Before Community Psychology organised my approach to group dynamics, the lore of gritty Beatles gigs in Hamburg informed my thinking. This fab example demonstrated that perseverance in difficult conditions, with a shared passion for the work, could elevate performance above what’s possible from an individual. I have since wondered if guitar-based music is the space between the notes, or indeed the space between each artist.
I’m now wary of such convenient myths, but no less enthusiastic about the power of groups. A great joy of my career has been the facilitation of reflective practice groups, spaces I’ve held for most of the past decade within the community sector. I have seen first-hand the usefulness of these groups for practice development and team cohesion.
Reflective practice groups are the logical extension of the reflexive and reflective habits that are necessary for a skilled career. As we gain experience, it’s expected that we move from evaluating our actions in hindsight, to pivoting in real time. For example, consider a junior ensemble viewing a tape of their show compared to a seasoned campaigner improvising their performance on stage as needed.
This year has offered me an opportunity to zoom out and undertake a twelve-month exploration into the effectiveness of these groups. First, I presented a conceptual argument that they should be utilised as burnout prevention tools (https://substack.com/@shanepuxley/p-167894103). Thereafter, Trisna and I have explored the applicability of these groups for an audience of creative practitioners.
Our literature review of reflective practice groups found that:
· These groups were often experienced as a safe and connected space, which bolstered emotional coping for attendees
· Experiences of authenticity and increased empathy were common. Their slow pace allowed depths of introspection that reminded attendees why they had entered their respective fields in the first place. For example, medical practitioners reported in one study that reflective practice groups had helped them to recentre their practice on humanitarian causes
· Attendees who felt that their organisation prioritised reflective practice groups tended to benefit more from attendance
· They normalise difficult conversations, and in turn support broader organisational improvements such as cultural sensitivity
· Tangible findings linked with these groups include boosts in self-efficacy, autonomy, skill discretion, social support, tolerance of uncertainty and compassion satisfaction. Burnout scores decreased
Much of the established writing on reflective practice groups comes from research conducted in community service and healthcare settings. The scientific literature for the use of reflective practice groups in artistic populations is sparse, though several papers explore individual reflexivity and reflection. This gap in the literature was not unexpected and exemplifies why Trisna and I started looking into the relevance of reflective groups with this population. The arts are often described as a community, though perhaps the volume of research on individualised forms of reflective practice falls into the same neoliberal trap as much of our therapy-obsessed wellbeing sector.
Both healthcare practitioners and artists work in increasingly fast-paced and siloed environments, with emotional labour par for the course. Reflective practice groups offer a space for genuineness, honesty and an opportunity to hone one’s craft.
To meaningfully connect with likeminded peers often leads to a level of performance that’s unmatched when you’re solo. The only Hamburg-era Beatle who may argue with this conclusion is drummer Pete, who in 1965 released the first of the group’s 70+ solo records: ‘Best of the Beatles.’ Aside from North Norfolk Digital Radio hosts, most listeners would prefer Rubber Soul.
