Social Work - Working with small groups

Question 1
For each of the following small group leadership skills, discuss why it is important forthe leading of both treatment and task groups at every stage of a group’s development.In your critique of each skill, comment on what you think would be the most severeconsequence for neglecting it when leading groups.
(a) Expressing self (10 marks)
a. Self-expression is a crucial task in the group development process. Through self-expression, the group leader is able to convey what he thinks and feels about the goals, aims, and tasks related to the problem at hand. 
On the one hand, self-expression can be helpful in leadership for task groups as it allows the followers to be able to see the genuine side of the leader. This builds trust, which necessary for the performance of administrative and operational functions of an organization. 
On the other hand, self-expression is much more necessary for treatment groups. This is because it allows the leader and his members to fulfill their tasks including the provision of support, socialization, and education of one another. Thus, when a leader neglects this skills when leading a treatment group, the effects of the treatment itself would not be as effective. 
(b) Confronting (10 marks)
a. The ability to confront is also necessary for effective leadership of small groups. Through confrontation the leader is able to address issues or problems as early as possible which improves the speed and efficiency of goal attainment.On the one hand, confronting is necessary for leaders of task groups to be able to address organizational problems brought about by individual lapses. In fact, through confrontation, the leader can make the member (or members) aware of their lapses and guide them to improve their performance. Accordingly, a leader’s neglect of his confrontational skills would increase the risks of failures and additional costs to the organizat...