0 Communicating in groups ensures that each person present there is hearing the
00 same information at the same time. Group communication also allows people to
41 interact with each other about the changes and can help people develop a sense of
42 team, particularly that in a climate of adversity. Communicating in groups also has
43 some disadvantages. In many organizations where there will be people who will
44 not feel comfortable in talking in a group context. The more "personal" the
45 effects of the change, and the more likely people will withdraw from the group
46 process. A second danger of group communication is that for one or two
47 particularly vocal and negative people can set the tone for the group, and then foster
48 unproductive negative discussion out. While expressions of concerns about change
49 are healthy, the "doom-sayer" can cause this process to become destructive. So for
50 this reason, group communication needs to be managed with skill and expertise.
51 Sometimes an external facilitator person is necessary. Finally, there are some issues
52 that cannot be discussed within a group. For example, when in downsizing situations,
it is inappropriate to announce to a group that John and Mary are losing their jobs. When
changes are likely to create a high degree of upset to individuals, they must be dealt
with in private.