1. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Chapter 12 Leading the Middle Stage of a Group ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

2. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. The Middle Stage of a Group The most important stage of a group is the middle or working stage because this is when the members should be working, learning, and deriving maximum benefits from being in a group. ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

3. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Planning and Assessment The amount of planning that is needed for middle sessions is based on the purpose, the members, and their level of trust, interest, and commitment. The leader needs to always assess how much to focus on content and how much on process. ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

4. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Screening Out Members There will be times during the middle stage of the group that the leader will need to screen out members. This should be done carefully and with much thought, but should be done. Remember, one member can very much hinder the value of a group for other members. ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

5. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Dealing with Breach of Confidentiality There will be times when a member will breach confidentiality. Each situation has to be handled delicately. Sometimes the member should be removed. Other times, this situation can serve as a learning opportunity for everyone. ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

6. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Leadership Skills and Techniques for the Middle Sessions Using Progress Reports Introducing topics for discussion Stimulating members’ thoughts Varying the format Changing leadership style, if warranted Changing the structure of the group, if warranted ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

7. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Leadership Skills and Techniques for the Middle Sessions continued Using voice to get members to think Using outside materials and assignments Meeting with members individually Informing members in advance when the group is ending ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

8. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Middle-Session Outlines Leaders must think through the topic –Understand key issues pertaining to a topic –Introductory exercises –Deepening rounds, dyads, and exercises ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

9. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Middle-Session Leadership Tactics for Specific Groups Education Group –Need to constantly shift from information to discussion Task Groups –Help members generate ideas and options Brainstorming The fishbowl Guided fantasy –Help members move toward resolution ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

10. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Common Mistakes During the Middle Sessions UnderleadingOverleading Letting the warm-up phase last too long Remember, the majority of the time during middle sessions should be spent in the working phase and not the warm-up phase. Letting the focus shift too often ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

11. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Common Mistakes During the Middle Sessions continued Focusing too long on one member Focusing on only one or two members Planning only one or two activities Choosing uninteresting speakers (educational groups) Failing to allow time to process an activity ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.