Running head: REFLECTION PAPER
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Reflection Paper
Toni Q. Hutchinson
Liberty University
When I was in the US Army, I was promoted to the rank of Non-commissioned Officer
(NCO), which is a first-line leadership position. As a NCO, you are put in charged of a squad of
junior soldiers, to include their welfare and overall development. Leading soldiers and leading
groups may appear to be two different worlds. However leadership skills can be transferred to
different settings and environments, and one thing I learned in the Army is that being a leader
can be lonely. Leaders must lead by example, be flexible, build cohesion in the group and have
the intestinal fortitude to make the hard decisions that can impact the people lives in their charge.
After reviewing the DVD, Groups in actions: Evolution and challenges (Corey, et. al., 2014),
offer critical skills on new leadership techniques, while also teaching me to fully utilize the skills
I already possess. In addition, these segments afforded me the opportunity to look at leadership
from different perspectives, and with fresh eyes and ears. Furthermore, the first program was
very interested and I could relate to many of the things some of the group members express. The
second program did not have the same impact on me as the program one, and the primary reason
is my personality is such where I deplored conflict. I know conflict is a natural attributes of
human nature and groups, and as a leader, I must be prepared to handle conflict in a healthy
manner. It is important that group leader monitor participants interactions and reactions during
group conflict, and intervene when necessary.
In first program, I found several parallel between myself and all of the group members, as all
of them expressed experiences that has touch my live indirectly or directly. How, I could identify
with James the most for different reasons. Both James and I are people of colored, and are
members of a historically oppressed group. James identifies as an educated Chicano who feels he
has to constantly proves to others that he belongs, and he often feels oppressed in many
situations. I am a African-American male from a small Southern town in Alabama that has an
extensive history of oppressing black people; and listening to James invoked feelings of mix-
emotion. Like James, I too identify as an educated black man, and even at 55 years old, I still
feel like I have to prove myself that I am smart enough to do my job especially, when working
with predominantly white clients.
In the video, James alluded to his culture conditioning men’s that it is a sign of weakness to
cry, and he should internalize his feelings. I was miseducated the same way on what true
manhood is, and for years I was indoctrinated with a toxic masculinity perspective. I thought
James did a great job of telling his truth, also, Jerry, and Marianne did a good job validating his
feelings. In these moments James was demonstrating that he is willing to work within the group.
James also had an issues of trust when interacting with others
Furthermore, nn other emotions that this video invoked in me is there is an internal struggle to
successfully survive in two worlds (black world and white world). For example, I was home a for
a funeral recently, and many of my black friends back home would tell me I act white, and talk
white because I don’t talk or act like them anymore. It used to make me angry, but now I just
pray for them, and ask God to give me guidance on how to love them in spite of. Black men’s
has to bear the burdens for all other black men’s for better or worse, because historically, the
dominant culture view us all the same; educated or not. In the video, James in my opinion, did
not appear to be angry, but he did feel marginalized as he felt as if he did not belong.
Additionally, it really touch me when he talked about learning the process that it is not a sign of
weakness for men’s to cry. James appears to crying out that he is man and just want to be treated
with respect and dignity regardless of his cultural background.
In examining the experiences of the group, I have a common understanding of how I can
relate to each members of the group regardless of race, gender or culture, as well as the skills and
techniques needed to empower each member to become engaged in the group process.
Additionally, Jerry and Marianne, did an excellent job in demonstrating the skills and techniques
necessary to foster group cohesion, and to evolve the group. For example, Jerry and Marianne set
the tone of the group by checking-in with each participant, and ensuring that he group would be
a safe space for all. The leaders of the group demonstrated various skills and techniques such as
active listening, facilitating, questoning, supporting, empathizing and evaluating among many
others skills. I particularly think that the Dyad Exercise and Role Playing is very useful, and I
plan on putting them in my tool-box. As the group progress, each group members appear to
become more comfortable as evidenced by all of them sharing their feelings and speaking their
truth.
In the beginning stage of the group, Jerry and Marianne laid out the blueprint for the group,
and norms that will help govern the growth of the group. When I was viewing the videos, I
reflected on how Jerry and Marianne was not only indirectly empowering the participants, but
also putting some of the burden of the group success on its members. The leaders of the group
also enhance the therapeutic aspect of the group asking questions such as “Is there someone here
you can relate to?” to deepen the focus. This concept not only help the group members to
recognize that in spite of that race, cultural, gender or educations level, they are not alone in their
struggles. The reality of it all, their individual struggles was the ties that binds, as from my
observation, each members wanted to be love, respected, and accepted for who they are. This
concept therapeutically enhance group cohesion, and individual and group growth.
In closing, it goes without saying we have a variety of skills and techniques to use as group
leaders in our profession. However, the most valuable skill and techniques to use is God and his
word. There are numerous biblical teaching throughout the bible, especially from a servant hood
perspective. In all my endeavors as a human service professional, when working with clients, I
always go to God and his word for guidance. I was advised by my mentor many years ago that
the individuals we come into contact may be our client, but they are God’s children. I have never
forgot that. As leaders entrusted with assisting God’s children, we must hold ourselves to a
higher standard. Though we are all crack vessel, I make every effort to demonstrate and live by
the attributes of The Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians (5: 22-23, NIV), teaches me that love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, self-control is the best way to live.
Reference
Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Haynes, R. (2014). Group in actions: Evolution and challenges
(2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
