Small Group Communication: How to Be an Effective Leader

COLLEGE STUDENTS! You have tons of group projects which consists of projects that may require to have a leader in the group. If you are less dynamic and prefer to let the politics of the small group unfold you may be suppressing your leadership skills. An effective leader will step up to the plate and help the small group get organized.

Effective leaders are not controlling! Instead of controlling those around you converse with your group to figure out strengths and weaknesses. This will later help you divide up assignments to accomplish the best outcome of the projects. Leaders must have public speaking skills, this is essential to ensure your group trusts you and believes you know what you’re talking about.

Along with public speaking, your leader must be able to swallow their pride and take the part of the project no one else wanted. This demonstrates you care about your team and are willing to take on the work load. This does not mean you must take on all the work. Instead try to divide the work as evenly as you can. Effective leaders will keep in touch with the professor and will not be afraid to ask for help.

Along with informative nature which is required, leaders must also effectively communicate. When organizing meetings use tools like "when to meet" to help figure out when everyone is available in our busy schedules.

To Be an Effective Communicator:

1. Ask questions and listen to your group members, talk less and listen more. You will learn more about your group if you let them express themselves
2. Never insult your group members. If they need to be ridiculed for any reason assess if the situation needs a professor intervention. Otherwise do not embarrass them, they will respect you more.
3. Ask open ended questions that can spark debate. You want your group members to openly argue in front of you so you can mediate and help come to a compromise. Remember it is your grade too so, maintain control over quality of work.
4. Over email or texts, be sure to include the little things like specific times that say AM or PM, explicitly set dates and places to meet.
5. When in a meeting stay on topic and analyze your group members to figure out who needs a fire under their butt and who may need less work due to personal issues such as illness, or serious injury, or family death. Don’t forget to be human, they will respect you more!

If your class requires peer evaluations take attendance during meetings to justify any grades you give as a leader. If you personally have an issue with someone that does not mean they fail or get a lower grade. As a teacher you must look at their work and initiative.

I have been the leader to many group projects and have received very high grades for almost all of them. In order to have a good grade on a presentation or a paper, the leader is essential to delegate and organize. Personally, I only give lower grades if it is absolutely needed, for the most part I give everyone an "A" because all participants respect me and will do their work and show up.

Wolves have their leaders in the back of the pack, they make sure no one gets left behind but they’re fierce. Be fierce and never let anyone get left behind!