Discussion 06: Diversity Among Members in the Group
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 05: Ethical, Cultural, and Group Management Issues, then check here!
This discussion will highlight how group leaders think about the identities of the group members and themselves and how we factor these thoughts into planning and leading the groups.
The myth about the homogenous group
When we talk about homogenous or heterogeneous groups, it is referred to as the problem presented in the group. A homogenous group is one in which members share similar kinds of problems to discuss and share. Anxiety Support Group, for example, focused on anxiety issues while Depression Support Group focused on depression, Trauma Support for trauma-related issues, Relationship Support for relationship support issues, and so on.
Although, variability still exists in these topic-specific groups as well even though it is assumed it is not highly relevant to the operation of the topic-specific groups. This perspective can have different roots. The first is the sublevels of the specific topic. Like in the anxiety support room, there could be some members experiencing social anxiety, some struggling with test anxiety, and some with health anxiety as well. Though they are broadly categorized as anxiety, they are different. The triggers for these subtopics could be different and so the coping mechanisms and intensity at which a member experiences them.
Another root is member’s thoughts about their own identity and the challenges they have. Due to differences in one’s perspective and how everyone perceives a piece of information could cause conflict too. Like thoughts on one’s mental health struggles with the factor of religion or cultural aspects to it. And, how others see it. Or, the group leader’s own thoughts on these points and the knowledge they have on it to address it.
All of these factors conspire to lead group leaders to limit permissible acknowledgment of the diversity of the group members even though they look like a homogeneous group.
To address this diversified group, a group leader needs to acknowledge. Individual differences like age, generational influence, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, socio-economic status, mental health issue, etc need to be considered and acknowledged while addressing and leading the group.
When a group leader acknowledges their situation with an empathetic view and helps them understand how others may have similar situations but just individual differences, then they are able to build a healthy connection and support in the group. It allows group leaders to structure the group effectively even though they are diversified.
7Cups Community Leader, for example, is the term we use for our leaders instead of stressing on who is from where, the age, education, etc. In the 7Cups ecosystem, they are known as community leaders of 7Cups who are performing different levels of activities to ensure better support and guidance for everyone.
As long as a group leader is able to identify and connect the common grounds, the group members would feel inclusive and unified and better supported and comfortable.
Discussion: What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
Activity: Respond to at least two of your fellow trainees' comments with thoughts on their share.
After fulfilling the requirements of this post. 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.
Edited by Asherwolfice, 4/19/21
@ASilentObserver
What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
My takeaway is that although we all come here for the same reasons, how we interpret others and certain situations are different based on our cultural and social makeups. We might all come here to give support or be supported but how we receive and give that support matters a lot as everyone has different ways of interacting and feeling.
@Endure777 that's very true. The general purpose of 7cups is where people can receive as well as give support for those who need a safe place to be in, no matter where they are from. I think that's quite a challenge for a group setting since the group members will often be from different backgrounds, and it's up to the group leader to acknowledge that and be open-minded around them.
What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader? I think that people dont just fit one category and they can be in multiple groups or relate to others in each group.
We are all different and no two experiences are the same.
Yet we can always find someone who we can relate to.
Thank you for your wonderful comment!
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@AnnaSilverberg
youre welcome
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
As a group leader, I believe it's always important to be open-minded and respectful among fellow group members from different cultural and religious backgrounds when taking part of group discussions. I'm grateful that 7cups is accessible around the entire globe, so it definitely helps everyone learn as they are introduced to different cultural and religious backgrounds from the words of other people in this community.
I also believe it's important to remind everyone that they all came here for common reasons which are everything that 7cups provides. Not everyone may have the same experiences or relate to each other, but it helps to know that they came here to seek support and a safe place to freely express themselves. When encountering different ideas and beliefs, it depends how a member may take it. There's always civil way to acknowledge disagreements, but most experiences I've witnessed often lead to huge disruptions in a chatroom that would result moderators taking action. I think it's important that members should also understand that they will be encountering people from different backgrounds who may not understand the same way we do.
Overall, 7cups should always remain open and welcoming to all kinds of people, no matter who or what they are.
@ASilentObserver I personally believe that gender does not matter when it comes to a group setting, trauma is genderless and so are the effects that are left behind on the person. If I was a team leader, I would make sure that each person was noticed as much as possible and catered too as much as possible. Sometimes as society thinks problems are gendered which are completely false. Which is a lot people in the public now have such a hard time asking or yearning for help.
It's very thoughtful and I love how you focus on remaining inclusive!
Absolutely wonderful!
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is different. We all have different stories, different backgrounds, views and beliefs.
And that's the beauty of being in the world, no two persons are the same.
As a group leader, we have to make sure that our own views on things are not interfering
with our abilities to lead the group we're leading. Because we need to remain neutral.
We also need to be able to kindly remind our members that we are diverse,
our experiences, although they can be similar, aren't the same.
Two can go through the same experience, but they will experience it in a different way.
Because they have lived life differently and their stories are different,
that affects how we live through life.
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Being able to use empathy and kindness to make sure that everyone in the group
feels heard and seen, even though they feel differently from one another
or have different views about specific things,
is something that I feel is very important. We need to acknowledge
every thought and emotion, validate it and make sure that no one is feeling invalidated
because their experience isn't "fitting" with the views on how others experienced things,
or their views on how to go through, cope with or handle things.
We are all different, keeping that in mind and embracing it is the key to
accepting ourselves and those who we're around in a peaceful and a
supportive way, to make everyone feel that their experiences matter
just as much as everyone else's. That's truly priceless.
Supporting rather than dividing, that's what matters.
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@AnnaSilverberg Your perspective beautifully encapsulates the essence of leadership in acknowledging and embracing diversity. The emphasis on remaining neutral, and validating diverse experiences resonates well. Your commitment to creating a supportive environment where every voice is heard and valued is inspirational! 🖤
thank you for replying to my comment 🤗
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@ASilentObserver Appreciating and embracing the diverse tapestry woven by individual members is paramount in the realm of group leadership. As the orchestrator of this collective symphony, acknowledging distinctions in age, generational influence, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, socio-economic status, and mental health nuances becomes an integral part of the conductor's role. This recognition not only brings forth an empathetic perspective but also elucidates the shared threads that bind these unique experiences.
@ChillingRain
Such a poetic & original way to answer! We are definitely a tapestry of differences, woven together to find commonality.
@ASilentObserver
Note: Reusing my answer from 2021 as my response hasn't changed.
As a group leader, I think diversity is a key component in providing us with different takes on problem-solving and succeeding in completing a project. 7Cups is a diverse platform and we always have to be willing to work with people of different backgrounds as a team we work to achieve the same goal. Furthermore, it helps to have standardized communication as people tend to speak a single language that everyone understands. Hence causing fewer communication barriers.
@Takitoteka
I like how you mention how diversity provides different takes on a similar goal. It helps provide learning, insight & growth as group leaders too!
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
My takeaway, as a group leader of a diverse group of members, is identifying common ground among the group as a whole, while acknowledging & empathizing with individual differences of each member with respect. By approaching in this manner, not only can it build a more supportive room, members also feel included, regardless of differences.
@CaringSub
Common ground is so important, even when there are varying issue. Thanks for this great reminder when there is a lot of diversity.
@ASilentObserver
To me, diversity is the most valuable part of 7 cups and the group rooms. It doesn’t matter to me whether the group is homogenous or heterogenous, I utilize the same active listening skills in every room. Being able To empathize regardless of diversity is what makes a successful group leader in my opinion.
@Kristynsmama
I agree with you. Helping them to feel valued and that they matter and are included is my role as a group leader.
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
This is a great question. There is always going to be diversity among members in a group, but as a group leader it's important for us to know our area and potential biases as well as the different issues that may be in our area for discussion. For example, in the eating disorder community, we have multiple types of eating disorders, plus disordered eating. Then we have those who are supporting those with eating disorders. We also have members who join discussions who are in recovery and no longer struggling with their eating disorder and are there to provide support as well as those who are looking for support from any discussion and don't have any struggles with eating disorders. There are those who are newly diagnosed and those who have no diagnosis and are self-diagnosing from the internet.
As a discussion group leader, I need to be sensitive that not every topic is going to fit every member and topic discussions need to be varied and open to various types of eating disorders and open as well to a general population where it doesn't matter whether there is an eating disorder or disordered eating or friends and family members attending.
It's my job to help members in the discussion to feel included and welcome, as well as validated and know there is a space to be able to be heard and supported around their challenge with eating disorders.
