HOW TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY IN GROUP BEHAVIOUR DYNAMICS?

Have you ever wondered why our behaviour changes when we are Interacting in Group Dynamics or Social Structures or in the company of unknown people? Increased discomfort, anxiety, fear, shyness, etc are some of the negative emotional reactions that come to surface when we enter into group dynamics.

This behaviour is primarily triggered or impacted by the proximity in the relationship as well as the number of people in such dynamics. More the proximity, less the number, more is the level of comfort and (self) confidence in expressing ourselves whereas the less is the proximity and more are the numbers, less is the level of comfort and confidence in our expression. We call this Group Dynamic Behaviour or Social Interaction Dynamic.

Do you know that more than 75% of people have fear of public speaking which is part of this bigger problem called “Group Dynamics”? It is also referred to as Glossophobia or Stage Fear. Having fear & anxiety about meeting new people or having conversations with unknown people is part of social anxiety disorder. It could get triggered in answering a question in class, or in talking to a cashier at a store or giving a job interview.

Can you imagine how this phobia can impact our lives in a negative way?

Social anxiety is a fast-growing phenomenon that is thought to disproportionately affect young people. A recent study with sample data from 7 countries revealed that 36% of people were affected by a social anxiety disorder in the age group of 16-29 years.

I am sure most of us have experienced this in some way or the other. In our early childhood, when our parents or grandparents wanted us to sing a nursery rhyme, or recite a poem, or even say ABCD when some guests would come over to our home. Our body would freeze and we fail to give our best because we were put in the spotlight. Even though they only did it out of the pride they felt about us, it was a source of discomfort to our emotions.

While there could be many factors that lie underneath this behaviour, in this write up we will discuss the top three reasons that is responsible for not living up to our full potential in social dynamics:-

MEMORIES – These are the episodes, incidents, and situations recorded in our conscious, subconscious and unconscious memories over a long course of time. They impact our whole life significantly both in the negative as well as in a positive way. Across the world, leading psychologists resort to the techniques of going deep in the memories of a person including early childhood memories to treat their clients. Memories impact our behaviours/responses to a given situation, people or things. We may have grown up leaving such incidents behind but somewhere in our subconscious, these memories drive our behaviours, fears, prejudices and decision making. By consciously working to go deeper in these layers we can work on our negative emotional state of consciousness and overcome any challenges.
SELF-ESTEEM – What is it that we think and feel about ourselves? What is our self-worth? Is it Positive or Negative? Self Esteem is all about how we see ourselves in various life scenarios. It could be physical, intellectual, or Emotional. A good Self Esteem goes a long way in improving our response to the group Dynamics or social behaviours or working in groups. Public Speaking or being in large numbers of people is a lot to do with positive self-esteem. People with low self-esteem shy or avoid social situations or group formation or become emotionally dependent.
FEAR OF JUDGEMENT – “DUNIYA KA SABSE BADA ROG KYA KAHENGE LOG”. This saying is more appropriate in the context of group Dynamic behaviours as most people don’t work to their optimum capabilities as they think of others first instead of focusing on their performance. What people will talk about me? Most people with a low behavioural status index are affected by the fear of being judged. And, it starts with self, because more often than not, we judge ourselves and others.

And as we grow, we keep adding layers of this disbelief that we are not good enough. And these memories we live all our life by avoiding being judged or laughed at. And this becomes a big hindrance in group dynamics.

The result is that many people don’t perform in life to their full potential. In fact, studies have shown that the more a person feels uncomfortable in a group, the higher the chances that he will have difficulty making decisions and taking up leadership roles.

CONCLUSION

In the end, I feel that we all can evaluate, study in-depth and find the root cause of our shyness or avoidance or not being able to be our best in social dynamics and resolve our inner conflicts and start operating at our full potential. Group Dynamics creates myriads of possibilities for our success, growth and evolution in all aspects of life.

I wish you a great discovery of your inner dynamic of a leader, a social change agent and overcoming all your Negative Emotional Behaviours. May you Live a happy, Joyful and meaningful life.