Modeling and Self-Disclosure
As a group leader, you will find modeling and self-disclosure to be important skills. These skills are also useful for getting members to share thoughts and feelings. Corey and Corey (2005) state that "one of the best ways to teach desired behaviors is by modeling those behaviors in the group" (p. 16). Your style of effective communication, your ability to listen, and your encouragement of other will serve as a model for your members to emulate. Your energy and interest in a subject or in the group itself can as a model for others. If the purpose of the group involves more personal sharing, then your self-disclosure can be used to demonstrate how to disclose and that you are willing to risk and share yourself. self-disclosure can also indicate that you are human and that you have dealt with many of the same issues in your life that members are presently exploring.