Leadership And Group Dynamics In Recreation Services

"Group Dynamics in Recreation and Leisure: Creating Conscious Groups Through an Experiential Approach builds skills not only in working in group settings but also in creating and facilitating conscious groups - groups that recognize the personal growth of their members as a main objective." "The book introduces group dynamics theory and current research as it applies to recreation and leisure settings and moves beyond the theory to show students that their understanding of group dynamics can be a meaningful and realistic tool. They'll learn to apply the theory to the practical factors and issues involved in leading and working with conscious groups, including goal setting, decision making and problem solving, ethics and morals, positive communication, and the effects of conflict, power, gender, and environment on group functioning."--BOOK JACKET.

Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Services presents cutting-edge guidance and helps students apply their newfound knowledge as they prepare to enter the rapidly changing leisure services field. This text presents fresh insights on leadership from the most prominent voices in the field today. The contributors present a comprehensive look at modern leadership, identify the challenges future leaders will face, and reveal how future leaders can best prepare to meet those challenges. Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Services provides • a detailed look at the collaborative approach to leadership in leisure services that represents a new direction in the field; • insight into classical leadership as well as innovative and modern leadership theory and best practices; and • an understanding of the roles and functions students will fulfill as they enter the profession. The material, designed for undergraduate recreation and leisure services leadership courses, is presented in three parts. Part I explores personal leadership issues, including communication skills, negotiation strategies, and leadership styles. Part II delves into professional leadership, examining topics such as group dynamics, supervision practices, and team leadership. Part III explores organizational leadership, including internal and external leadership and professional development. The authors present new theories of leadership from research in the field of recreation and leisure. Several learning aids—including chapter-opening scenarios, key terms, glossary, references, and chapter-ending questions for reflection and discussion—appear throughout the text. In addition, each chapter features a Leisure Leaders sidebar that profiles a leader in the field who addresses preparation for the job, a peek at day-to-day work, and advice for aspiring leaders. And a Best Practices sidebar showcases an organization whose innovative leadership has led to positive organizational outcomes. Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Services helps students understand the range of leadership skills they need to develop for successful careers.

This excellent text provides the reader with a clear and thorough understanding of direct, hands-on leadership by effectively integrating theory with practice. Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Service Organizations assists individuals in understanding the importance of leadership in this field. Topics covered include contemporary theoretical and practical information, organized in a format that allows for the comprehension of the elements necessary for effective leadership in recreation and leisure service organizations.

This text includes the latest theoretical developments in recreational service. Continued experimentation in the field of neuroscience has produced a great deal of rethinking about personal traits and leadership potential, in turn providing a detailed explanation of the processes and techniques of leaderhsip as it applies to the field of recerational service. The author deals with the functional aspects of leadership by providing numerous examples of how theory has been and should be applied in practical situations.

"Leadership is a process and an experience that impacts all of us in our roles as leaders and as followers. Generally, it is a positive opportunity that enables us to learn about ourselves and others. We know leaders are good people who make a difference in the lives of others. What we often don't fully understand is how leaders make that positive impact -- That is part of the allure of leadership. This text presents leadership as a personal journey that takes conscious effort to undertake and develop. Leadership is one of the keystones of successful parks, recreation, and leisure services agencies, organizations, and programs. How we deal with people, how we interact with fellow staff, supervisors, participants, and the general public all make an incredible statement about who we are and what our profession is about. This book is designed to help students of leadership begin (or renew) their personal journey toward leadership. Section I -- The Foundation: Developing the Underlying Construct provides information to serve as a framework around which the other two sections are built. This section offers background material such as definitions, theories, and material about human development -- the bedrock upon which all other elements of leadership are built. Section II -- Working with People: The Essential Skills of Leadership provides developing leaders with information about the interpersonal side of leadership. Many argue that leadership is all about interpersonal components; after all, a leader interacts with others through everything she or he does. Here students will begin to consider issues surrounding communication, motivation, behavior management, and group dynamics -- heavily interrelated areas that have a large impact on successful leadership. Section III -- Synergy: Pulling it All Together brings together the foundational material from Section I, blends it with the interpersonal information in Section II, and challenges the reader to think about the application and practice of leadership as it relates to diversity, leader values and ethics, risk management, and professional and social issues in parks and recreation. Leadership is best developed and refined through experience. Thus, during the learning process presented in this text, readers are encouraged to seek out as many opportunities for leadership practice as possible, including public communication skills, conflict resolution skills, and motivation skills; to expose themselves to issues and experiences outside of their comfort zone and stretch themselves; to increase their self-awareness; and as much as possible, to practice, reflect on experiences, seek out feedback, and practice some more. Leadership is a never-ending journey." -- Publisher.