Discussion 04: Group Leadership
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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.
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 as the one that is open for everyone to share, care and reach out, where the leader is not a dictator but a representative ( pretty democratic 😅). A group with a turn system is not equal fo everyone to reach out. An ideal group is pretty self sustaining with a particular set of rules like the ones we have in TL or TCR. The role of a leader in this type of group will be to keep healthy boundaries and give a gentle nudge for an conversation.
As a group leader, one thing you need to make it happen is giving everyone there part in forming the group so that everyone feels inclusive.
@specialSnow9454 Great idea Snow-- "giving everyone there part in forming the group so that everyone feels inclusive".
I liked that a lot. So how could you encourage everyone to engage to form the group?
@ASilentObserver I feel a group is made by people'passionate for a certain goal, voicing out what the group stands for and other fundamentals encourage people to join the group.
😊
How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader?
My ideal would be a room that is topic based (a subject given as the focus of group discussion and interaction). As a leader, I would act as a guide for the discussion (to welcome, acknowledge and support members) and provide a safe area for members to interact, discuss and share their experiences with one another based on the topic provided. Each member would have a sense of pride in creating a space in which they feel like family and share the responsibility of nuturing and growing their own space.
What is one thing you need to make it happen?
An available source of topics (and related facts) that would be stimulating enough for conversation, yet would also allow for members to come together despite any differences they may have.
@Sher217 Great vision Sher. I am intrigued. Would you like to share about this and how you could implement it in our existing group support system?
@ASilentObserver
Hey Obs,
I hope that I can explain what's inside of my head onto paper well. My idea is to bring people together based on their interests in the same subject matter. I'll try to give a few examples of modifications of this idea. These are random subjects that popped into my head at this moment but will need some serious consideration if this idea ever moved forward.
"Food" (We all eat something!) The title on the Group Support Room Menu would actually read "Food". This would be a room that is open serveral days of the week at different times to include all time zones.
The topic in the room could change from session to session. For example, I noticed around Christmas and New Year's time for the US, people from all over were discussing their favorite traditional holiday dishes. I, personally, learned of some new dishes from other countries that I knew nothing about. Also, recently a discussion came up about what people like on pizza. I was surprised by the fact that, even though we are spread out over the world, the favorites seem to be pepporoni or veggie pizzas, lol.
"Pets" (for lack of a better title) could be another subject based room. Most people that I've talked to on here have pets of some type and they are companions that play an important role in our lives. Again, the topic of discussion could change from session to session. But people coming into the room know that they are there to share their furry friends with like minded others.
Okay, so I hope that I explained well enough to allow others to follow along, lol.
I appreciate your interest in my ideas!
Hey @Sher217 , I really like your idea , a subject based chat or more like an open chat that stemmed from a topic that is known to all and in which all can contribute their thoughts in , I feel it would be a great way to initiate chats and keep the room moving!
Thanks for sharing, Sher ❤
@Sher217
I love your solution — it's definitely a place to start!
@Sher217
This is a very well-thought answer! I agree too, an ideal room would be a room that is topic-based. I'm happy to hear about your interest towards providing a safe area for members to participate in group discussions.
@Sher217
I agree
@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 the ideal group support being an inclusive environment where all members feel reaspected and cared for, where judgement does not exist and a supportive, warm atmosphere is well maintained through a certain set of rules everyone is aware of!
As a group team leader, I would say the ideal support group would be lacking of conflicts and full of encouragement and positive attitude! All members supporting each other and feeling welcomed ever since they join the group.
One thing that would be needed in order to make this happen is having well-trained moderators who allow each individual to engage in the group activity in an equal amount.
@Ines1229 Great thoughts Ines. I loved it and definitely, we need an inclusive environment to support the community. I see you mentioned well-trained moderators. So, I have a question for you-- What is one thing we do to improve the moderator's training so they are well-trained?
@ASilentObserver
Thank for the question, Obs! ❤️
I'm not a Moderator myself as of yet, so am not that familiar with this particular training. However, I believe the structure of the training is somewhat similar to the other trainings you may go through whenrver you apply for roles on 7 Cups. So I would say I can spot three really essential steps in trainings: Sharing resources and guidance with the trainee, testing their knowledge by the forms at the end of the training (Questions to fill) and giving feedback, so the trainees go through what they did not understand many times, until they assimilate the information needed!
@Ines1229
I agree, an ideal support room should be supportive and we should minimize any potential conflict or disruption.
@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?
My ideal support setting is a place where everyone feels like they can experts their mind (within reason of course) and not feel judged. Be able to ask questions and get the answers or help they need as quickly as possible. A real sense of friendship and bonds formed between the participants, genuine connections and feelings of love and positivity towards eachother ♥️
To make that happen you need people who are there to answer questions and recourses that enable people to educate themselves on where to find the appropriate help. In addition, you need regular Participants who are the people you can make genuine bonds and connections with.
@Azalea98 Well said! AZ. I agree with you 100% on it. So I have a question for you -- What is all we could do or need to make this happen? Could you please tell us more about this idea?
@ASilentObserver
Honestly from the leader's perspective its just being friends approachable and personable. So people want to speak to and therefore want to be in the room that you help run
@Azalea98
I agree with you! Having regular faces and informations available in the support rooms are vital for this purpose!
@Azalea98
I agree — having regular participants is a must :)
@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 visualise an ideal group support and group room as somewhere in which anyone and everyone can join in conversation of whatever the subject of talk is and / or start their own subject to talk about, without judgement from anyone. I feel it should be always an inclusive environment where everyone can feel welcomed, respected and supported. As a group leader, to make it happen, I would be welcoming of all, respectful and supportive of everyone who enters the room. And to remain professional to help the room feel stable and like there's someone to keep everything running well.
@kieran000 absolutely Kieran. It is definitely needed to create a supportive and inclusive environment. I have a question for you: Suppose a socially anxious member entered the room and even though you welcomed them, they didn't really respond to you. Or even if responded they are not really comfortable engaging in the group. So as a group facilitator, what will be your step to make it happen?
Reminder: This is the discussion thread, so all thoughts are welcome. There is no right or wrong response.
@ASilentObserver
Good question! In response to that situation, I would reasssure them that this is a friendly, supportive environment and that they belong here. I would ask an open ended question to get them naturally involved into the conversation, if they don't reply to that, I'd probably mention if they need 1-1 Personalised support, feel free to message any listener privately. As sometimes groups are really scary for a socially anxious person to approach, getting used to talking to people 1-1 would help ease them into eventually talking to more than 1 person in a group. But of course that will be if attempts to include them in group conversation don't work well.
I think Inclusivity and Diversity are key words we need to hang onto here! Great points
Always a great time when you're in the room!
@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?
My ideal place of group support and group room is a place where people feel welcomed, cared for, supported, motivated, encouraged, and not judged. The chatrooms are often filled with all of the above but sometimes it can also lack some things. When you wander into a chatroom it should feel like a safe place for you, a place where you can talk about things without being judged or shamed for it.
One thing that is needed to make it happen would be teamwork. Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. "There is immense power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work towards the same goals.". When we work together we can achieve bigger things, we can make the chatrooms even better, we can create more making it a safe place for all people of all types. I'm not saying that it's not a safe place already. We still have room to approve.
@mxmes
Feeling "cared for" is so important, really! And so is team work. Team work makes time dream work. I really like your idea!😊
How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader?
I visualize an ideal group support as inclusive, welcoming, supportive and a positive environment. Group rooms ideally should be topic based, and not too overwhelming. These rooms should have support for whatever topic needs supporting, and enough of them that they don't get chaotic.
What is one thing you need to make it happen?
One thing you need to make this happen is a positive attitude and good moderation. Good moderation leads to supportive environment, and a positive attitude leads to good interactions that makes the rooms desirable places to find support
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?
As a group leader, my ideal group would be one where members felt comfortable supporting one another and the leader did not need to step in much. One thing that would be necessary for this to happen is having a group of members that are regulars in the room and are comfortable in the room, who can model behaviour for newer members. In order to have regulars, it must be easy for people to return to the room and people should feel welcome. To achieve this, discussion times must be well publicised (e.g. forum posts and announcing the next one at the end of the session) and leaders/moderators must make an effort to welcome everyone into the room and acknowledge their messages.
I love your ideas. It makes me think of the disability rights movement slogan by James Charlton: "Nothing About Us, Without Us!". Can members better support one another as individuals who might be experiencing some challenges? I feel like members can really connect with another at a different level.
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader?
An ideal group in my opinion is one that firstly has got enough regular participation ro minimize the number of Times a member enters a dead room (their question going unanswered or them feeling alone in their struggle)
Also my ideal room is a safe, comfortable space for all to just be themselves, share what they have on mind and feel belonging, not to be scared of being judged, being a bother or get triggered
What is one thing you need to make it happen?
As for the first I go with "late is better than never" so I reply whenever I see the message, if I think that the member/listener isn't in the room I reach out to them in pms, offer my full support and appreciate them for sharing in the group, so that this experience hopefully won't discourage them from coming to group room again later when they need support
For the second point, I find group environment super helpful but easy to get triggered or feel scared in, so for when more than 4-5 people sharing struggles and looking for support at the same time it is really easy for some of the participants to get triggered, overwhelmed or feel like a burden to start to share, as a leader I always try my best to assure everyone that sharing is okay, that they won't be a bother and that they are equally as important and deserving of support as everyone else in room but about triggers and getting overwhelmed, this goes for myself too, when having more topic rooms opened, asking a number of sharers to move to another room with me works, this way it's possible to ensure more space for all and also to avoid members triggering each other
@ASilentObserver
Ideal group support would be one that provides a safe and supportive space, has a clear purpose and structure.
One thing I need to make it happen is to be welcoming to everyone since the moment they enter the room. Set the structure at the beginning of the session by sharing the guidelines and purpose of the session, encourage attendants to participate, listen to understand, validate and empathize, appreciate shares, opinions and inputs given by participants.
@ouiCherie
Your mapping is great and looks very effectiv to me, Cherie!