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For Support Group Facilitators: What is Authentic Sharing?

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Authentic sharing is open honest sharing, in the first person using I statements, active listening, confidentiality and respect; which are all key in making the group a safe place.

The people you deal with are vulnerable and must be treated with dignity and respect. Only then can trust be established with you and with the support group.

I statements keep you out of preaching and truly present in the moment by sharing your own experience honestly. It also avoids people perceiving you as fake, insincere or know it all. When the words, “you, we, they, people” are used instead of “I”, some people in the support group will
shut down, withdraw, get angry, leave, won’t participate, speak badly about the group to others, complain generally, etc.

Active listening in the support group setting is listening attentively, making eye contact, without speaking or making verbal noises, without excessive body language. It is not repeating back everything the person has said as you might do in a business situation. That would make meetings unbearably long and prevent many people from having the opportunity to share. You may wish to paraphrase and repeat back to someone what they have said in an individual coaching situation but not in the support group meeting.

You set the example for your group on how to share and how to listen.