GROUP LEADERSHIP SKILLS Leading a group can be challenging. It is important to r
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GROUP LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Leading a group can be challenging. It is important to remember that within the group, the social worker does much more than simply guide a conversation. Skills such as attending, synthesizing thoughts, providing resources, clarifying, and resolving conflict are all used to support process and treatment. The social worker is constantly assessing individual members and the overall group and determining the level of power and influence to exert. Even concrete, organizational actions such as opening and closing a session take skill and finesse.
In this Discussion, you observe a social worker engaging with a group and evaluate their leadership skills based on those described in the course text.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
TO PREPARE
Review the Learning Resources on leadership and reflect on the leadership skills required of social workers facilitating groups.
Access the Social Work Case Studies media and navigate to the Levy Family case. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view the video. This video shows Jake Levy in a group session with fellow veterans.
While watching the video, consider the leadership skills of the social worker facilitating the veterans’ support group.
BY DAY 3
Post your evaluation of the group social worker’s leadership skills in the Levy video, using at least two items from each of the three categories found in the Toseland and Rivas chapter (facilitation of group processes, data gathering and assessment, and action). Suggest another way the social worker might have initiated the group conversation.
BY DAY 6
Respond to at least two colleagues who discussed different leadership skills. Explain the importance of building these skills and how they relate to facilitating the group process.
Use the Learning Resources to support your posts. Make sure to provide APA citations and a reference list.
Response post 1 ( to CN)
Evaluation of the group social worker’s leadership skills in the Levy video.
While working in the group setting, it is important to practice basic leadership skills including facilitation, data gathering and assessment, and action (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). The Levy video displays these leadership skills.
Facilitation
Strong communication skills and communication are necessary to facilitate the group and clarify goals within the group (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). The Levy video demonstrates facilitation when the social worker opens the conversation with clarifying that the members of the group have all served tours of active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan (Walden, 2022). By clarifying this, the social worker is able to communicate the similar situations and clarify that the group will focus on veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Additionally, the social worker utilized facilitation in the group setting when she regathered the attention of the group and redirected the attention to the goals of the group rather than allowing the conversation about alcohol to continue between the two group members that were disagreeing and not discussing the topic (Walden, 2022). The social worker in this group setting demonstrated the ability to remain in control and empathetic, while still refocusing the group after off topic conversations began. Facilitation helps to provide understanding to group members (Toseland & Rivas, 2017).
Data gathering and assessment
Data gathering is important in group because it allows the social worker to assess whether the information in group is meaningful and beneficial to the group and helps to develop a plan for communication to meet the goals established (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). During the video, the social worker asked questions regarding drinking habits, and this was an attempt to gather data within the group. Additionally, she asked the group about their feelings while adjusting back to civilian life (Walden, 2022). By gathering this data, the social worker is able to assess the group and ensure that the group goals are being addressed.
Action
Action skills allow the social worker to help the group members accomplish tasks and feel that they are accepted within the group (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). Action skills were demonstrated by the social worker when she provided Jake with the information for Alcoholics Anonymous as well as discussing couples therapy with him. The social worker validated and utilized action skills when she discussed the seriousness of excessive drinking and the risks associated with alcohol use (Walden, 2022). The social worker in the video allowed others to see that sometimes people do things to mask what they are feeling and provided an opportunity for them to see that there is support.
Group Conversation
The leader of the group could have begun the introductions by allowing everyone the opportunity to discuss something about themselves through an introduction of their background. By doing this, it could encourage more active participation between some of the group members that did not speak. I do feel that the way the social worker addressed the conflict between Bill and Jake was effective as she used it as a chance to provide validation and empathy while still redirecting the group back to the goals.
References
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Pearson.
Walden University, LLC. (2022). Social work case studies [Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu
Response post 2 (to AH)
The behaviors or activities that help the group achieve its purpose and tasks, as well as help members, achieve their personal goals, are referred to as group leadership skills. Both the group’s leader and members use combined leadership skills to complete tasks such as problem-solving. Some of the fundamental skills required for group leadership are classified into three categories: facilitating group processes, data collection and analysis, and action (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). After evaluating the group social worker’s leadership skills in the Levy video, the following is what I observed.
Facilitating Group Processes
Skills in the category of facilitating group processes contribute to positive group outcomes (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). I observed the group leader using attending skills by maintaining eye contact with the members and speaking with empathy, respect, warmth, and genuineness. These abilities will be useful in building rapport with the group. They will also foster an atmosphere of acceptance and cohesion among group members (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). I also saw her use her responding skills when she gave Bill a supportive response, saying, “That’s a good point, Bill. We sometimes do things to avoid dealing with unpleasant feelings, such as readjusting to life at home.” This ultimately led to Levy opening up to the group when he said, “My wife’s had enough of me too.” (Walden University, 2022). Responding skills, according to Toesland & Rivas (2017), can elicit specific reactions and encourage members to continue working on a concern. It would be readjusting to life at home in this group.
Data-Gathering and Assessment
Data gathering and assessment skills help to develop a plan for influencing communication patterns as well as in deciding on the action skills to use that will help the group to achieve its purpose (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). The group leader demonstrated the identifying and describing skill right away by stating where they completed their tour of duty and asking them to discuss how they are adjusting. This allows members to elaborate on relevant factors influencing their difficulties adjusting to life back at home. This led to the group engaging in discussing the difficulties they have been experiencing. Another skill I noticed her using was synthesizing when she said, “sometimes we do things to avoid dealing with unpleasant feelings, such as adjusting to life back home.” (Walden University, 2022). This was in response to Bill’s discussion of his problematic drinking. There appeared to be discord between Bill and Levy; I believe this created a link behind Levy’s actions, causing him to engage more seriously and honestly.
Action Skills
Action skills are mostly used by the group leader to help the group accomplish its tasks (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). I observed the group leader engage in action skills by supporting Jake when she told him he made a good point about it sometimes seeming easier to self-medicate rather than face the fears. She was empathetic and non-judgmental toward the members. She also linked the communication between Bill and Levy when she supported Bill’s statement which resulted in Levy engaging openly and honestly.
Another way the Group Leader Could Have Initiated the Group
Another way the group leader could have started the group would have been for each member to go around and introduce themselves to the group, as well as share a little bit about themselves if they wanted to. This, I believe, would have given the group members the opportunity to feel welcomed and involved from the start. It would have given the group leader more insight into the group as well.
Reference
Toesland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice. (8th ed.).
Pearson.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Required Readings
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Pearson.Chapter 4, “Leadership” (pp. 98–136)
Ezhumalai, S., Muralidhar, D., Dhanasekarapandian R., & Nikketha, B. S. (2018). Group interventions Links to an external site.. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 60, S514–S521. https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiat…
Required Media
Walden University, LLC. (2022). Social work case studies Links to an external site.[Interactive media]. Walden University Canvas. https://waldenu.instructure.comNavigate to the Levy Family case. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view the video.
Group Therapy
Time Estimate: 5-7 minutes
Note: The video below is interactive. Click the play button and use the buttons to navigate through the pieRes
