In teamwork, which role is primarily responsible for guiding the group towards a common objective?

The role primarily responsible for guiding the group towards a common objective is indeed the leader. In a teamwork context, a leader provides direction, sets goals, and helps to motivate team members to achieve those objectives. They are instrumental in organizing tasks, facilitating discussions, and ensuring that everyone remains focused on the group's purpose. The leader also takes on the responsibility of making decisions and resolving conflicts that may arise during the teamwork process.

While other roles such as the facilitator, participant, and observer contribute to the team's functioning, they do not bear the same level of responsibility for steering the group towards its goals. The facilitator helps manage the process of the group’s interaction, the participant engages in the work at hand, and the observer watches the process but does not lead it. This distinction clarifies why the leader is the key role in achieving a common objective in teamwork.