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.
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?
A group support room should be welcoming, open and supportive to all. Leaders help ensure everything is going smoothly and everyone feels like they're a part of the group. One thing you need is compassion in order to empathize with others and relate to how they may be feeling.
I can agree with all your points there. Leaders do play a part in making sure everyone feels welcome and empathizing really goes a long way in making sure everyone get proper support.
@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 group support and group room would contain harmony and compassion between the members communicating. For a group leader an ideal group support and group room would have no infighting or anyone dismissive of anybody's feelings. And everyone is comfortable to share in that platform
I think a leader cam do their bit to ensure such a perfect atmosphere for everyone partcipating in the chatroom. For an extend we can set a comfortable and safe atmosphere and remind the members to read and abide by the rules when participating in the chatroom discussion, as well use their powers as necessary when someone doesn't follow them.
@blissfulForest7074
I agree with you, no arguments in a group and ensuring participation is a top priority for group leaders to maintain. Utilizing our powers correctly can develop a better group setting that is comfortable for everyone to participate in.
I agree that rules are an important part to ensure the chatroom stays in a great and positive condition. Using your powers as a leader when necessary is also an important point to remember because sometimes we might hesitate to reprimand or scold a member in fear of breaking the chatroom's atmosphere
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 group chat is when everyone is participating and having lots of fun! Oftentimes, people are not participating because, as the discussion suggested, they are afraid that they might get judged and misunderstood. As group leaders, we can do a couple of things to prevent the worry and to promote participation. The easiest and the most effective would be to greet everyone to make sure that they feel welcomed and embraced, then we want to make sure that everyone is comfortable by eliminating any threatening factors like discomfort topics and unsophisticated actions.
@29amy people should absolutely have fun in the group chats and participate <3 engagement is very important and it helps to make the chats more lively ! when people are friendly to one another and helping to brighten everyone's day, it can really make a difference :)
How do you visualise ideal group support and group from as a group leader? What is one thing you need to make it happen?
ideally for everyone to share, care and reach out.
everyone needs a “part” in feeling inclusive
there is no I in team
making sure everyone feels safe, and that they can have a safe place to be able to share.
to not allowing the bullies that are online to attack when on group settings
@AussieRhyno lovely post , <3 <3 you stressed on putting others first and i feel that is the soul and purpose of groups and the quality of an ideal leader to take care of everybody involved ,
so beautifully put "there is no i in team" <3
@AussieRhyno
great answer I love it - I agree "there is no I in team" we are a unit, and there for one another I totally agree everyone should feel welcome and be able to share
Thanks for sharing this with us
Question : How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader? What is one thing you need to make it happen?
Answer : For me, I view an ideal group support and group room as a room where everyone can be themselves without restraint. It's important to emphasize to participants how they are accepted in the group to encourage openness and provide a comfortable space for them. I think the one way we can do to make it happen is to be respectful and warm to the members. It can be nerve wracking knowing you have to share in front of various people that is also in the group and by being kind and not rushing them, it can help them feel welcome and show they also have a choice to share what they want.
@BloomingSakura
Great answer I agree members should not feel as if they are restrained to there emotions, being welcoming and empathising that they are not alone etc. are all great ways to make a more welcoming chatroom
I love the answer and how thoughtful it is - I hope to see you act upon this and shape the chatrooms into your ideal environment
Thanks for sharing
Question : How do you visualize ideal group support and group room as a group leader? What is one thing you need to make it happen?
Personally, I view an ideal group room as an environment where everyone is welcome, can be themselves without holding back as well as a place of compassion and empathy. In my eyes it is extremely important to emphasise to members that we are there for them, they are not alone and we are here to support them. I believe the key way we can make the chatrooms and groups more ideal is to be respectful and compassionate to one another by doing this we create a sense of happiness - a place people feel welcome and want to be. It can be nerve wracking expressing yourself in a group however, by following my above points we create a welcoming environment where there is no judgement and this is my idea of an ideal chatroom
@KyleBorg
That sounds amazing Kyle! 💙
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 group would be where everyone feels welcome and shares freely.
For that to happen, we need to encourage healthy participation. Ask questions that people find relatable. And keep the topic within the bounds of appropriateness.
@DonaldDraper
"Ask questions that people find relatable," is a good tip. I keep a list of icebreakers handy for when things slow down.
@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 feel that an Ideal group support is where people ensure that in a group setting, everyone feels included/involved as much as possible. We could this by making sure that everyone is heard and everyone gets the support they need. Sharing circles would largely contribute into this since everyone gets their own moment to share how they feel.
@Reemhelp
I've noticed that some members get frustrated when the Sharing Circle has a full queue, so they aren't able to jump in quickly and get support. It's tough sometimes for sure.
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 might be unusual, since I like busy rooms with lots of participants and chatter. I think there's space for everyone to participate, learn, share, and get and give support. Plus, as much as I want to encourage our members to join in, I can't deny that sometimes it's also beneficial to lurk and just absorb if that's the person's preference. Maybe lurking a time or two will lead to openly joining in later on. I think I can help everyone feel at home, encourage open participation, and keep the room supportive; but ideally, it's the members that will do the majority of the chatting. It's no different from hosting a dinner party. The host starts the conversation, but the focus is on the guests!
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: How do you visualise ideal group support and group room as a group leader? What is one thing you need to make it happen?
An ideal group leader is one who takes into account various factors while leading. They need to be adaptable — a strategy used for one group discussion may not be applicable to another one. An ideal group is one that has healthy boundaries and is inclusive and welcoming of everyone.
We can do this by using simple methods like just listening to someone and respecting their opinion, even though we may not agree with them.
@usefulSummer3139
Yes Summer, respect is definitely a huge factor! 💛