What do you do if your peer support group is not engaging?

1 Set clear goals and expectations

Before you start or join a peer support group, make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you expect from the group. Are you looking for advice, feedback, encouragement, or just a friendly chat? How often do you want to meet and for how long? What topics do you want to discuss and what are the ground rules for respectful communication? Having a shared vision and agreement can help you and your group members stay focused, motivated, and accountable.

3 Ask open-ended and provocative questions

One of the keys to engaging your peer support group is to ask open-ended and provocative questions that spark curiosity, debate, and reflection. Open-ended questions are those that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no, but require more explanation and elaboration. Provocative questions are those that challenge assumptions, invite alternative perspectives, or stimulate imagination. For example, you could ask: What is the most surprising thing you learned from your peers? How would you solve this problem if you had unlimited resources? What is something you disagree with or want to change about your field or industry?

4 Share stories and emotions

Another way to engage your peer support group is to share stories and emotions that illustrate your experiences, challenges, and successes. Stories and emotions are powerful tools to connect with others, build trust, and inspire action. They can also help you and your peers to learn from each other's mistakes, insights, and strategies. When you share stories and emotions, try to be honest, vulnerable, and specific. Use details, examples, and metaphors to make your stories more vivid and memorable. And don't forget to listen actively and empathically to your peers' stories and emotions as well.

5 Give and receive feedback

Feedback is an essential part of peer support, as it can help you and your peers to improve your skills, performance, and confidence. However, feedback can also be tricky, as it can trigger defensiveness, resentment, or confusion. To give and receive feedback effectively, follow these guidelines: Be constructive, not critical. Focus on the behavior, not the person. Provide specific, concrete, and actionable suggestions. Balance positive and negative feedback. Ask for permission and consent before giving feedback. Express appreciation and gratitude for feedback. Seek clarification and examples if feedback is unclear.

6 Celebrate and support each other

Finally, don't forget to celebrate and support each other in your peer support group. Celebrating and supporting each other can boost your morale, motivation, and satisfaction. It can also strengthen your bonds and create a sense of belonging and community. You can celebrate and support each other by: Acknowledging and praising each other's achievements, efforts, and progress. Offering encouragement, sympathy, and compassion when facing difficulties or setbacks. Sharing resources, tips, and opportunities that can benefit each other. Sending messages, cards, or gifts to show appreciation and care.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?