Decoding Friendships: The Anatomy of Cliques

Imagine your group as a body with each individual playing a special role. While birds of the same feather are said to flock together, even the tightest of cliques is not made up of mono-colored members. From the largest global organization to the tightest awesome twosome, it is not the members' similarities that fortify a group, but their different strengths. What role do you play in your group?

You are the head of the group if...

You are an overall achiever. Timidity is unknown to you. With all that's going for you, why shouldn't you be confident? Your plans are made and always carried out, and you've got a great group of smart, strong, and willing friends to help you out. It's not that you're bossy; you just have a strong sense of group pride. You like to motivate your group to be their best because you know that the triumph of one is the triumph of all. A natural opinion-maker, your friends look to you to take the first plunge into unfamiliar territory. Whether a do or a don't, your opinion matters!

You are the heart of the group if...

You know everyone's favorite flavor of ice cream, feel-good movie, and friendship pep talk. You are a part of your group's emergency kit for break-ups, bum grades, and bad hair era's. You're everyone's best friend, gifted in the essential arts of hand-holding, back-patting, and shoulder-lending. You know when to switch to all ears mode and let your friends' whims and worries pour into you.

You are the hands of the group if...

If it weren't for you, your entire group's big talk would just be empty words. You make things happen! You're a person of action; pondering and planning aren't your style. You don't need your name in lights to know your value to the production. You are happy working behind the curtains while someone else shines. Loyalty is your strongest asset and you motivate the group with your willingness to serve your friends. Free-spirited, you tag along where the tide takes you. And you know that it's not where you go or what you do, but being with your friends that matters most.

You are the feet of the group if...

If there's a road yet to be traveled, you'll find it and take it. Your enthusiasm is addictive and it takes a strong will to resist your sometimes outrageous suggestions. Spicing it up is your pastime and you've gotten the group through many a dull season. You welcome risks and setbacks as part of the adventure and love coming up with indigenous ways of getting the group out of the tight spots your crazy ways put you in. Your friends love you for your spontaneity and spunk. If the head takes the lead, the heart provides the loving care, and the hands give life to plans, you offer the precious gift of lightheartedness and laughter.

Treat each member of your clique with respect, just like the various parts of your body functioning differently. No one part is more important than the others. Learning how to give, take, share, strengthen, listen, and love is all you need for a healthier, happier friendship.