Leadership Role in Group Problem Solving

When one looks to examine what happens in any kind of discussion group, you learn that individual members often act as independent problem solvers. They can influence colleagues with external pushes and pulls or they can choose to function as a participating member of the group, who is adherent to various degrees of unity with others. If the group desires the latter function to be maximized, the concept of what Peter Senge calls a “nerve ring” must be introduced to the group. This, in my opinion, is the function of the group leader. If problem solving is to be achieved, the leader cannot be the focal point, the font of knowledge or the creator of solutions. It is more important that he or she function as a facilitator of information and communicator between all of the group members. He or she integrates the responses received so that a single unified response from the group as a whole evolves.