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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.
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Key ideas
• Describing how groups work (or don’t)
• The functions that make up group work
• Leadership and facilitation
• Problems in groups
• Conflict resolution
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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)
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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
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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
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Decision making in groups
• Voting
• Consensus
• Power
• Others?
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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
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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
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Conflict resolution
• Prevention
• Clarify and make explicit the issues (and the feelings)
• Affirm the feelings; separate the issues
• Active listening and ‘I statements’
• Others