Group Leadership Styles

OT is responsible for the planning and structuring of much of what takes place in the group

OT shares responsibility for the group and for group process with the members

OT functions as a resource to the members, who set the agenda and structure the group’s functioning

needed when the members’ cognitive, social, and verbal skills, as well as engagement, are limited

parallel and project level groups;

goal is task accomplishment

leader selects the activities to be used in the group

provide clear verbal and demonstrated instruction to complete tasks

group maintenance roles and feedback is predominately provided by the leader

when members’ skill levels and engagement are moderate (ego-centric cooperative or cooperative groups)

collaborate with group members to select activities

goal is to have members acquire skills through experience

members share instruction throughout the group’s process

group maintenance roles and feedback are provided by members with the leader facilitating the process

members’ skills and engagement are high (mature groups)

members select and complete the group’s activity with leader’s advice, if needed

goal is to have members understand and self-direct the process

group maintenance roles are independently assumed by group members

feedback occurs as a natural part of the group’s self-directed process

working with members of a clubhouse