How To Effectively Lead Working Groups

By Natasha Leitao
[Getting it Done]
Coaxing Consensus

Especially in situations such as focus groups or working committees where reaching consensus is so imperative to achieving goals, it can be a difficult thing to obtain.  Usually a friendly reminder to avoid dawdling at the beginning of the session can help move the group forward, but if you still discover the group to de-rail at times, it is wise to use tactics such as timing each activity and informing the group when the time is up.  Failing that, it works to be slightly more assertive in asking the group to either return to the issue later or make a decision and continue.   

Down Alpha-Dog, Down

It’s inevitable that in every group, a participant will exist who likes to rock the boat and tries to take control over decision-making.  If it’s a boat rocker who enjoys making you miserable with pointless questioning, all you can really do is attempt to answer their questions to the best of your ability, then steer the focus elsewhere.  If worse comes to worst and they’re impeding others, you can diplomatically point out that they’re being inappropriate.  In many instances, alpha-dogs are usually brought down and tamed by others in the group.    

If you are fortunate enough to decide seating arrangements, placing the troublemaker as far away from you and the rest of the group as possible is a prudent strategy to employ.  It may seem a tad extreme, but salience rules; that is, the closer a person is to the facilitator, the more likely that individual is to feel more comfortable in playing 'bug the leader'.

Quiet Down?

On the other side of the swinging pendulum is the withdrawn participant.  This is the one who is noticeably quieter than the rest, does not engage in discussions with the group, refrains from providing input or, in a didactic environment, perhaps sits at the very back of the classroom.  There are a multitude of reasons for the non-participative individual.  It could be a recent difficult event in his or her life.  Or perhaps they feel overwhelmed by the more vocal participants in the group and feel less experienced.  Or it could just be that they have a shy personality by nature.  

To deal with this situation, you don’t want the person to feel that you are singling them out; they may withdraw even more.  However, it is usually a good idea to ask them if they are feeling all right or have any questions.  They may then provide you with more information.  If not, asking for his or her ideas and input during the meeting may help to ensure that everyone has a voice.  If the behaviour continues though, and you’ve done your best to try and assess, there may not be much else you can do.  

_____________________
take the lead

Working with groups, be it in an interactive or more didactic learning environment, is a truly amazing experience.  It allows you the opportunity to determine different perspectives on various topics and, although you may be educating a particular group on a specific area, you are concurrently challenged.  There’s always plenty of room to grow as a proficient leader, so live and learn.
BACK
Hot Searches