All of the above roles are positive influences on the group. Each is necessary in providing or prompting information, utilizing that information, and allowing for the free and equal flow of that information. Effective leadership in a group dynamic means ensuring that all of these roles are being met; if this is the case, little overt leadership should be required to maintain an effectively functioning group. There are also, however, several self-centered roles that disrupt the group dynamic and can lead to negative group performances and experiences.
Self-centered roles attempt to attract attention to themselves, and this away from the group task. Aggressors do this by belittling others and their issues, or blaming others for their mistakes; calm confrontation is often the only way to make aggressors aware of their behavior and its damages. Jokers...
The difference between lightening the group's tone and disrupting it need to be explained to these characters. Other disruptors simply withdraw from the group, refusing to participate or simply not showing up when their goals are not being met; such individuals may need to simply be removed from the group. then there are blockers, who simply refuse to agree to group decisions and stubbornly insist on their own methods even when unanimously outvoted. Such individuals' rights to disagree must be respected, but it cannot be allowed to damage group function.
Effective leadership in a group means dealing with conflict directly and calmly. With the proper members in a group, however, such leadership skills would hardly ever be necessary.
