Why bother with group agreements?

Worth taking the time for, developing group agreements (aka guiding principles or ground rules ) can be a facilitator's wild card to move a group towards great work and away from falling to pieces.

Let's be honest, many groups say the following classic excuses NOT to create group rules:

"We know each other, we don't need to have rules."

"Boring... we know what they will be...respect, listen, don't interrupt...why bother rehashing what we already know?"

"We are too rushed."

Time for a pradigm shift.  Time to re-define what group agreements and the process of creating them can actually do for you and your group.

#1 Group agreements are public commitments to each other in the collaborative effort. Imagine the shift in attitutdes and behviours when people set an intent to be responsible for their own reactions and level of participation... and then say it out loud! Perhaps this would actual mean that people would stay engaged, stay off their cell phones and generously share their ideas - all without having to be asked!  They act as a reminder that participants need to handle their own feelings/reactions/learning to be accountable. 

#2  Group agreements are also the get out of jail free card if interactions do get tense. As a group member or facilitator, having written agreements can be used to remind those who slip into less than agreeable behaviours (side talking, rolling eyes, accusatory or inflammatory statements, ect.) that it is not ok.  Let's hope your group never goes there but trust us, going through the process of creating group agreements can PREVENT negative behaviour as well as SAVE you when all hell breaks loose.

Any stories about group agreements - when they worked and when they didn't? We'd love to hear from you.

Watch for a future blog on WHAT CAN GO WRONG IN A GROUP - how to prevent it (if you can) or how to deal with it head-on!

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