- The communications pattern becomes more complex and in-
direct. - Organisational problems become more numerous and larger.
- The demands on individuals become weaker.
- Individuals receive less personal satisfaction.
According to Wessam and de Klerk (1987), the difference in the
degree of activity between the group members in small groups
(three to four members) is rather small. The difference, however,
is clear between the most active group members and the other
members in somewhat larger groups (five to eight persons).
In tenperson groups, the need may exist for relationally crea-
ting common values, attitudes and behaviour. In groups of three
to five persons, there may instead be a need for the supervisor to
justify diversity and to ensure that it is acceptable to have diffe-
rent competences and personalities.
The problems, limitations and opportunities that arise due to a
group’s size have less significance from a short time perspective.
However, the foundation for work at an incident site is often esta-
blished in everyday tasks at the fire station. Problems, limitations
and opportunities can become influencing factors, for example,
when serving on a staff where one may be working with longer
time scales. Group size should normally be determined based on
the demands and needs related to the task or tasks to be executed.
There may be reason, for example, to divide a large group (unit)
during a response operation into smaller groups. This in turn will
affect work in the group, especially if one divides a group that has
worked and trained together smoothly for a longer period.
Leaders
Even if leadership is normally associated with groups and with
the relationships between different individuals, it is nonetheless
the individual that much revolves around. In organisations, there
are supervisors, and leadership is often equated with them and
their relationships to the group. One often differentiates between
supervisors and leaders, where ‘supervisor’ denotes a position,
while ‘leader’ entails a relationship. In the definition above, it
can be deducted that those who use power to get things done are
not leaders. However, these persons may very well be supervisors.
They have conditions of employment as supervisors, and through
their positions, they can thus exercise a certain type or degree
of power and make decisions that affect other persons. This does