Transcript Working in Groups

Working in Groups
Acknowledgements to Coover V, Deacon E, Esser C, et al. Resource manual for a living
revolution: a handbook of skills and tools for social change activists. Philadelphia: New
Society, 1985.
Key ideas
•
•
•
•
•
Describing how groups work (or don’t)
The functions that make up group work
Leadership and facilitation
Problems in groups
Conflict resolution
Describing our own groups
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cohesiveness (shared goals & values, trust)
Climate
Pressures (sources of, management of, impact of)
Goals (short, medium and long term)
Effectiveness (internal process, external action)
Structure (roles, relationships, process rules, leadership)
Standards (expectations, sanctions, evaluation &
learning)
• Governance (accountability, turn-over, orientation)
Group functions
• Functions for effective
action
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
initiate
seek / give information
seek / give opinion
clarify
elaborate
coordinate
develop procedures
summarise
reflect
• Functions for the group
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Functions for action and for the
group
• harmonise and mediate
• test agreement
• evaluate
encourage
express feelings
relieve tension
compromise
facilitate communication
set standards
set goals
interpret
listen and follow
Leadership
• Think ahead; know the issues; bring ideas
• Clarify feelings; acknowledge people’s feelings and help
to clarify how feelings and attitudes are shaping
discussion
• Sense, understand and help to manage the tensions and
dynamics
• Bring back to big picture (and how it shapes our feelings)
• Summarise discussion, articulate emerging themes
• Articulate the issues for consideration; help to order the
discussion / decision process
• Encourage others to develop leadership skills
Decision making in groups
•
•
•
•
Voting
Consensus
Power
Others?
Facilitation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Environment and resources
Clarify goals and tasks
Manage the agenda
Clarify process for consideration and decision
Articulate uncertainties
Affirm and appreciate
Ensure involvement and commitment
Maintain energy and enthusiasm
Evaluation
Finalisation
Problems in groups
• Blocking
• Dominating
• Special-interest
pleading
• Attention-seeking
• Non-participating
• Jumping around
•
•
•
•
•
•
Low morale
Lack of focus
Hurt feelings
Nagging
Bad vibes
Distracting
Conflict resolution
• Prevention
• Clarify and make explicit the issues (and
the feelings)
• Affirm the feelings; separate the issues
• Active listening and ‘I statements’
• Others