ABSTRACT
Creative groupwork is a phrase that I use to describe the means by which a worker creates the psychological space necessary for the range of possibilities inherent in his vision of the group to emerge, and intervenes in a way which affirms members and facilitates the achievement of the group purpose. Here are some examples of what might be termed creative groupwork:
Being able to work intuitively and imaginatively when familiar or traditional approaches do not seem appropriate in a situation
Feeling comfortable working at different levels of the group experience at the same time
Being able to work with process to help individuals or the group when stuck, flat, or tense
Working effectively with feelings
Using a variety of techniques to work through difficult situations in the group
Developing the practice of right relations
Knowing when to leave a task or programme to deal with process or maintenance issues
Helping members articulate and work at their own operating principles rather than imposing a structure or vision upon them
Helping members see the consequences of their behaviour, developing options, creating choice
Encouraging the resolution of interpersonal conflict in a way which does not negate either party
If you consider this list it is clear that there are three major skills which the group worker uses to engage the group with imagination and sympathy:Use of self as a model or exemplar
Perceiving what is happening in the group and aligning with, or encouraging certain values, norms, behaviours
Providing structure and experiential work which will foster and train desirable behaviour and attitudes
157These skills are not new to us. In the last few chapters we have looked in detail at how you may use these practice behaviours or some combination of them in different situations. Now I want to consider them in relation to four activities that you are most likely to need to develop in your work with groups.