Communication Principle #2

In the second of a four part series called Effective Communication in the Small Group, we are discussing principles that can help the small group facilitator become more effective in assisting people to become free in opening up about their life-challenges.

The second principle is don’t probe. Encourage people to share what they want and remind them not to share past their level of comfort. If someone in the group starts to probe, say to them something like, “Let’s let Bill tell it the way he sees it” or “Why don’t we give Bill a chance to finish what he has to say?”

Communication in a group is a complex matter. Complexities rise with the number of persons involved. Communication is verbal and nonverbal, and conveys feelings, ideas, hopes, opinions, judgments, and anticipations. Good communication requires ability to listen and to enter into the experiences of others. A good communicator is able to capably express their ideas and feelings to others, but skill in communication requires practice. Often, old patterns need to be broken so that new patterns of listening and speaking can be learned.

In the next few blog posts, you will see principles of communication that can hopefully help small group leaders become more effective communicators.

Communication Principle #1: