In terms of group risks, which approach reflects ethical leadership?

• A. An ethical leader will discuss them during the initial session with a client.
• B. An ethical leader should never discuss risks with a client.
• C. Research has demonstrated that the less said about them, the better the group will interact.
• D. An ethical leader allows the group to discover risks and work through them at their own pace.

Answer: (A)

Open, upfront discussion of potential risks is essential to ethical leadership in group work. By addressing what could go wrong early on, the leader protects participants’ autonomy and safety through informed consent. In the initial session, the facilitator can outline confidentiality limits, group norms, potential emotional or interpersonal risks, crisis procedures, and how concerns will be handled. This sets clear expectations, helps participants decide if the group is appropriate for them, and establishes a plan to manage difficulties if they arise, fostering trust and accountability within the group.

Seeing risks discussed only after the fact, or not at all, undermines safety and professional responsibility. Claiming that less discussion is better ignores established ethical standards that emphasize transparency and preparedness. Allowing people to discover risks entirely on their own places the burden on participants and can leave them unprepared to handle difficult moments.