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This study examined dialectical tensions faced by leaders of small task-oriented groups. Interviews with 10 male and 13 female group leaders revealed three major categories of internal dialectical tensions: group control by leader/by members, leader's focus on task-related/nontask-related concerns, and leader's focus on group process/outcome. Tensions were nonbinary; for example, task concerns contrasted with three different types of nontask concerns. Future research should investigate the relationship between group leader effectiveness and dialectical tension management, the relative importance of managing specific tensions, and the consistency of group leader/member perspectives.
Her research focuses on group leadership and social change. She thanks Charlene Berquist, Isabelle Bauman, and the reviewers for their insights in developing this paper and an earlier version of which was presented at the National Communication Association Conference, Boston, November 2005.