This book is a short, light-hearted guide to groupwork, providing an easily-digestible way of understanding group dynamics, the practicalities of running a group, and how to participate in one. It covers how and where to set up a group, the size of the group and the arrangement of chairs, and the importance of boundaries and rules within a group.

1. Introduction. 2. Applying this Book to your Situation. Your role in life and work groups. Groupwork and professional standards. 3. Running a Group. A note on leadership. Laying the foundations. 4. A Brief Look at Origins of Group Behaviour. My first group. When groups become large. Size of groups. Number of relationships and size of groups. 5. Setting up Groups. Purpose and contract. Number of meetings. Meeting place. Seating arrangements - type of chair. Seating arrangements - arranging the chairs. Physical and emotional space. Size of meeting place. Temperature. Fresh air. Lighting. Breaks, including refreshments. 6. Boundaries and Rules. Punctuality - at the beginning. Degree of familiarity. Commitment. Confidentiality. Interruptions. Limits in general. Smoking. Punctuality - at the end. 7. Some Ways of Looking at Group Development. Task versus maintenance. Common threads running through various theories and models. Creativity and play. 8. What Goes on in Groups. Choosing a seat. Introducing a subject. Your opening contribution. Communication and lack of it. Non-verbal communication. Opting out. Sensitivity. Honesty about feelings. The art of listening. Dominant behaviour. Fight or flight. Democracy versus autocracy. Bids for leadership. Co-leadership. Sub-groups. Pairing. Red herrings. Level of involvement. Subversive behaviour. Decision-making. Group norms. Barriers and defences. Hidden agendas. Hanging bits of ourselves on others. The transfer system! Scapegoats. The group casualty. Labelling and stereotyping. Point-scoring. Pearls of wisdom. Over-dependence. Silences. Sexuality and sex. Waiting until the last moment. 9. Endings. Giving feedback. White elephants. Disbanding. Celebrations! Appendix - Running a group checklist. Bibliography.