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
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?
Ideal situation:
A non-judgemental room full of support for each other is something that I picture when I think about the ideal situation in a group room. And I know that is not always easy. So what can I do to help?
I think if I show my empathy towards others, give them my full support but also show my humor some time, it could make the environment a lot more like that ideal situation I described. And if everyone tries to give their personal best, it might not only be a situation, but also a reality!
Thank you for reading through this! 💙
In an ideal world, group support would flow between people sharing and supporting with minimal envy. Everyone would recieve attention, feel heard, and relate to others. The listening to others and relating would feel therapeutic as well as the talking. To achieve this, we can lead by example, taking turns with others in the room and providing ample support and acceptance.
@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?
An ideal room is where every one has some responsiblity which is dependent on others. some responsibilties you can apply for some come to you by default. That way people are dependent on each other and have to remain calm and patient with each other. The Task of a Group leader is just to make sure that no one is lagging behind.
One thing you need to make it happen: have different versions of the same task given to people in the group to ensure good quality and healthy competition and awareness
@Johndoe70 That's a really good catch! I believe that assigning
different versions of the same tasks will really help keep people
competitive, which will definitely increase the engagement of the group and keep every member occupied on their task at their own speed :).
@ASilentObserver
How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader? What is one thing you need to make it happen?
What I think is, that an ideal group support and group room is a place, non-judgmental and safe space where everyone can join in the conversation of all sorts of subjects or start their own subject to talk about.
To make this happen as a group leader I'd be welcoming to everyone, listen to everyone's ideas and stories and make sure that the group is respectful towards eachother.
@niens Indeed being respectful and welcoming to members that join is really a good step in creating an indeal group support environment :)
@ASilentObserver @ASilentObserver I visualize ideal group support as a place where
everyone can speak and be safe. As well as being encouraged to share
what's on their mind :)As a group leader, I believe that my approach shouldn't be fixed to one aspect, in fact, it should be multi-faceted. For example, being able to joke around and make the members in the group while at the same time, being assertive and strong against people who threaten the supportive atmosphere such as rule breakers :)
@RandomAravyre
@RandomAravyre
I agreed with everything you said here! That ideal group support would be a place where everyone can speak freely. I really liked how you mentioned that your approach should be multi-faceted, rather than being fixated on one aspect. I believe that this ensures a healthy balance in your leadership role, which is essential to providing that ideal group support you envision.
@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?
@kindFish9215
I am really surprised with your response over a stable sense of self but I feel that is so true. Knowing who you are and what your role is, is so important in a group support setting. Thanks for sharing your insight!
@kindFish9215 That is a good idea of an ideal room! Hoping to see that one day
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 a space where everyone can open up freely without fearing being judged, criticized or shut down. When a person walks in, even if they are new, everyone should feel like a friend. If not a friend, at least someone they know will never judge them. We need to ensure that everyone knows that you may not always agree with what someone else is saying but that doesn't mean it's wrong. It simply means that people are different and that's okay.
I would also like to be more interactive and supportive in group rooms. I wish to be able to spend more time in the rooms to support those that need it.
@FrenchToastClub
Hope you get to spend more time in the rooms to create the space you envision!
@ASilentObserver
I envision ideal group support settings being a space where people can be welcoming, kind and supportive to others. Greeting new people and inviting them into the conversation is a part of that.
A way to get there is by modelling the behaviour I want to see in a chat room. By making a point to welcome in people joining in chats and asking open questions to the room, it allows for others to be inviting and also to share their own experiences, thoughts and feelings.
@LilyBlossom21 Yes, thats true. Feeling left out is a problem more people face and that would be a good initiative
@ASilentObserver
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 that is open-minded, kind, and accepting. It's for everyone to share what they know or what is happening to them, and receive support when they need it. The leader is not a leader, but someone who represents the group. The leader's job is simply to guide the conversation and give support to anyone who needs it.
@Kpopcat2020
I agree, a leader does not always have to take the spotlight but often work kind of behind the scene and make sure that everything goes well.
@ASilentObserver
How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader?
i visualize ideal group support and the group room as a group leader by leading with love and compassion but also setting boundaries. I want others to know this is a safe space to speak and feel comfortable just as it would at a one on one chat. Leading by example to let everyone know i am the leader and if something goes wrong i will be there to help pick up the peices.. and put them back together. Helping others feel heard, and knowing that this is such a kind place to come too. I want the group support to feel like love.
What is one thing you need to make it happen?
setting boundaries and enforcing the rules. the guidelines and the rules are there to keep my members or listeners safe, and felt heard. Also if someone is not doing what they are suppose to that it will be addressed immediately.