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– encourage– express feelings– relieve tension– compromise– facilitate communication– set standards– set goals– interpret– listen and follow

Functions for action and for the group

• harmonise and mediate• test agreement• evaluate

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