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Using Strategies in Groups

Every group has its own dynamic—the chemistry of different personalities in different situations. This page outlines strategies for different groups and situations.

Leadership Strategies

Leaders respond dynamically to the situation around them. At times, leaders must act decisively. At other times, they must create a space for others to act, or they must work hand in hand with other leaders. They use these three strategies:

Directing

In many cases, leaders take charge, lay out a plan, assign duties, and keep the group moving. They enlist the help of others but set the direction and make the final decisions.

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

—Steve Jobs

 

Facilitating

At other times, leaders create a space that allows others to contribute their ideas, talents, and energies to set the direction. Facilitating creates consensus in decision making.

“I’ve got to follow them— I am their leader.”

—Alexandre Rollin

 

Collaborating

When a group has several leaders, they work hand in hand. Collaborating requires every group member to exercise leadership and to negotiate with others.

“Leaders don’t create followers; they create more leaders.”

—Tom Peters

 
 

Your Turn Think of a group you have been part of. What leadership strategies do you notice in the group? What factors in the group make these strategies work well or not work well?

 

Group Member Strategies

Group members also respond dynamically, using the following strategies:

  • Diagnosing occurs when you recognize problems and point to causes.
  • Energizing gets the group excited about the tasks at hand.
  • Focusing means pointing the group in the right direction.
  • Harmonizing reduces friction between group members.
  • Inquiring means asking critical questions to spur the group’s thinking.
  • Timekeeping means keeping the group on schedule.
  • Testing probes ideas to make sure they are realistic.

Your Turn Think about recent groups you have been part of. Which of these strategies have you used? Explain. Compare your answers with a classmate’s. What differences are there?

 
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