We researched alongside older Australian women who were newly diagnosed with type II diabetes. This inquiry was guided by Koch and Kralik’s participatory action research (PAR) methodology. We asked women to talk about their self-management and learning post-diagnosis and continued to talk with them for 12 months. Once we had built relationships we asked women to join group discussion. Ten PAR group sessions were held over six months. The focus of this article will privilege the group discussion led by the women so that group dynamics can be observed. We turn to Lewin and Tuckmann’s work on group dynamics and line up Koch and Kralik’s ‘look, think and act’ process as useful in describing what happens in a group. We suggest that a closer look at the group’s working reveals a better understanding of its democratic process, and that the theoretical models provide tools for closer scrutiny. The cyclical nature of the PAR process promoted reflection and learning among women. Women learnt more about diabetes and themselves through mutual engagement and self-directed activities. We conclude that group learning was a powerful dynamic in helping women to live with a chronic illness.