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?
Ideally, I believe it would be best to have topic rooms full-time as these allow members to engage in conversations they require. Within these groups, each member would be engaged by listeners as well as other members to maintain that strong sense of community. This allows individuals to feel more able to talk and be vulnerable with one another as a rapport forms. For this, the group leader would need to be compassionate and allow everyone opportunity to participate with the discussion at hand, ensuring everyone feels heard. Additionally, this means the leader has to be warm yet persistent as some people will require more effort to engage. I try to practise this in my chats.
@MaggieListens00 @ASilentObserver
i agree with the idea of having topic rooms full time. It might take people from the MCR, but they could get topic specific support anytime.
@ASilentObserver If I was a group leader, I envision methods that carter to everyone. Not everyone handles things the same so, it would be wrong of me to assume that someone could handle the same amount of work as I. Sometimes, leadership forgets that their Team is in fact a team, creating turmoil because they either expect the members beneath them to pick up their slack, which could create future problems amongst the team itself.
We always have to find what suits each Team member to work on.
To work with our strengths not our weaknesses!
Amazing!
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@WinterRose9
Great response winter! It's important to find leaders who we click and work well with. Otherwise what was initially fun for us, may become an unenjoyable chore in the end.
I visualize a group room where there is a very welcoming and supporting atmosphere,
where everyone can feel safe and secure when they share or just have a general discussion.
I imagine myself to be a leader that reads each room that I enter, you don't burst in with
the same energy you have in the Positivity Corner when you go into Trauma Room, for example.
Each room needs it's own type of support, often the basis is the same, but the methods we
use aren't the same. We are all giving support, group support. But we are doing it in different
settings in each room.
So, I would like the room to be very welcoming to those who enter, inclusive to everyone,
a space where everyone feels safe and know it's not a judgmental place.
So they have no worries about how they are viewed by others, because they know
they will be accepted by others, for who and how they are.
I want people to be supportive of one another and be willing to share their
resources of what has helped them through their tough times.
Or even if we are in a positive mode, to share jokes, stories and just everything that
brings a smile on everyone's face and a warmth in everyone's heart.
What is one thing you need to make it happen?
To be consistent to how I am when I am a Moderator.
For example, I am a Group Moderator in the Positivity Corner and I make sure that everyone
feels welcomed, heard and seen. Because I feel like inclusivity is very important and I know
how hard it is to enter a new room and get inside the group and be a part of it.
I show how I can be trusted and how I am human, how I am not "just" a Mod that is in the room.
But that I am a part of the people who are there, and that I'm there too to have some fun,
positivity and light chats about wonderful things.
I show my kindness, because I believe it goes a long way, I show how I cherish each member
that shows up in the Chat room and how I appreciate everyone that is already there.
I show them that they matter, that they are wonderful.
And that brings positive and good feelings.
And even though I'm a Mod there, a Listener, I am also there as a person who is looking
to have some uplifting discussions, fun and smiles to share.
So, the one thing I do need is myself.
To use my Active Listening and my positivity.
That's what works for me.
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@AnnaSilverberg
Great response Anna! It's definitely important to show the community we're just like them, a human behind a keyboard despite holding leadership roles such as mod. We simply step up to those responsibilities when conflicts arise.
@AnnaSilverberg
I love your response. What stood out to me with your response is how the different types of rooms and chats varies according to the type of chat room you are supporting and leading in. It is a good point that I hadn't consciously considered, but now that you've pointed it out, it does make a ton of sense! Thanks for pointing that out.
@ASilentObserver @ASilentObserver In envisioning an optimal group support setting, I picture a space where members genuinely connect, finding solace and understanding. The essence lies in creating an environment of open dialogue, where every voice is not just heard but valued. The consistency of my presence as a leader is crucial, providing a reliable foundation for members to share their thoughts openly. Active listening becomes the cornerstone, ensuring that each member's perspective is not merely acknowledged but also embraced.
To actualize this vision, trust stands as the linchpin. Establishing a firm identity and building trust among members lays the groundwork for a secure and supportive atmosphere. Infusing empathy and humor into the dynamics contributes to a positive ambiance. The ideal group is a vibrant community. Striking a balance between spontaneity and purposeful interventions, the leader guides the group toward meaningful interactions.
At its core, an effective group leader embodies the desired behaviors, serving as an inspiration for members to contribute positively. Through actions, professionalism, and unwavering support, the leader shapes the group into a cohesive and encouraging community.
@ChillingRain
I agree with you on using the active listening skills. Trust is so important. As a group leader, we instill that. Thanks for your response. I agree with so much of it and I couldn't have said it better. I love where you said that striking a balance between spontaneity and purposeful interventions, the leader guides the group toward meaningful functions. That is so true.
Note: I'm reusing my response for 2021 since my answer hasn't changed.
I visualize the ideal group room would be one where everyone would feel comfortable interacting with one another. Some of the interactions may include sharing, providing support, or simply just hanging out. It should be a judgment-free, respectful, and supportive environment. One thing I will need to achieve this would be teamwork. I will need to communicate with participants what the current expectations are. Gather their feedback. Discuss with the teams involved and make adjustments based on the feedback received and updates for the future.
@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 think the ideal support group and group room has involvement of all group members, with equal opportunity to participate, those who are quiet, being invited in and those who are actively talking providing time for those who are on the quieter side. As a group leader, being sensitive to the needs of the group. To make this happen, I need to be an active listener who is paying attention to the activity of the group, to those who are being quiet and who are dominating the chat. Being able to include those who aren't contributing to give them the opportunity to discuss as well as letting them know that they are seen.
Group is not the same as 1:1, and not everyone who joins group knows that group is different, so as a group leader, my responsibility is to make sure to help balance that.
@ASilentObserver
My ideal group chat is one that is welcoming and all inclusive. I do like the sharing circle idea, however the challenge i see with it is that when a new member pops in they don’t feel included because only one person is sharing. For that reason, I prefer an open chat where everyone can speak freely.
@ASilentObserver
i actually already make this happen in every group chat that I participate in by welcoming people into the rooms and asking them how their day is going. Or for newbies, I generally ask them how they are liking 7 cups so far. I try to get them involved in the chat.
@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 ideal group support as being conducive to everyone's learning and development toward their own goals. If everyone respects each other, learns something from the group, and helps support and respect eachother, then that is an ideal group. One thing I need to make happen is to make sure people are engaged and feeling safe and comfortable enough to share.