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
I think all groups wehavetowork toward a. Commen goal with like minded people. We have accept each points of vie and find a way to work thing out.
@RainbowdogsofParadise
Very true :)
Even when the group classified in the same topic, variability still exists.
Roots of variability in groups are:
○ Sublevel of specific topics
○ Thoughts and perspectives of each individual's own identities and challenges.
One important role of a group facilitator is to ensure that the environment remain supportive for the participants and that the conversation remains in the healthy direction as well.
Discussion: What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
I think its incredibly valuable to have diversty within members because they can provide us with so many different points of views and perspectives that will be helpful for the general functioning of the group.
@optimisticDay8079 @ASilentObserver
i really agree with this. I have learned so much because of the diversity of the groups here at 7 cups. I am a more empathetic listener as a result of learning about different perspectives, cultures, races, genders, etc in the group rooms.
What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
A takeaway that I have for diversity is that it allows us the community to look at issues from many points of view. This allows us to understand things in a different way but also to learn more as well. As without diversity then we can't learn about other cultures outside of our own.
What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
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.
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
That it is still beautiful as diversity creates a sense of uniqueness and we get the opporutnity to learn from each other regardless of the obstacles that may arise. It is very important to remain compassionate, humble and find a common ground and this will only lead us to learn more about this community and develop important skills
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
Diversity in a group can create challenges but I believe it is the task of the group leader to create a common understanding that despite the variety how issues/challenges present themselves the feelings of sadness, anger, fear etc. are universal so no matter what challenges people have, at the end others can relate to the experience of their feelings.
It’s about caring, emphasizing with other members’ pain.
A group can benefit well from a greater variety of perspectives based on different culture, gender etc.
My main takeaway is that as a leader, we need to underline the correlation in experiences and connect people in the group, so the chat can be in a friendly, supportive and inclusive atmosphere. Their diversity is always present, nevertheless, it carries both positive and negative effects, thus our role as a leader to bring positive treats on the surface for every member of the group to benefit from.
@ASilentObserver Discussion: What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
i think everyone should realize that they are reaching for the same goal on here. either to support, or get support <3 it doesn't really matter what race, gender-identity, religion, sexuality, etc. everyone else has because we are all on here for similar reasons. at times, people can become a bit frustrated by this, and it can be really hard to try and calm everyone down.
@ASilentObserver
One takeaway is whatever room I might be supporting, it's important to be opened minded and well prepared that the problems/ struggles shared from the members might be diverse and various. It's important to have a willingness to learn new things in this situation.
Rather than focusing on what people can learn from us, how about we focus on what we can learn from them? Everyday is another learning opportunity!
