Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Dynamics of a group
Although I’ve mentored people before, I must admit that I haven’t ever thought about it as much as I have over the last few months. I truly believe the awareness of all of the different things involved in mentoring is truly beneficial for both mentee and mentor. I feel like I’ve significantly increased my knowledge about mentoring in general as well as my awareness of all the capacities involved.
My group mentoring project has particularly enlightening. I believe I knew prior to this class that mentoring involves both parties being committed and learning but the group mentoring for me has taken on a different meaning and understanding. As discussed, the mentor definitely can learn as much as the mentee(s) but I think you have to be in a position to open up for that learning. The visual from the Tao of Mentoring book we read comes to mind, that the mentor with the full cup can’t fill it up anymore, he/she has to empty some of his/her cup in order to be open to new knowledge. I’ve tried to keep that mentality. I believe that has helped me tremendously. Instead of being particularily caught up with “directing” the group I have tried to be more like the “encourager” and direct them in a more indirect way. I have learned with a group, the dynamics are very different. Like each person is different, each group is different too. I do believe, however that groups have similarities. For example, I found that it is important when working with a group, to be an active part of the group, preferably an equal. Although, the group I’m working with I’m on a slightly different level, this can work too but there are different dynamics. When mentoring a group, getting buy in from key people or leaders within the group is critical. To me, mentoring a group is much like mentoring multiple individuals and I believe the dynamics are much trickier than they are with a single individual.
I feel like with my particular situation and group, has made me acutely aware that influencing a group and trying to get a group to do something willingly and not by force, is no small task. It requires recognizing the dynamics of the group, identifying leaders, establishing value, and getting buy-in, to name a few.
My group mentoring project has particularly enlightening. I believe I knew prior to this class that mentoring involves both parties being committed and learning but the group mentoring for me has taken on a different meaning and understanding. As discussed, the mentor definitely can learn as much as the mentee(s) but I think you have to be in a position to open up for that learning. The visual from the Tao of Mentoring book we read comes to mind, that the mentor with the full cup can’t fill it up anymore, he/she has to empty some of his/her cup in order to be open to new knowledge. I’ve tried to keep that mentality. I believe that has helped me tremendously. Instead of being particularily caught up with “directing” the group I have tried to be more like the “encourager” and direct them in a more indirect way. I have learned with a group, the dynamics are very different. Like each person is different, each group is different too. I do believe, however that groups have similarities. For example, I found that it is important when working with a group, to be an active part of the group, preferably an equal. Although, the group I’m working with I’m on a slightly different level, this can work too but there are different dynamics. When mentoring a group, getting buy in from key people or leaders within the group is critical. To me, mentoring a group is much like mentoring multiple individuals and I believe the dynamics are much trickier than they are with a single individual.
I feel like with my particular situation and group, has made me acutely aware that influencing a group and trying to get a group to do something willingly and not by force, is no small task. It requires recognizing the dynamics of the group, identifying leaders, establishing value, and getting buy-in, to name a few.
# posted by Kari Hoien @ 5:16 AM 
