Group Stages

Group Stages

Question One

The process for forming a group is composed of seven stages. Miller (2018) highlights the steps as follows; developing a group’s rationale, deciding on a theoretical format, publicizing the group, selecting group members, weighting practical considerations, pre-training/screening, and selecting a group leader. The existing research reveals that the stage for choosing a leader is the most crucial in forming a group. Overly, the process requires members to sieve through qualifications of various potential members, especially on the professional and personal qualities (Caple, 2017). Voluntarily, the group leader can provide more background information, including education and experience during group counseling (Caple, 2017).  While choosing a leader, the members should put more emphasis on those who portray support, genuine interest as well as warmth to the entire group members. Notably, the members should have a clear view that positive leadership styles contribute significantly to taking the group to the next level. Also, the leader to be must be a relationship-oriented as opposed to task-centered for them to generate compatible ideas (Miller, 2018). As a result, it is always vital for members to take into consideration the above-illustrated highlights to have a professional leader.  

Question Two

The process of coming up with a manageable group is a complex undertaking that demands the leader to pass the idea through various stages. The stages to be discussed in this paper include apprehension, specifying group rules, and of course, enhancing a positive interchange among the participants. Miller (2018) refers to apprehension as a state of having anxiety, a situation that can impact the group performance adversely if not effectively managed. However, there is an acceptable degree of apprehension that aid members in focusing on their experience, hence aiding in executing duties as required (Miller, 2018). Importantly, a group leader should have the capacity to handle misunderstanding due to anxiety. Establishing group rules is yet another vital stage that aids the leader in enhancing balance and cohesion among the group members (Miller, 2018). Notably, the formulated group rules must have logical aspects and uphold the provisions of confidentiality. The last stage aids in imparting a positive interchange among the participants, thereby enhancing the open sharing of ideas (Miller, 2018). The group leader should always have the motive for maintaining a positive tone for members to stay engaged in the group’s operations consistently.

Question Three

The presence of resisters amid members is among the most significant problem a group may encounter. Caple (2017) instigates group leaders always to keep a close eye to such characters because they tend to be frustrated and angry while working in a group. Resisters cannot participate or cooperate with other members, thereby becoming a hindrance to the efficient functioning of the group (Miller, 2018). As a consequence, a professional leader employs a tactical approach to deal with incidents, for instance, inviting them to participate devoid of insisting. Again, a leader manages resistors by confronting them to interpret the current issue.

The procedural issue to be illustrated is involvement.  Involvement is basically the participation of members on the task presented by the leader in addition to investing themselves in the group in the long run. Commitment comes in after the leader has allocated each member the specific roles, based on their interests and competencies (Miller, 2018). Importantly, the leader is mandated to uplift the group’s processes following a setback in addition to integrating involvement into the group’s activities (Caple, 2017). Furthermore, engagement can be initiated through the provision of educative materials to enhance participation and discussion.

Question Four

In the recent past, I have interacted with a considerable number of individuals, and most of them refer to me as an honest and direct person while giving out advice. Unexpectedly, I got a clear view of my hided personalities since I have been keeping a low profile amid friends. I realized my unknown character after a friend, though not so close, came to seek advice from me regarding the best outfit. She asked me to choose between a dress and trousers, and I honestly instructed her to consider putting on unfitting dresses on most occasions. Based on Lufi’s Johari window technique, I came to realize that I tend not to get involved in voluntary activities, to the extreme of taking no notice of people’s requests to help. However, I sometimes, though rarely, tent to volunteer wholeheartedly when need be.

References

Miller, D. L. (2018). “The stages of group development: A retrospective study of dynamic

team processes.” Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences/Revue Canadienne des Sciences de l’Administration 20.2: 121-134.

Caple, R. B. (2017). The Sequential Stages of Group Development. Small Group Behavior, 9(4), 470-76.