Wild at the Roots

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Criteria for Group Effectiveness

We need a model of groups that shows what an effective group looks like, the elements
that contribute to its effectiveness, and how the elements should interact.

Conflict Management

An effective group considers conflict a natural part of group life and they:

1. use conflict to learn more about the problem.

2. learn how others see it (rather than persuade people that they are right).
3. assume others have relevant information that they may not have.
4. assume that others are well intended.
5. assume that their own solution may be missing something (rather than assuming
that others are uninformed or misinformed and have ulterior motives).

Steps to take:

1. share previously hidden thoughts and feelings.

2. openly test any difference of opinion.
3. openly disagree without fear of retribution.
4. openly confront each other, believing that each person is strong enough to
receive negative feedback directly.

An effective group resolves conflict so:

1. the conflict remains resolved.

2. members understand how the conflict arose.
3. members understand how they contributed to it.
4. members know how they can act differently to prevent unnecessary conflict.

Effective communication

1. exchange information so that sender and receiver understand the meaning in the
same way. (agree on what important words mean).
2. share opinions and conclusions and how they arrived at them. Make reasoning
explicit by sharing intent, assumptions, inference, information and examples they
used and logical steps they went through to arrive at a conclusion.
3. encourage others to identify gaps in their reasoning.
4. ask others to share their own reasoning as well.
5. communicate directly to ensure that their meaning has been received as they
intended.
6. respond to questions and concerns that might arise.
7. seek reaction to their comments to focus the conversation and move it forward,
avoiding a series of monologues in which members state views.
8. openly express disagreement with any other member.
 9. offer specific examples to illustrate a view rather than communicate only in the
abstract.
10. if a member makes an inference about another that person tests out the
inference to determine whether it is valid, rather than simply acting as if it is true.
11. members communicate directly rather than using nonverbal behavior
12. members deal with undiscussable issues that they believe cannot be discussed
openly in the group without negative consequences.

The Skilled Facilitator: A Comprehensive Resource for Consultants, Facilitators,

Managers, Trainers, and Coaches, Roger Schwarz.