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?
- I visualize ideal group support and group rooms as a very therapeutic, comfortable, trustworthy and enlightening environment. I visualize each participant entering the room feeling comfortable and familiar enough with the leade and fellow peers, and able to feel enlightened and inspired through Universality (one of the therapeutic group factors mentioned in the previous discussion).
One thing needed to make this happens starts with how the group is led, so I agree with the mentioned point in this post: That the Leader must have a firm sense of identity. It has a positive influence on the Members as well as builds trust and cooperation amongst the group
@SirenOfSerenity
Hello!
I think is is awesome, I totally agree with you <3 - have a lovely day
Tabby
@ASilentObserver
For me being a group leader is all about being kind and caring to everyone and making everyone feel included. I’m order for this to work though it can’t just be me. In order to be a leader you need to having good leader skills yes but the important thing for me is Teamwork. For me teamwork is really important and as a leader you need to make sure you can put that together. Everyone should be included and no one should feel left out. This also means though that everyone in your team needs to make sure that rules are being followed and boundaries are being set where and when needed. A leader would help to start conversations and include others in these conversations as well. If some people are shy about talking or lurking as mentioned in the last course than a group leader would be able to help lead topics and make things flow smoothly.
@Supergirl134679
HI, I think its awesome to include everyone and keep the chat following - thats fabulous and I totally agree with you! :D
Tabby
@ASilentObserver
I have learnt that I need to manage the anxiety of the group members helping them to feel part of the group and to know that their struggles are valid.
I have also learnt that I need personal some qualities as a group leader like integrity, trust, empathy, constancy, spontaneity, active listening etc which will help be effective in managing the needs of the group.
Thanks
@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 -
Everyone is welcoming, kind and follows the rules, the chat runs smoothly and nobody feels left out and everyone had an awesome time and Is supported throughout.
What is one thing you need to make it happen?
I must make sure to involve and include everyone by listening to everyone's contributions and making sure everyone is heard (:
Tabby
@TabbyCat97
Tabby, you have such a positive and straightforward answer to this. I am inspired by your initiative to make sure everyone is heard. This is a core goal of my groups as well.
@TabbyCat97 I am really glad that you're in this program with me😊 I would've loved to of heard a little bit more from you tabby. However I don't wanna put you on the spot. Being a group leader or running a group discussion or a group chat room Lowes have many dynamics.
As you said there are multiple ways to do this. Yes you are correct that you need to be compassionate however what do you do when you have a conflict? For instance I had someone yesterday who needed someone specifically a moderator so I did what they asked me to do I tried to help them find one.
However by the time I did they were agitated and I got blocked I don't know if I got reported which I hope I didn't but whenever you're dealing with someone that you don't know there feelings it's hard to determine whether you've made them mad or just upset.
It is really hard to find a balance between compassion structure and stability. Sometimes they want straight up advice but we know we can't give that but sometimes I have been backed into a corner. Which I will then proceed to tell them I'm not allowed to give advice so I structure it a different way. However sometimes I feel like I gave advice anyway. Sometimes it'll slip out because it's human nature. But the rule of thumb is always to try and not give advice. Because your way of approaching something may be different from their way of approaching it. I hope that made sense.
Feel free to DM me if you have any questions.
Donald
@DonaldK
Ill reply to this on Dms donald <3
@TabbyCat97
I think these are great ideas!
@TabbyCat97
Great, I agree
@TabbyCat97
Wonderful! You are so amazing and I'm beyond proud of you, Tabby friend.
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 group support for me is positive, welcoming , inclusive and supportive.
One thing for that to happen is maybe awareness of guidelines and to encourage spreading kindness always
@BlueRivercares, I appreciate how you mentioned guidelines. That is a great place to start for any group leader. Knowing all the ins and outs of our role and how we interact with our members within these guidelines is essential for the cohesiveness and quality of the platform.
@BlueRivercares This is great. Th guidelines are a great tool to use to point us all back in the right direction
@beck1 wow yes I agree
@ASilentObserver
@broadfemmelovelive first of all I love your approach it is good to have a good sense of humor when speaking the members and listeners alike. However I also agree with you that it's difficult to find the structure sometimes.
@DonaldK
Thank you for your very comprehensive answer; I am so grateful for your insights and, of course, know how difficult it can be to find professional and funny ways to lighten the room's atmosphere.
In all seriousness, it can be challenging, and I am so glad you feel supported when you find yourself off the mark when it comes to finding a balance between the two.
@broadfemmelovelive
Good job femme!
@broadfemmelovelive, I did not focus on my strengths and weaknesses when writing my discussion. I really like that you did! 😊
I agree that taking a back seat can be very important. I find that it can feel weird to slow down when others join in more, because I fear that the sharer may think I care less about them than the previous sharers whom I may have supported more because others were less involved. But it's not about us. It's about the group and the session. So I agree that this is something important to be aware of.
@MagnificentSunrise
Thank you for the excellent feedback. So glad we value knowledge of when to take a back seat as it pertains to this part of group support :)
@ASilentObserver
When your structuring a group or when you're in a group setting such as Group support or disability support etc. Each one of those have their own style personality and outcome some are more outspoken than that of others. That happened to me today during my time disability support chat room today I was late for one I didn't mean to be but a lot happened today.
I was trying to be goofy because I know people with disabilities like to have someone with a sense of humor. I had made a ask me anything discussion which I shouldn't of done but I did it kind of goofy Community mod Christine taught me that I need to be more professional. I didn't get reprimanded or anything but she just guided me that it would be more appropriate next time can you say something like ask me anything with Donald K or Open questions with Donald K something that affect. For example just to be silly I said AMA who the heck is Donald K that's what I used but I also sad LOL at the end which I know now it was not appropriate.
That being said when you're dealing with the group dynamic just as OBS said each group dynamic is going to be different some group leaders may find a structure is more important other group leaders we'll find out a free spirited room may get more intention. Some group leaders however well that the members talk for themselves and amongst themselves. I didn't mean to be so long winded for this topic balloon finally understanding the questions. I hope I did a good job on the other one.
Let me know if this doesn't make any sense I hope it does it does to me but other people may feel differently I will respect constructed criticism. Thank you!
Donald
@DonaldK
Agreed
@ASilentObserver
I ideal room is an non judgemental and welcoming supportive room.
I try to make everyone feel inclusive in the room and also welcomed as well as emphasize.
@Healingbeams
Every time I have seen you in one of the rooms, you always do an amazing job at this
@Healingbeams
I also think making everyone feel welcome is key!
@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?
The ideal group support would include everyone being heard and validated, while ensuring that it is a safe place for all. Unfortunately, sometimes, topics will be triggering for some. So when hosting a discussion, it is important to remind members what it will be about and that it is okay to take breaks and reach out to a listener if they feel like they need additional support. It is also important that we welcome new members and make sure they understand what that particular room is about.
@beck1, triggers, self-care and one-on-one support are good points! I did not mention them myself, but they are important and I try to pay attention to them. But it can be a challenge when we are already very busy make the session work.
@ASilentObserver
So, Obs, this is a great prompt: 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: I'm thinking of Adult Member Sharing Circles. In the ideal, people arrive at the top of the hour, greet each other, then move through the Sharing Circle, turn by turn, reflecting on each share with positivity and hope. They end feeling a sense of community, everyone says goodbye for now, and it's over.
What do I need to do to make it happen? I think if I set up times when I facilitate and then it's the same time each week, then people will try to arrive at times when I'm there to facilitate, so the first element might be: setting a regular schedule. Unfortunately, with my other work, that's difficult to do, but I've done it! What I've found in the past is like in the movie "Field of Dreams" :”If you build it, he will come” (not they). This is a line from the 1989 Kevin Costner movie Field of Dreams. In the movie, Costner's character Ray is struggling with his relationship with his deceased father who was a devoted baseball fan.
If you build it, they will come - means that if you put effort and belief in the success of a project into that project, It's more likely to succeed.
So, if I show up at a particular time, and people feel secure in my presence, then they will arrive again.
@VioletVeritas
@VioletVeritas
I love your answers! They are very thoughtful ❤