Leading the middle stage

1. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Leading the Middle Stage of
a Group
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

2. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
The Middle
Stage of a
Group
The most important stage of a group is the middle
or working stage because this is when the members
should be working, learning, and deriving
maximum benefits from being in a group.
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

3. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Planning and
Assessment
 The amount of planning that is needed for middle
sessions is based on the purpose, the members,
and their level of trust, interest, and commitment.
 The leader needs to always assess how much to
focus on content and how much on process.
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

4. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Screening
Out
Members
 There will be times during the middle stage of the
group that the leader will need to screen out
members.This should be done carefully and with
much thought, but should be done.
 Remember, one member can very much hinder the
value of a group for other members.
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
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rights
reserved.

5. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Dealing
with
Breach of
Confidentiality
 There will be times when a member will breach
confidentiality. Each situation has to be handled
delicately.
 Sometimes the member should be removed.
 Other times, this situation can serve as a learning
opportunity for everyone.
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

6. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Leadership
Skills and
Techniques
for the
Middle
Sessions
 Using Progress Reports
 Introducing topics for discussion
 Stimulating members’ thoughts
 Varying the format
 Changing leadership style, if warranted
 Changing the structure of the group, if warranted
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
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rights
reserved.

7. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Leadership
Skills and
Techniques
for the
Middle
Sessions
continued
 Using voice to get members to think
 Using outside materials and assignments
 Meeting with members individually
 Informing members in advance when the group is
ending
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
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rights
reserved.

8. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Middle-
Session
Outlines
 Leaders must think through the topic
Understand key issues
pertaining to a topic
Introductory exercises
Deepening rounds, dyads,
and exercises
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
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rights
reserved.

9. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Middle-
Session
Leadership
Tactics for
Specific
Groups
 Education Group
 Need to constantly shift from information to discussion
 Task Groups
 Help members generate ideas and options
 Brainstorming
 The fishbowl
 Guided fantasy
 Help members move toward resolution
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

10. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Common
Mistakes
During
the
Middle
Sessions
 Underleading
 Overleading
 Letting the warm-up phase last too
long
Remember, the majority of the time
during middle sessions should be spent in
the working phase and not the warm-up
phase.
 Letting the focus shift too often
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

11. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Common
Mistakes
During
the
Middle
Sessions
continued
 Focusing too long on one member
 Focusing on only one or two
members
 Planning only one or two activities
 Choosing uninteresting speakers
(educational groups)
 Failing to allow time to process an
activity
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.