L G B T   C a m p u s   O r g a n i z i n g

date in order to exercise leadership, to

Task Functions/Roles

take initiative, and to make decisions.

M 

Preparing an agenda;

Many groups are realizing that having "a

leader" doesn t work well for them.

M

Recommending goals or objectives;

Everyone else may withdraw and expect

"the leader" to do it all.  There is too

M

Framing key questions or defining

much pressure and responsibility for one

problems;

person to handle so leaders get burned 

out.  What is the alternative to one bur 

M  

Problem solving and offering solu 

dened leader or no leadership?  Shared

tions;

leadership or group centered leadership

are useful leadership models.  According

M  

Providing and clarifying information;

to these models, leadership is seen as a

set of functions or roles that can be ful 

M  

Moving the group to act or make

filled by anyone in the group (the more

decisions;

the merrier) rather than a personality trait

of one individual.  These functions can

M  

Keeping track of decisions and infor 

also be rotated over time.  

mation;

In general there are two major types of

M  

Offering opinions and asking for oth 

functions or roles which must be fulfilled

ers  opinions;

in order for a group to function well.

These are task and maintenance func 

M  

Summarizing and offering conclu 

tions/roles.  The task functions relate to

sions;

the content of your group s work, while

the maintenance functions relate to the

M  

Elaborating by giving examples or

process of your group s work.  Task lead 

explaining; and

ership is the kind of leadership that gets

tasks accomplished.  Maintenance leader 

M

Asking questions to gain relevant

ship is the kind that attends to the emo 

information.

tional well being of the individual mem 

bers and the group as a whole.  Task lead 

Maintenance Functions/Roles

ership can get things done, but may alien 

ate people in the process.  Both func 

M

Welcoming and introducing people;

tions/roles are essential for every group

and must be in balance.

M

Actively listening to others' ideas,

paraphrasing other speakers;

The ability to perform both task and

maintenance functions is not hereditary;

M

Making sure discussions are inclu 

it is learned.  A good leader can assume

sive;

many of these functions, and most impor 

tantly, can tell which function is neces 

M

Facilitating communication by

sary in each situation.

encouraging quiet or shy people to

speak up or making process sugges 

tions;

3 6

M

B u i l d i n g   A   H e a l t h y   O r g a n i z a t i o n