The 10 Commandments of Small Group Leadership, By Jessica Delk McCall

As a faculty member in the Department of Communication Studies, I often have the opportunity to teach a course entitled “Small Group and Team Communication”. Being able to facilitate student development and growth throughout the semester is extremely rewarding and reminds me just how difficult it is to continuously implement effective communication skills in team and group settings.

Perhaps one of the most challenging concepts to actually embrace and apply is how to identify and develop leadership skills in the group context. After many experiential activities and analysis of key theories, I ask students to analyze the leadership skills within their groups. Many students find that Kouzes and Posner’s (1995) ten commandments of leadership help them better understand what leadership really requires in the group setting.

1) Seek out challenging opportunities for growth. There are always opportunities for growth in a group. This might require the group member to focus on individual areas for improvement or to recognize ways that the entire group can become more effective.

2) Be willing to take risks and learn from mistakes. Taking risks in a group requires confidence, while the ability to learn from mistakes requires all group members to be humble. Because group interaction is so prevalent in our society, we must seek ways to improve and become more effective. By embracing our confidence and humbleness we encourage growth in ourselves and others.

3) Visualize positive future interaction. While many group members enter group contexts fearing the worst, it is critical to keep a positive attitude about the group and the group’s abilities. Even though many of us have had negative group experiences at some point in the past, visualizing positive future interaction will enable us to focus on the group’s success.

4) Seek to develop connections with others to promote shared vision. Building rapport and connecting with others is priceless. It is only by letting down their guards and seeking commonality that group members can begin to create a shared understanding of what should and can be accomplished.

5) Facilitate the development of group goals and trust. Actually discussing group goals and working to develop trust, will unify members and enhance buy-in and interdependence.

6) Empower others. Leadership is certainly not about gaining individual power, but instead, about working to empower others. By assigning tasks that recognize competence, allowing members choice, and offering support when needed, we can give all members power.

7) Exhibit behaviors that model shared values. Leadership requires us to set an example for others by striving to behave in ways that uphold group values and ideals.

8) Set and achieve short term goals to increase commitment. As a group meets short term goals, they are able to better visualize success and thus, members are more committed to not just good, but great work.

9) Reward individuals. Group members will all contribute different ideas and abilities to a group situation. It is important to recognize and reward individual offerings so that all members know they are valued and appreciated.

10) Celebrate team success. Whether this is the reciting of a group slogan or a trip out to dinner, it is critical to recognize the team’s success. Succeeding as a team is a major accomplishment and should always be recognized (as cited in Cragan, Wright, & Kasch, 2004).

Over the years, I have found that many of the strongest and most effective small groups don’t rely on one or two leaders to guide them through the semester. Instead, all members of effective small groups strive for communication behaviors that provide leadership in the task domain, procedural domain, and interpersonal domain. Kouzes and Posner’s (1995) ten commandments provide all group members with a set of leadership guidelines that are critical for a group’s success.

References:
Cragan, J.F., Wright, D.W., & Kasch, C.R. (2004). Communication in small groups: Theory, process, skills (6th ed.). United States: Thomson.

Kouzes, J. & Posner, B. (1995). The leadership challenge. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Author:
Jessica Delk McCall, Ph.D.
Jessica McCall serves as the Basic Course Director and Lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies at UNCG. Additionally, she is a Level III TeamQUESt facilitator and an advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences.