By — Tyler Symone Mosley

Great groups make strong leaders, an English assistant professor told NE students Dec. 1.

Shewanda Riley presented the secrets of a great group and the meaning of being in a group.

“Great groups are the product of meticulous recruiting,” she said.

Every individual will not be able to join a great group, Riley said. There are groups better suitable for them. Members pay a personal price, Riley said.

“It’s not equal giving, but it’s equal sacrifice,” she said.

Riley said the point for such participation is everyone makes an investment in a group.

In a great group, everyone has to make a commitment to achieve the goal at the end, Riley said. Leadership skills can always be taught in a great group. Surrounding themselves with strong leaders will produce a great group, she said.

“Abandoning individual egos to the pursuit of a dream,” she said.

People should always be willing to take criticism from people in a group, Riley said.

“If you aren’t accountable for the good or bad, there will not be a great group,” she said.

Absence of trust and fear of conflict are the two factors that will not make a group succeed.

“At the heart of every great group is a shared dream,” she said.