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
Discussion: What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
In my eyes diversity amongst members is a key factor in ensuring 7Cups is a welcoming place, it does not matter where you come from, your religion, sexuality, etc. We are a family here at 7Cups - as a group leader I strive for compassion, friendliness and a positive environment where all are welcome and able to express themselves
I am ever so grateful for 7Cups I have met people from all over the globe and this to me is my takeaway on diversity
@KyleBorg i like that perspective-- we are a family on 7 cups ! <3 we're all human and here for support. it does not matter where we come from or what our backgrounds are at all. we should all be treated the same at all times
@rrretsuko
Well said, rretsuko. 7cups was founded because there is concern for access to emotional support. Mental health support is made feasible nearly anywhere on the world through 7cups.
I agree with your answer! Creating such an environment is ideal and I'm sure would attract more members to 7cups. Thank you for the wonderful answer!
Question :What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
Answer : For me, diversity can be a factor enhances group discussion. Having members come from various backgrounds and with varying opinions can shed insight on our own opinion and knowledge. As long as it's done a in a civil and welcoming manner, I believe diversity is a wonderful thing to have in group discussions and I hope as a group leader I can help make the chatrooms flourish while keeping that in mind.
Takeaway:
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.
This can be done by embracing the uniqueness of the members
@DonaldDraper Definitely, a leader has to accept and embrace the uniqueness of the members in the chatroom :)
I've seen the beginnings of miscommunication and misunderstanding in the chat rooms, but I try to bring harmony back in by mentioning that it's hard to read intent over the internet, where we don't have body language and facial expressions to help us along. Plus, we come from all over the world, we have different religions, culture expectations, gender expressions, and other characteristics, but we're all coming together to get and give support. I think it helps to remember that support is what it's all about.
@GoldenNest2727
yes Golden, in the end, support is all that matters 💛
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
Diversity is important because it makes us open-minded! 7 Cups supports people that are looking for someone to talk to, and if we unite in this cause, we can support a diverse group of people. We also have to respect the viewpoints of people whose perspective differs from ours.
@usefulSummer3139
Excellent point about diversity helping us to be more open-minded. I've learned about mental illness and mental health issues from 7-Cups.
@usefulSummer3139
That is very true, it helps build respect between individuals.
@ASilentObserver
What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
I think that diversity important. This is because it helps us understand that although there are some difference's between us we can still find a way to link our issues and help each other get through things. This is important because it ensures that we understand each others problems and help us be more empathetic towards each other.
@Reemhelp
I agree, it does help us to empathize, when we share our views and understand them as the individuals they are!
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
Takeaway: My takeaway from this post, all of the amazing discussions here on the forum and of course my experience in the rooms is that the individuality of our members should be a first priority.
And why? Everyone makes different experiences, copes with difficult situations differently and goes their own way. Of course we should always try to relate to them or show our understanding, but also acknowledge the diversity of each and every human being on here.
What can we do as leaders, to support the diversity? I think we can always respond to everyone and try to see the world from their perspective. Even if we might not understand them sometimes, all the feelings they are experiencing are valid. So let us support them in every way we can. Put ourselves in their shoes, while also telling them our perspective on things.
Thank you Obs for all those amazing Posts, they were extremely helpful. And thank you everyone for reading this and engaging in the discussion! 💙
@MelodyoftheOcean
*claps for Ocean and their rainbow post*
Well said!
@WarmLightXO
thank youuuuuuu
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
Diversity does not make much sense if there is going to be sub groupism in the group. Diversity is fun when all can empathize and have concerns towards others in the group.
We should be supporting empathetic and concerned as group leaders thats all!!
That's true. At the utmost level, empathy and compassion lie over any sort of groupism.
Good point about subgroups inside a group room. We should not fall into cliques and remember to not be exclusive.
@ASilentObserver
What is your takeaway on diversity among members as the group leader?
Everyone is part of the group an should be as equals. Everyone is on this platform for a reason and that is what binds us all. There are of course differences in problems and if it's not very fit for the group i'd kindly remind them to reach out to a listener for a 1-1 chat. The leader is the one that holds the group together.@niens
Agreed, all equals, all doing our best, all here to support (either someone else or ourselves) 💕
When talking about diversity in any given scenario, I think it's easy to think of it as a bad thing, as something to be overcome, to be dealt with, rather than something that could be a strength.
To use the example of the anxiety support room, where members have similar roots, we can use that mixure of similarities and differences as strength. If everyone in the room has health anxiety the conversation is more likely to bounce- Person A says I'm worried about x and Person B agrees and Person C says they've felt that way.
While empathy and validation are things we encourage, that amount of agreement and anxiety in one space can be suffocating and make things worse. By having that diversity, members who experience anxiety, but in other ways, can say Wow anxiety really stinks, it's making you think that's true, and it's not.
By having both common ground to stand on, and wiggle room for better communication, we strengthen our rooms. This applies for many things, not just experiences ❤
@WarmLightXO I strongly agree on, having both common groups and past experiences is going to strengthen the bonds of both the members and leaders in the room :)
@WarmLightXO
GLDD mentors: Richuyulin, blissfulForest7074 , 29Amy , HealingFox210 , AriadneLove, CaringHeart123
