Leadership Skills

(Harvill, R., Masson, R. & Jacobs, E. (1983). Systemic group leader training: A skills approach. Journalists for Specialists in Group Work, 8, 226-232.)

 

CUTTING OFF:

 

                “Cutting-off is a skill used by the group leader to stop members when they continue to speak at a boring rate or to help members be more concise and to the point. The group leader trainee’s goal is to learn to halt the counterproductive group member’s behavior without attacking the member’s personal worth.”

 

                Masson and Jacobs (1980) stated: “Cutting-off skills sometimes require that you verbally intercept a member’s flow of words in a nonpunitive way, explain what you are doing and why, and take some action that will further the purpose of the group” (Cited in Harvill et al, 1983, p. 227.)

 

Example:                Let me stop you here for a minute. The reason that I’m jumping in here is

                                that I think you are requesting help with this matter but your message is

                                getting lost in your words and repeats. In a short phrase, tell the group how

you would like to be helped (p. 228).

 

Other options include:

                               

                                Hold that thought for a moment; we may come back to it.

                                Let me jump in here.

                                Let me interrupt before you continue.

                                I’d like to stop you at this point.

 

DRAWING OUT:

 

                “This is a skill whereby the leader evokes the verbalizations from one or more of the group members. Sometimes there will be shy or quiet members who will only speak if  recognized or gently prompted to add to the discussion at hand. In addition, helping first-time members feel comfortable in the midst of strange surroundings can cause them to open up to others.” (p. 228).

 

Example:                I’ve noticed that you have been silent for the most part. I’m not sure if any of

this relates to you, but please feel free to comment at any point that you like (p. 228).

 

Other options include:

               

                                Would you feel comfortable talking about this?

                                You seemed to be reacting a moment ago. Will you share your reactions?

                                If you have anything to add to the group, please feel free to do so.

 

HOLDING THE FOCUS:

 

                “This is a skill whereby the leader purposely causes the members to focus their attention and conversation on a specific topic or person. There are usually instances during any kind of group in which there is a lack of continuity and the flow of conversation becomes piecemeal. When this happens, little can be accomplished either in completing a task or helping a particular member.”        (p. 229).

 

Example:                Hold on everyone. Jill seemed to be in pain over the news of her father. We skipped

over her comments and reactions. I would like to go back to her an see if we can be of

some help. Jill, what can we do to be of help to you? (p. 229).

 

 

Other options include:

 

                                Let’s stay with that for a while longer.

I would like to concentrate on this for the next few minutes.

                                Stay with that.

                                What do the rest of you think about this same issue?

                                Have others of you experienced these same things.

 

SHIFTING THE FOCUS:

 

                “This is a skill used by a leader to move to a different topic or person. This skill might be used when (a) members are ‘beating a dead horse,’ (b) group energy becomes low, and (c) members have finished working on heavy emotional issues.” (p. 229).

 

Example:                Let’s shift the focus for minute. The reason that I’m doing this is that we have spent

quite a bit of time on this issue, and it may have lost some interest (p. 229).

 

Other options include:

 

                                Let’s move on to new areas of discussion.

                                We seem to be getting bogged down with this issue. Let’s move on.

 

TYING THINGS TOGETHER (Linking):

 

                “This is a skill whereby the leader connects members in terms of their similarities. Similar phrases, feeling, thoughts and experiences may be pointed out to produce a sense of “we-ness” and cohesiveness among individuals in the group.” (p. 230).

 

Example:                Dan, it seems that you and Betty have experienced many of the same things in being

stepparents, especially disappointments over the resentments the kids exhibit toward

you (p. 230).

 

Other linking responses include:

 

                                There seems to be a consensus among all of you in the group.

                                The two of you have had similar experiences.

                                You are saying the same thing he or she is.

 

Other skills important to group work include:

 

                                Clarifying

                                Questioning

                                Confronting

                                Summarizing

                                Restating

                                Interpreting

 

 

 

Diana Hulse-Killacky, 2000