A   C o m p r e h e n s i v e   M a n u a l

dance, yet have no one to help put up the

not doing exactly what you do is one of

posters that advertise the dance.

the surest ways to drive them away.

Helpers

Leadership Development

Helpers are those folks who are willing to

Many people do not understand the func 

take on specific tasks if they are asked.

tion of a leader.  They think that the

They may come to the office and help

leader is the out front person who makes

mail out the newsletters or spend an hour

the speeches, or meets with the adminis 

staffing a table or hanging up flyers.

tration, or talks with the press.  These are

They may even take on a larger task such

indeed leadership functions, but leaders

as setting up a lending library.

are also the ones who think about the

group or organization as a whole.  Lead 

Core Members

ers are the ones who think about develop 

Core members are those individuals who

ing other people s leadership.

take responsibility for the overall func 

tioning of the group or organization.

Have you ever been part of a group where

These are the folks who are the organiza 

there were tensions and conflict over the

tional leaders and they are the ones

issue of leadership?  Sometimes there is a

leadership vacuum and everyone is

apprehensive about taking leadership,

while at other times one person is very

Leaders are the ones who

controlling and there is a reaction against

think about developing other

leadership.  Sometimes leaders bemoan

people s leadership.

the fact that no one else is willing to do

anything; meanwhile the other group

members feel there is no space for their

whose job it is to build the group and help

involvement.  If you have experienced

others grow in their involvement.

any of these situations you are not alone.

Many groups struggle with issues of non 

A common mistake that leaders or core

existent, poor, over burdened, or ineffec 

members make is expecting or needing

tive leadership.  

everyone to be a core member just like

them.  This is an unnecessary goal; in fact

However, leadership is essential for every

it is often a destructive one.  People typi 

group.  Very simply leadership is the will 

cally take on leadership one step at a

ingness and ability to think about the

time.  It is from your passive supporters

group as a whole and to offer some direc 

that you draw your attendees.  People are

tion and influence in helping the group

not likely to help out if they have never

accomplish its goals.  Expressed another

attended one of your meetings and/or

way, leadership is a composite of learn 

events.  And it is a rare core member or

able skills through which the efforts of

group leader that didn t first start by help 

individuals are coordinated to accomplish

ing someone else out.  Recognizing and

group goals.  A good leader is someone

appreciating each person for their current

who does this well; this may or may not

level of involvement is the best way to

be the designated group leader (chair,

help them up their involvement.  Berating

coordinator, president, etc.).  However, it

people and making them feel guilty for

is useful for leaders to have a clear man 

B u i l d i n g   Y o u r   G r o u p

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