 The source for guidance on the roles, qualities,
and practice of leadership in NA comes from our
Steps, Traditions, and Concepts.
Any discussion of leadership must start here and
the foundation for success of any leader in NA
must start with an understanding of our Steps,
Traditions, and Concepts.
WHAT ARE SOME LEADERSHIP QUALITIES?
Group
Group
Group
Area
Group
Area
Region
What are some of our responsibilities as leaders in the
service structure?
Group:
* Carries the message of recovery directly to the suffering addict
Area:
* Administers the services of a local NA community
Region:
* Pools the experience and resources of areas and groups to address
service issues.
World Services:
* Unifies and ensures the common welfare of NA worldwide
 Some general ideas of important information to carry
forward to other levels of the NA service structure:
 Meeting information: time, day, and place.
 Issues of concern or challenges to help other service
bodies focus their efforts or to make informed
decisions about service needed.
 Recent successes that others can learn from or use
to be more effective.
 Input on issues as requested by other service bodies.
 Some general ideas of important information to
bring back to your group from other parts of the
NA service structure:
 Anything that a service committee is asking
guidance or input on.
 Financial information.
 Activities, events, or service efforts that need
support.
 Leaders within the NA service structure are responsible
for carrying forward the needs and concerns of the
fellowship, and for sharing their thoughts and ideas.
 To be an effective conduit of information, leaders must:
 Have a clear understanding of the roles and
functions of the other parts of the service structure
they are communicating with.
 Know what information is most essential to deliver
to these service bodies and what information to take
back to their own group from these service bodies.
 Deliver the information in the most efficient way
possible
 8th Concept: “Our service structure depends on the
integrity and effectiveness of our communications.”
 Leaders in NA must be effective communicators at
different levels:
 One-on-one individually: as a mentor or coach.
 Within a team: facilitator. Helps the group
brainstorm ideas, solve problems, etc.
 Within the Service Structure: acts as a conduit of
information between bodies of the service
structure, making sure that everyone has the
information, input, and feedback that they need
to perform their functions.
 Concept 7 tells us how important it is for a leader to
generate dialog, discussion, and input within our
service groups.
 As a facilitator a leader fosters group conscience to
guide discussion and decision making.
 A leader must know how to build consensus and
productively manage conflict within the group so
that all points of view can be considered, but so that
the group can ultimately make a decision.
 Key Points:
 Set ground rules for discussions, including the idea
that to make the best decision we need to consider
and hear all points of view.
 When brainstorming, focus on solutions and prevent
the group from evaluating the ideas presented, until
it’s time to make a decision.
 When the issue is controversial or when there is a lot
of disagreement, ensure that comments focus on
the issue, problem, or idea under discussion and
not just individuals in the group.
 Essential techniques to generate dialog and discussion:
 Create an environment that allows for open discussion.
 Make sure the topic or issue to be discussed is clear
and understood by all.
 Keep the focus on the topic or issue.
 Allow enough time for the group to explore and discuss
topic or issue before asking them to make a decision.
 Listen effectively to understand what is being said.
 When it’s time to make a decision, leaders can use the
following steps:
 Clarify the decision that needs to be made & the goal
the group is trying to achieve by making the decision.
 Reflect on the input received and identify common
thoughts or ideas.
 Build & evaluate solutions/options to address the issue.
 Choose the solutions/options that will best meet the
group’s goal.
 Prepare for action & implementation of the decision.
The Whole: How our actions as a service body support
and impact NA as a whole.
The Vision: How we are continually working toward
our goals and the ultimate impact we strive for – our
vision, the reason we do what we do.
The Future: How we can best meet the needs of our
fellowship today, while anticipating and preparing for
the needs we will have tomorrow. How we can make
the Group, Area or Region more effective and more
efficient in providing services.
What are the different ways
we effectively
communicate information
in our service structure?
)
WHAT IS OUR VISION?

Stay OPEN-MINDED

LISTEN and SHARE the time

Remember to PLAY WELL with others

Don’t forget WHY we’re here!

STAY FOCUSED on the subject at hand
NO
KICKING,
BITING,
or
SCRATCHING
ALLOWED!!!
“The Leader as a Facilitator”
Or
“The Leader as a Conduit of Information”

Report
Your
Group’s
Results . . .
 Leadership is a unique experience that has many
rewards. As leaders you both embody the values of
those you serve, and yet at the same time help shape
those values by modeling good leadership.
 The personal rewards of taking on a leader role in
NA are enormous and can be a major part of our
continuing recovery.
 Leadership is not a solo action.
 To be effective, leaders draw from the diverse talents
& experiences of the group.
 Operating as a team has many benefits, such as:
 Builds Unity around a common purpose & vision
 Broadens the opportunities for service
 Develops future leaders