Group Roles Leadership and Member

Group Roles

Leadership and Member Roles in Groups: An Overview

Effective group functioning depends upon the fulfillment of various roles within the group, and on the leadership principles utilized within the group. Several key roles played by members of the group that lead to effective group functioning have been identified; these roles are filled both by leadership and other group members when a group is truly functioning effectively. The instigator role initiates action, or conversation in the context of a meeting. Information and opinion providers give content and context to the discussion or project at hand, often at the behest of information and opinion seekers, who raise questions and pursue avenues of uncertainty, thus helping the group arrive at a better understanding of the situation at hand. Analyzer and orienter roles are also essential for interpreting the information thus obtained and putting it to proper and effective use, as well as maintaining a singularity of purpose amongst the disparate group members. All of these member roles are essential to group function.

While the above roles are necessary for the specific knowledge-sharing and application functions of a group, other roles are also needed. Maintenance roles ensure a healthy group dynamic and cohesion, with an effective level of conflict to ensure progression. Gatekeepers monitor the discussion and make sure that all voices have a say, and that ideas and information sharing in the group aren't dominated by a few individuals. Encouragers provide support to other group members through validating and re-emphasizing their ideas, sometimes placing them in new contexts. The harmonizing role works to relieve tension in the group, stemming unnecessary conflicts before they escalate into problems that might affect group cohesion. With proper maintenance roles, the primary focus of the group will be more efficiently achieved.

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.