6 Ways to Lead Groups Effectively
Leading groups effectively is a challenge. For me, this .is because groups have different personalities, sizes, purposes, and life spans. (There’s a significant difference between leading a one-time church meeting that goes for forty-five minutes, a monthly team meeting that goes for two hours, and a bi-annual mission meeting that goes all day.)
If you’re wondering how to lead groups more effectively here are six suggestions:
1. Clarify your role
For example, are you a facilitator, consultant, or director? A facilitator helps the group achieve its agenda, a consultant provides expertise, and a director develops the agenda. Be sure to explain your role to the group. This will help you work effectively and avoid misunderstandings.
2. Enhance group identity
A stronger identity helps the group reach its potential. Work with the group to develop an appropriate name. Document the group’s purpose, and when the group meets, refer to the group’s purpose. Determine how group members will interact. (For example, will group members interact like a track and field team, or like a basketball team?) Establish guidelines for group behavior, like starting and ending on time, having everyone participate, and making sure everyone is clear on what they have to do next.
3. Connect
The more connections, the more likely the group will reach its potential and achieve its purpose. Connect personally with individual members by greeting them by name, sending birthday cards, and going out for coffee. Connect group members together by using small groups for prayer, discussion, and working on action plans. Connect group activities to the group’s purpose by saying things like, “Doing this neighborhood outreach event helps us achieve our purpose of evangelizing those in our community.”
4. Communicate
Good communication helps groups work effectively and avoid confusion. So, for a meeting, send out the agenda several days ahead of time and review the agenda at the start of the meeting. For organizational change, propose the change to the group, get feedback, and let the group know how you used the feedback. For tasks, email the group the list of tasks and who is responsible—and at the next meeting, have responsible parties report progress.
5. Empower group members
Help them take over your job. Ask the group to set its goals, report progress on its goals, and develop meeting agendas. Invite group members to lead sections of meetings. Get group members talking by asking open-ended questions, and by encouraging them to ask each other open-ended questions.
6. Make it fun
Adding fun energizes the group. Provide refreshments. Use ice breakers, play games, and celebrate birthdays. Tell funny stories, show videos, and use skits.
What about you?
- What is one group you lead?
- What do you like/dislike about leading groups?
- On a scale of 1–5 (5 being high), how effectively do you clarify your role, enhance group identity, connect, communicate, empower group members, and make it fun?
- How could you lead groups even more effectively?
- What will you do?
