When Leaders Are Challenged: Dealing With Involuntary Members in Groups

Abstract

Leading groups can be challenging and difficult. Leading groups in which members are involuntary and negative increases the level of difficulty and creates new dynamics in the group leading process. This article proposes specific skills and strategies for dealing with three specific issues related to involuntary members in groups: groups where all members are involuntary; groups where some members are involuntary; and groups with open membership where involuntary members join groups that are already in progress. The emphasis is on leaders using creative and multi-sensory interventions to insure that members are actively engaged in the group process.

Keywords:

• group leading
• involuntary
• negative members

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christine J. Schimmel

Christine J. Schimmel, Ed.D., is an assistant professor

Ed E. Jacobs

Ed E. Jacobs, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Counseling Psychology at West Virginia University.