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Wk8Discussion-TakingStockofWhatYouLearned.docxWk 8 Discussion - Taking Stock of What You Learned
Respond to 3 substantive responses in a minimum of 175 words:
Throughout the class you’ve been exposed to various theoretical and practical aspects of group work. As a means of summing up what you have learned in the class, answer the following questions:
How has your understanding of effective leadership changed over the course of this class?
What ethical issues might you encounter when leading groups? How will you address them?
How will your understanding of the stages of group development help you to conceptualize and lead a group in the future?
How will your understanding of group process help you to conceptualize and lead groups?
Cite one source according to APA standards.
A.M.
How has your understanding of effective leadership changed over the course of this class?
Over the past seven weeks, I have learned a lot about the understanding of effective leadership. Each week taught me the difference between group content and group process. I am continuing to learn but my understanding is now clearer about learning to strike a balance between having an assertive leadership role with creating a safe, and welcoming environment for all group members. Group leaders are effective when having a clear, compassionate since of communication and who uses active listening skills to interpret the needs and feelings of the clients in the group.
What ethical issues might you encounter when leading groups? How will you address them?
Some of the ethical issues treated in a group counseling session include the screening and orientation of group members; the rights of group members, including informed consent and confidentiality. Some of the more common ethical issues in a group session could be having unethical group leaders that have personal issues with another group member, cultural, discrimination or harassment. A major ethical issue or concern is Do not harm, and confidentiality with having the respect of privacy for all members in the group. Addressing these ethical issues early on at the beginning of the first meeting or intake process with explaining to them about the informed consent, confidentiality, and the privacy act. It is important for them to know what is expected in their treatment.
How will your understanding of the stages of group development help you to conceptualize and lead a group in the future?
These stages start from the time that a group first meets with each other until the group treatment has ended. I have learned the understanding for each stage of development which I am currently using in my professional workplace. Understanding each step and stage is explainable as to the growth of the group. With my understanding, it will make it much easier for me to lead a group with the changes that happen to the group members. In setting up such groups and in conducting other groups, especially those that go through stages, creativity is often called for (Gladding, 2010).
How will your understanding of group process help you to conceptualize and lead groups?
I have always observed body language as that was one of my trainings in my agency. However, group process is interesting to see how members react or act with nonverbal language as I observed my group class members for the past six weeks with watching, and learning about what things mean by using with eyes, hands, arms, and posture.
Reference:
Gladding, S. T. (2010). Creativity and spontaneity in groups. In R. K. Conyne (Ed.). The Oxford handbook of group counseling (pp. 383–396). Oxford University Press.
H.G.
My understanding of effective leadership has changed significantly over the course of this class. Originally, effective leadership qualities would entail confidence, direction, education, empowerment, listening skills and growing community and sense of self and group work. After going through the group mock trials, as well as educating myself through discussion and the course textbook, I have learned and understood that there are other contributing factors that make up a competent and effective leader. For example, Lieberman, Yalom, & Miles (1973) have proposed four core mechanisms of group leadership which are caring, meaning attribution, executive functioning, and emotional stimulation, respectively (Luke, 2014). These four abilities of leaders roles are proposed as traits that lead to being an effective leader and can be applicable to almost any group. Caring can refer to the leaders ability to show empathy towards the individual or individuals within the group, and can be an umbrella term for things like attending behaviors and how the leader shows that they are caring for them. Meaning attribution refers to how the leader is able to make meaning towards the content and process of the groups and it's individual counter parts. It is understanding how a person thinks and how they see the perspective (I believe I need clarification on this trait). Executive functioning refers to the leaders cognitive abilities that is needed for the cognitive control of behavior: selecting and successfully monitoring behaviors that facilitate the attainment of chosen goals (Luke, 2014). Lastly, emotional stimulation is how effectively does the leader evoke, provoke and connect the group. I feel strongly that these components are necessary requirements for a leader to effectively facilitate and conduct a group. These core mechanisms have truly enlightened me about these different variables that can bring a group together, as well as separate a group. We as humans naturally want to make meaning out of scenarios, as well as we have the strong desire to connect and be a part of a group. If a leader does not have the ability to connect these dots, I feel that it can leave the group questioning the purpose of their efforts.
In regards to ethical issues, I find them very similar to individual counseling and individual therapeutic work. I plan on referencing the APA Code of Ethics and communicating with my mentors should I ever find myself questioning my abilities or how to facilitate a scenario. I do believe that if the group is having a conflict, that it is appropriate to address the conflict as a whole, rather than pulling aside an individual person. This shows that the unit as a whole is moving through the stages of group development and working as a unit, rather than independent moving parts. My education around the five stages of group development has also educated me on the meaning behind these stages and that it is not always linear and perhaps, some groups may never make it through all the stages or they may hop around. The five stages include forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning (Tuckman & Jensen, 1977). Now I am educated on the stages and the natural ebbs and flows of these stages. I now view conflict as a "necessary evil" so to speak and that conflict can actually help both the group and individual understand and grow. This course has been extremely beneficial and helpful in understanding how to both be an active participant and leader within the group counseling setting. Thank you professor and students for all of your help thus far!
Reference:
Luke, M. (2014). Effective group leader skills. In J. L. DeLucia-Waack, C. R. Kalodner, & M. T. Riva (Eds.), Handbook of group counseling and psychotherapy (p. 107–119). Sage Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.419898342.n98
