1. Does your preferred role (recorder role) match your perceptions? Justify your answer using examples of your behavior.

2. Given your preferred role, how can you be most effective in group assignments? What challenges might playing your preferred role cause for you? For your group? 3. Describe how playing your least preferred role ( gatekeeper role) has been problematic for you and one of your teams. Explain two ways you could improve your performance and that of your team by working on this deficiency.

Elaborator TABLE 8.3 Task and Maintenance Roles15 TASK ROLES DESCRIPTION Initiator Suggests new goals or ideas Information seeker/giver Clarifies key issues Opinion seeker/giver Clarifies pertinent values Promotes greater understanding through examples or exploration of implications Coordinator Pulls together ideas and suggestions Orienter Keeps group headed toward its stated goal(s) Evaluator Tests group's accomplishments with various criteria such as logic and practicality Energizer Prods group to move along or to accomplish more Procedural technician Performs routine duties (handing out materials or rearranging seats) Recorder Performs a "group memory" function by documenting discussion and outcomes MAINTENANCE ROLES DESCRIPTION Encourager Fosters group solidarity by accepting and praising various points of view Mediates conflict through reconciliation or humor Compromiser Helps resolve conflict by meeting others halfway Gatekeeper Encourages all group members to participate Evaluates the quality of group processes Harmonizer Standard setter