Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Leading the Middle Stage of a Group ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Chapter 12 Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc 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 The Middle Stage of a Group The leader needs to always assess how much to focus on content and how much on process Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc 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 ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Planning and Assessment Remember, one member can very much hinder the value of a group for other members Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc 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 ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Screening Out Members Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc 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 Dealing with Breach of Confidentiality Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc 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 Leadership Skills and Techniques for the Middle Sessions 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 Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc continued ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Leadership Skills and Techniques for the Middle Sessions – Introductory exercises – Deepening rounds, dyads, and exercises Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Leaders must think through the topic – Understand key issues pertaining to a topic ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Middle-Session Outlines – 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 Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Education Group ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Middle-Session Leadership Tactics for Specific Groups Overleading 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 Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc Underleading ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Common Mistakes During the Middle Sessions 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 Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc continued ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Common Mistakes During the Middle Sessions [...]...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 Copyright © 2 012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc continued ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Common Mistakes During the Middle Sessions ... being in a group ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved The Middle Stage of a Group The leader needs to always assess how much to focus on content and how much on process Copyright © 2 012 Brooks/Cole,... members, and their level of trust, interest, and commitment ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Planning and Assessment Remember, one member can very much hinder the value of a group for... of the group, if warranted ©2016 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Leadership Skills and Techniques for the Middle Sessions Using voice to get members to think Using outside materials and assignments