Functions of Group Leadership

Interpersonal Relations

Positive relationships may lead to better communication and wider interaction between group members. In a group composed of friends, it would be expected that communication channels would be more open and numerous. This in turn, would be expected to exert facilitative effects on problem solving because it may lead to greater interchange of viewpoints and information and to more widespread contribution to problem solutions.

And the sense of mutual support and the active cooperation created by friendly relations will enable the group to deal more confidently with its tasks and with the environment, including the leader.

In all groups, however, personal differences occur. In the give-and-take of group work, differences can occur that serve useful functions—while others can be highly destructive. One problem for the leader of a group is to identify those feelings that are destructive to unity and to cope with them in such manner that their negative effects will be dissipated.

Whether differences are concerned with genuine issues or with personal conflict, it serves no purpose to bury them or ignore their existence. A more effective approach is to try to develop a climate where differences on issues are welcomed as part of the problem solving process and where personal hostility can be recognized and dealt with as seems most appropriate.

LEADING OPERATING GROUPS

The most important single factor affecting group functioning is the character and competence of that person who serves in an actual leadership capacity. It is clear that the leader, by actions and through explicit policy, is able to either promote or limit performance of the group members and, thus, he exercise great influence upon group effectiveness

Functions of Group Leadership

A. Group work usually involves the continual exploration and reformulation of problems.

B. Involves the provision of appropriate methodological assistance needed by the group.

C. Involves the discovery and coordination of member resources.

A. Group work usually involves the continual exploration and reformulation of problems

All activities cannot be planned to the smallest detail with absolute certainty because no one can ever be sure of all the factors that may become involved as an operation proceeds.

B. Involves the provision of appropriate methodological assistance needed by the group.

The leader may suggest relevant concepts and techniques that will aid in problem solution. In addition, he must guide the group along lines that will provide a happy compromise