Curiosities & Comments: Why Small Risks in Group Lead to Real Change
- Kenneth Pecoraro
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
One of the hardest parts of group work sometimes isn’t showing up, it’s speaking up.
Most clients don’t struggle with understanding why group matters. They struggle with the moment when it’s their turn to talk and their brain says: Don’t say too much. Don’t say the wrong thing. Don’t let them see that part.
That hesitation isn’t resistance. It’s self-protection.
The Curiosities & Comments worksheet was created to work with that instinct rather than against it. Group cohesion building activities have always been a staple of the Taking the Escalator website for this reason.
Check out the brief introductory video here:
Group Change Is Gradual But Powerful
People change when they feel safe enough.
This worksheet focuses on small, intentional risks. Not forced vulnerability. Just moments of honesty that feel slightly uncomfortable but still manageable.
Those moments matter more than they seem.
When clients speak honestly — even briefly — several things often happen:
Emotional intensity decreases once feelings are named out loud
Clients gain insight by hearing themselves think and speak
People recognize shared experiences and feel less alone
Trust builds, not only in the group, but in their own ability to tolerate discomfort
That’s not accidental. It’s how human nervous systems learn safety through connection.
Why “Curiosities and Comments” Works
The structure of this worksheet is intentionally simple.
Curiosities invite internal reflection — questions that help clients notice patterns, emotions, beliefs, and defenses without judgment. They promote self-awareness rather than self-criticism.
Comments offer something different: a chance to speak openly about real-world topics like relationships, trust, authority, regret, or change — without being asked to analyze or justify those feelings.
Together, they allow clients to choose how they engage:
Respect creates safety.
Safety creates participation.
Participation creates change.
That choice matters. Autonomy increases engagement, especially for clients who feel guarded, mandated, or unsure about group. This worksheet is designed to be a tool in the group engagement process – Enjoy!
Want to read more?
Subscribe to takingtheescalator.com to keep reading this exclusive post.