A. One of many implications is that public officials may be dead wrong when they say that the will of the citizenry has been communicated through public meetings and speeches. A. Part of the reason public officials continue to use less effective mechanisms to set policy is partially based on our leadership processes. In general, leadership styles contrast greatly, according to the process used. In the past, entrepreneurial leadership dominated many communities. Today it is still common, but for the public it is less and less accepted.
Focus groups can be a technique to help make the transition to facilitative leadership.
Q. Let's assume we try focus groups. I'm still not clear how it works. Give me an example. A. Ask focus group members, many of whom are opposed to any more special education spending, where 8th graders will be in ten years. When starting the conversation of a focus group, a facilitator first asks a general question.