Discussion 04: Group Leadership
Please note: In order to successfully complete the program, you must respond to this post. Your comment/response should answer the questions/show that you completed the given activity (if any). Read the post carefully and implement the learning in the chat rooms. If you didn't participate in Discussion 03: Group Development & Therapeutic Factors
, then check here!
Now that we have considered the therapeutic processes that are available for group building and development to move a group towards its common goals. We will discuss the role of a group leader/ facilitator/ specialist who seeks to activate it. Certainly, every leader varies tremendously based on the type of groups they facilitate, the approach, intellectual and personality characteristics, and other factors. Yet we know that to become an effective leader, one could develop common sets of skills and characteristics. The roads can vary but the destination must be the same to ensure members have the best experiences in the group support.
Leading the group is different from individual support.
Listening & supporting in 1:1 setup and leading and supporting in the group set up is different. Because in group setup, you are not just one but sharing the space with a number of other members too who may be going through similar or different situations.
You will notice a level of anxiety among members. The anxiety of how they will share in the group, what if others will judge them or don’t understand, or what if they feel stuck in the middle of sharing, and so on. And, in an open group, when a new member joins in while a member is sharing, they might not feel comfortable as a new person joined and who do not know what sharer is going through.
In such situations as a leader, you would be managing and addressing the collective anxiety of the group. Acknowledging and supporting each member to feel comfortable and so the new member who joins in as well. Reminding them how they all are part of the group and each of them has valid struggles. So, as a leader, you are interacting with a bunch of members and ensuring they get support as well as providing support to each other.
Group dynamics can give insight into how the clients react in social situations outside of the group.
As a leader, you gain insights into how members could behave in the group setup. So, it is important, you make better choices while being a group leader:
How much leadership to exercise. Every group is different. Some members are more comfortable speaking up and sharing with each other while some groups would need gentle nudges to make them talk and seek and provide support. So, as a leader, you need to choose and decide how much leadership you need to exercise based on the group you participate in.
How to structure the group. You can structure the group i.e. how the group will function. Whether all interactions will be parallel or it will be turn-based setting so one share and others listen and process repeats.
When to intervene. Some like to sit back and listen and support the members as the chat goes while some leaders like to have tight control and decide how the chat will move. Every leader is different. And, interventions will vary based on groups too. If all members are supportive and comfortable discussing, a leader would let members discuss and support each other. While if some members join in with unacceptable behavior, the leader would need to take the lead and remind them to have appropriate behavior.
Personal Qualities of a Leader
Every leader has their own strengths and weaknesses and has a unique style to approach the group and lead it. But to be an effective group leader, it is important to have some common skills and traits like Constancy, Active Listening, Firm Identity, Confidence, Spontaneity, Integrity, Trust, Humor & Empathy.
You need to build your own firm identity in the group as there would be different leaders at different time periods. So, to build a healthy connection with the group members, it is important members know what kind of leader you are so they feel comfortable and have a sense of belonging when you present in the room. Moreover, be an empathetic leader who communicates with each member with respect and acceptance. Encourages them to discuss, share more, and take action. Compliments the members from time to time to keep them motivated and remind them their actions are getting noticed. Gently persuade them to speak more and take steps to progress and improve. And, provide support to all so everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging.
As a leader, you are modeling and shaping the behavior of the room and group members. You would need to set an example and inspire group members to be like one and collectively have a modeled group support in the room. Your activity, participation, professionalism, and support determine how the group will be doing.
Discussion: How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader? What is one thing you need to make it happen?
Activity: Respond to at least two of your fellow trainees' comments with thoughts on their share.
After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next discussion here! Ensure to implement the learning from these discussions in the chat rooms to build and support the group. You must take part in the brainstorming/activities given in all of these discussions to successfully complete the program.
@ASilentObserver @Asher @kindLemonade
How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader?
My ideal group support is a discussion around a topic that has been chosen by me as the host. When being the group leader I see myself as a guide, a mentor, someone who shows the way and shows how to be welcoming, supportive and acknowledge the members in the group. To me it's important to set up boundaries in the beginning of a discussion for the group to know what is going to happen and how it's going to happen. That creates a safe environment for all participants where they feel safe, share their experiences or thoughts and also support one another. The ideal would be a room with no conflicts, where people are not judged, where people respect each other and show interest in differences. I also would like to have a positive atmosphere in the room where we are allowed to have fun together in all seriousness.
What is one thing you need to make it happen?
I need to be prepared to host. I have read the script and know my topic. I know if I'm prepared it gives the discussion higher quality. As people are allowed to come and go, we also need scripts with questions where everyone feel included and can jump right into the discussion when they enter a room if they'd like.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.
@musicalHarmony
Setting boundary is never easy and I'm so glad you mentioned this point in this discussion. Maintaining a strong boundary yet warm atmosphere in a group chat can be challenging as there are more than one person. I'm also happy that we are all a team here and other leaders can support you when you're hosting as well.
Boundary - setting in room setting is a good reminder to me personally, thanks for sharing your thoughtful view.
@ASilentObserver
I think empathy and trust are the two most important qualities a group leader must have. If the members and listeners have trust in the group leader discussions will run more smoothly and people will open up more easily. In a group support room people are reaching out looking for support so it is important as a group leader to have empathy. It shows you are able to put yourself in the person's shoes and let them know they aren't alone. It shows that someone understands what they are going through and that can sometimes help deescalate any fears of going through their challenges on their own.
@wonderfulRainbow817
Hello Rainbow, I agree that empathy is very important. At the end of the day, being empathetic is core quality of a listener and thus, this is also true to a host as well.
I'm glad that you reflected on this and share with us your perspective.
(Revised Answer)
How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader? What is one thing you need to make it happen?
As a group leader the ideal group support would be where everyone is respecting each other's boundaries (not interrupting others when they are speaking, respecting pronouns, etc). Also, it is vital that our support and group rooms stay supportive at all times. This ensures that all will feel supported and will be willing to share more when they need to because they are supported. As a group leader first and foremost I need to make this happen by being an example. If others see me being respectful and supportive they most likely will follow along. If there is a situation where either of these aspects become compromised it is my job to ensure that there is a quick change in how things are going down. For example, if there is someone not supporting a member/listener right away I should be reaching out to support the person to ensure they know that even though one person isn't there is still someone there to support them. Then it is important to give a friendly reminder that the room is a supporting room. If things don't de-escalate then more drastic measures can be taken like asking for a Moderator to diffuse the situation or block the person not being supportive.
@ASilentObserver
I visualize an ideal group support and group room, as a group leader, as somewhere that everyone can come, whether they need cheered up, help, or are just bored. It's somewhere that everyone helps everyone, and when it's appropriate, people can joke around with others. It's a place that, to suceed, has to have people that are willing to support each other, instead of pushing each other down, and I think that everyone needs to be inclusive, so that nobody feels left out.
@politeHoney5554
I agree with your visual, @politeHoney5554.
my ideal support group would be similar to a support group and include different types of activities, which includes a lot of what is already done (open chats for support and community building), and support sessions more skills oriented. some sessions could have more specific goals and having folks coming every week same ones, to have "serie" with a logic progression in. On healthy living, i often include "Psychoeducational goals" similar to group therapy but sometimes its hard follow the series because there are different members every week.
Though I think it's possible to have this happen, either by announcing it, encourage it members to join the next week one, giving some "homeworks" to work between similar (similar to exercices from the self help guides) and explain more the goal fixed of sessions. Such a overall goal for the serie and smaller goals for sessions, there could be even small closed groups (using the badge locked system) for topics more sensible such sexual assault trauma, which could encourage some members to slowly open more and develop specific skills in a environment much safer.
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader? What is one thing you need to make it happen?
I visualize group support as a place for all members and listeners to support one another. A good support group focuses on all members and ensuring that they get the attention and support they need. A good group leader remains professional but also has a personality and interacts with the people. One thing that all parties need to make happen is that they are supportive and following chatroom rules.
@ASilentObserver
Discussion:
How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader?
I visualize an ideal group as one that is welcoming, friendly, respectful and supportive to all participants. The host will be seen as the person that unifies the group with healthy boundaries, reassurance and mutual understanding. It will be based on genuine connections, friendships, empathy, positive contributions and attitudes. There will be no cliques and minimum conflicts or misunderstandings in order for everyone to feel safe and comfortable.
What is one thing you need to make it happen?
To have well-trained hosts/moderators (characteristics includes teamwork, collaboration and gathering feedback) to facilitate the meeting. Having professional check-in sessions with all hosts on a weekly/monthly basis to ensure competence and inquiries. Educating them on different guides, resources, forum posts and structured templates for the sessions.
I visualize a kind, supportive and welcoming environment that is open to discussions to topics as long as they are within the guidelines. One thing I need to make it happen is willing members.
@milkoreos I agree with you. Willing members are important as well when it comes to participating in discussions or rooms. Thank you for sharing :)
Discussion: How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader? What is one thing you need to make it happen?
I think it is extremely important to build a rapport with people I speak with in group rooms. As a mod, I face this situation basically everyday. I do my best to be empathetic, approchable and supportive. I try to engage with the room, but also provide gentle reminders when appropriate. My job is not to police people, but simply to make the environment as supportive as possible.
It is important to ensure everyone feels included and like they are being heard. This can be done simply by asking how someone is if they're not talk much, using icebreakers (e.g. what's your favorite color). In terms of the kind of leader I want to be, I would treat everyone equally. Leadership doesn't mean you're better than anyone. You're meant to raise the group you're leading up!
Sometimes I get involved to make sure everyone feels okay and included, or to de-escalate conflict, sometimes of course I just sit back so people can enjoy as I wouldn't want to dominate the group. I'd try to harness my strengths like humour, empathy, integrity, and spontaneity to be successful as a leader, keeping in mind a balance with professionalism.
@jovialButterfly6752
Building rapport with people in the rooms is so important. It sounds you have a great way of making sure people feel heard in the room.
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader? What is one thing you need to make it happen?
I visualize an ideal group support and group room as in inclusive and functional space that allows new members to jump right in as well and more expirenced ones to guide the way. I think that there always needs to be a certain level of order to any chatroom because people come in/out and sometimes there are so many participants that it can be overwhelming. One thing I need to make it happen is generel respect: respect of yourself, the other people in the room along with their personal thoughts ideas and opinions. We might not all agree on the same things but respect is key to a finctional group room so that we can all learn and grow as people.
@olivia5611 I agree with you, people always coming in and out so they scatter everywhere. And mutual respect is really needed in rooms. Thanks for sharing :)
@olivia5611
I totally agree. Even just one person that has to argue people's experiences or perceptions in a room can set the entire mood and flow of the chat off. Sharing our own views and keeping our opinions of others to ourselves goes a long way and makes for a safer space to share.
