Group Leadership

Leadership A process of using communication to influence the beliefs, attitudes and values – and ultimately, behavior – of others, to meet group goals

Designated leader Someone who’s been appointed or elected to a leadership position

Emergent leader Someone who becomes an informal leader by exerting influence in a group but does not hold official position or title

Bases of influence (power) Reward (give desired things) Coercion (force) Punish (withhold desired things) Legitimate power (position power) Referent power (admiration/respect) Charisma (extreme referent power) Expert power (expertise)

Approaches to Leadership Trait - born, not made Style – function of leader behaviors Democratic Laissez-faire Autocratic Contingency – situational

Functional - Task, Social Leaders provide information Leaders can process lots of information Leaders enact a variety of functions Leaders help members participate Leaders help members understand and value their decisions/actions Leaders help group stay on topic

Situational Models Leaders should focus on certain aspects of a group’s situation to pick the best leadership approach. Young groups, with little experience and little success, need strong, task-oriented leadership Mature groups need less task-oriented help and more relationship-oriented support

Communicative Competence Effective small group leaders can articulate ideas clearly and concisely, especially goals, problems, values, ideals and solutions They talk regularly, but not excessively They are good at integrating lots of information, they can ask probing questions, and they can help draw conclusions

They express opinions conditionally They express group-centered concerns. Not cocky or arrogant They’re respectful They share rewards of good performance

Distributed Leadership model Each member is expected to lead by engaging in leadership communication Distributed leadership is usually more effective than autocratic, directive.

Problem Solving & Decision Making Problem Solving: the process of moving from an undesirable present situation to a desirable goal by overcoming obstacles to that goal Decision Making: choosing among options The task is usually spelled out in the “charge”

The Question Fact: whether something is true or can be verified Value: whether something is good or bad, better or worse Policy: what action should be taken

The Steps 1. Problem analysis 2. Develop possible solutions 3. Evaluate possible solutions 4. Consensus decision 5. Implement the solution

Boost Creativity – Brainstorm Given a problem Call out ideas – MANY!! – and post 1. No evaluation – no criticism, no laughing 2. Quantity 3. Innovation – wild, clever, weird 4. Hitchhiking – spinning Cull at a later session

Conflict A struggle between people who must work together but whose goals or values are incompatible Conflict is at the heart of good problem solving because ideas must be challenged Failure to challenge can lead to Groupthink, a false agreement

Using Conflict Constructively Express disagreement – your duty Stick with the issue, not side issues Express disagreement carefully Disagree with ideas, but don’t criticize the person Base disagreement on evidence and reasoning, not innuendo or emotion

How to lead problem solving Review purpose of the meeting, the charge, the area of freedom Suggest procedures Ask a clear problem question to get things rolling Keep discussion goal-oriented Regulate participation so all may Stimulate critical thinking & teamwork

Functional Roles, Part II Task Functions – help get the work done Maintenance Functions – help keep the group together Dysfunctional behaviors – selfish, ham- handed, destructive Task Functions first:

Task Functions (1 of 2) Information giver – offers facts, evidence, personal experience, etc. Information seeker – requests task- related information Opinion giver – gives personal opinions, attitudes, beliefs Opinion seeker – solicits

Task Functions (2 of 2) Starter Direction giver Summarizer Diagnoser (of progress or standstill) Energizer Gatekeeper Reality-tester

Maintenance Functions Participation encourager Harmonizer Tension-reliever Evaluator of emotional climate Praise giver Empathic listener – without evaluation to personal concerns

Dysfunctional Behaviors Blocker – raises objection after objection Attacker Recognition-seeker – Seeks to be center of attention via various gambits Playboy – Joking behavior in excess of situational need Withdrawer