoxical suggestion?for example, inviting asuccess oriented group to risk failure, or affirming the benefitsof going nowhere to a group focused on moving ahead?can breakaction barriers, overcome conflicts, and improve groupperformance.
Smith and Berg offer a different way of thinking about groups thatwill open new avenues of inquiry for professors and students ofgroup behavior, and they propose many innovative ideas that willprove valuable to consultants, trainers, therapists, and others whowork with groups on a regular basis.
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 30, 2013
This is one of my favorite books from my Leadership course-- it examines group dynamics mostly from a psycho social lens. Loved it. Very applicable.
October 23, 2024
I had to read this book for my Special Education Collaboration class and was very happy I did.
Paradox’s exist all around us and at first I didn’t even know what a paradox was. The book talks about paradox’s of trust, creativity, authority, disclosure and speaking. Plus many more
The book also goes over dynamics in groups it discusses individuality and a persons relation to a group. It goes in depth well offering tips to promote productive movement in a group and to prevent stuckness.
I was able to refer back to many dynamics in my own life from my special education cohort, my lacrosse team (past and present) and girl friend group. It also made me think about my role and place at work both serving in the past and in an office setting.
Super interesting book!
Paradox’s exist all around us and at first I didn’t even know what a paradox was. The book talks about paradox’s of trust, creativity, authority, disclosure and speaking. Plus many more
The book also goes over dynamics in groups it discusses individuality and a persons relation to a group. It goes in depth well offering tips to promote productive movement in a group and to prevent stuckness.
I was able to refer back to many dynamics in my own life from my special education cohort, my lacrosse team (past and present) and girl friend group. It also made me think about my role and place at work both serving in the past and in an office setting.
Super interesting book!
January 26, 2024
Interesting but a hard read. Not for the casual reader.
February 4, 2024
review on storygraph. https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews...
June 29, 2008
Very interesting to anyone with an interest in psychology; very useful to those who study organizations.
Absolutely fascinating how paradox is everywhere...the yin and the yang... the connective tissue between academic disciplines, between individual and collective life.
I thought the theory was explicated in a generally very clear way and although I've read about paradox before, this was much more understandable. The last chapter is particularly very, very useful as it applies the theory to a specific case. Could have been a few more examples I thought interspersed throughout of how these theories come to life in practice, because I think that even when you are comprehending what the authors mean, the examples really help to immediately ground it in your experience. I liked how they explained how some of the basic principles of psychotherapy are writ large in the group context.
Absolutely fascinating how paradox is everywhere...the yin and the yang... the connective tissue between academic disciplines, between individual and collective life.
I thought the theory was explicated in a generally very clear way and although I've read about paradox before, this was much more understandable. The last chapter is particularly very, very useful as it applies the theory to a specific case. Could have been a few more examples I thought interspersed throughout of how these theories come to life in practice, because I think that even when you are comprehending what the authors mean, the examples really help to immediately ground it in your experience. I liked how they explained how some of the basic principles of psychotherapy are writ large in the group context.
May 27, 2008
Paradoxes of Group Life is a masterful explication of the concepts its title announces. This readable volume will serve the newcomer to Group Dynamics as well as the more experienced cognoscenti. People are often fundamentally ambivalent about ourselves and our participation in groups.
Smith & Berg explain these (often unconscious) dynamics with great clarity and force. Treat yourself to this compelling analysis. I highly recommend their important work!
Smith & Berg explain these (often unconscious) dynamics with great clarity and force. Treat yourself to this compelling analysis. I highly recommend their important work!
October 31, 2008
I got a few good main points out of this, but I was less engaged as I have already studied some social psychology.
January 1, 2018
Was privileged to be taught by Prof. Kenwyn Smith himself while reading this book :)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews