Leadership Skills
One of the first steps in gaining leadership of the group is to set appropriate group norms. Consider what behavior you want to foster within the training and then focus on guiding the group in this direction. The following group norms have been found to be helpful within an active training environment:
- Encourage participants to express themselves honestly. Let them know that the open expression of ideas, concerns, and attitudes is appreciated and will enhance the overall learning process.
- Ask that confidentiality be respected. Let participants know that you want what everyone says during a session to remain confidential.
- Urge risk taking. A training session is a unique opportunity for participants to step away from their usual roles and responsibilities and consider information from another point of view.
- Expect participation from everyone.Remind participants that if they hold back initially from participating, it becomes increasingly more difficult to join in as time goes on.
- Promote the value of performance feedback.Let participants know that they are expected to give helpful feedback to each other and that all comments, both given and received, should be considered constructive criticism.
- Require participants to sit in different spots. This way more people meet each other, the social climate of the group evens out, and cliques cannot form.
- Reassure participants that their questions are welcomed.Let them know that you expect them to ask questions whenever they are confused and to speak up when they don’t understand.
- Insist on punctuality. Let participants know that you will be able to start and end on time as long as they return promptly from breaks and lunches.
(Active Training; Silberman, Mel.)
Home Back to Academic Skills Back to Group Learning Skills Contact the site coordinator
revised 01.14.2000 14:39