By Ann Porteus
People play different roles in groups. And people play multiple roles in groups. Task roles, maintenance roles and hindering roles are all important roles for facilitators to be aware of and recognize.
Task roles refer to the actions of individuals that help move the project, decision, task along.
"It seems like we are being asked to ...",
"Does it seem like a good idea to begin by...?"
"What are the likely solutions?",
"Mary, what do you think of that idea?",
"What else do we need to know before we can proceed?"
"What I think I hear you saying is ___",
"Robert, can you explain your idea a bit more,"
"Cecilia, do you see how that idea relates to what Luis said earlier?"
"Let's take a minute to look at the main themes that are arising in
"It looks like the main points being raised are ___"
"Remember that each person needs to offer a suggestion before we begin an open discussion."
"Are there any objections to using creative brainstorming to identify potential
solutions for our problem?"
"Is there agreement that...?"
Maintenance roles refer to the actions of individuals that help preserve the relationships in a group.
"That was a really good suggestion, Chris. Thanks."
"We have accomplished a lot today. Thanks."
"What can we do to get you to support this? What can we all agree on?"
"We seem to be stuck. What can we do to move the discussion along?"
"I am sensing that there is some tension in the room. does anyone
else feel it?"
"It seems like some people have withdrawn from this discussion. Is that something we need to discuss?"
"Jeff, did you want to share something?"
"Thanks for your input, Robin. I would like to know what the rest of you think."
"I guess this method may not be the best for accomplishing this task.
Shall we try Kim's idea?"
"I feel like we are stuck with two opposing views, what can we do to reach a compromise?"
"How do we want to operate as a group?"
"Seems like our ground rules have been forgotten. Should we take a few minutes and revisit them?"
"I just want to remind you of the ground rules we set up in the beginning."
Hindering roles refer to actions of individuals that hinder the group's process and progress.
"Thank you for giving us all those ideas, Erin. Let's hear from others in the group now."
"Carol, I have noticed that you haven't been as involved in the group
lately. Is everything O.K.?"
"You have a point, but we need to solve our problem, not attack each other's ideas."
"It seems like we may be forgetting the ground rules we set up as a group. Should we take a few minutes to revisit them now?" "Sandy, that is an interesting view. Could you explain how you came to those conclusions?"
"I am having trouble focusing on the discussion with the side conversations
going on. Is anyone else experiencing this?"
"It is difficult to focus on the discussion with side conversations going on. Can we agree that we will all focus on the main discussion?"
"I sense we are losing people's attention and interest, can we do a check-in to see where people are on this topic?"
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