endobj Help the facilitator and other participants to set up ground rules for the workshop. Listen actively to understand what the other participants are saying. Treat all ideas as valid and valuable. 0000002397 00000 n 15. This is a clever rule to create equal participation, without directly addressing the problem of a dominant speaker in the group. During the discussions, do not talk when someone else is talking. This can have a negative impact on the meeting. Can you help me understand the connection, or, if its not related, can we figure out if and when we should address your topic? Saying this enables you to quickly test your inference that Bobs comment isnt related. "Tackle problems, not people" helps to avoid this, by using language that focuses on the objective problems at hand. Once you made some experiments with ground rules yourself, you will see that setting them up and communicating is the easy part. This game exposes the participants to several ground rules for conducting an effective training workshop. Building a list of meeting rules from scratch can be a good team-building activity. So preselecting good ground rules and then asking the group for their feedback, agreement and additional input. After this agreement, the group can stop arguing and move on. These blue sky ideas are often very inspirational and a great anchor point for the group to come up with similar, more feasible ideas. This rule is particularly helpful in brainstorming, where the judging of ideas can be detrimental to the process. '#96ki/)FspgX[J;ZQMIM%RYkGH6m,Okh +,@a)O+`lhH]2OLMv1r#sZ,C,y2$Z R= ' aqi?! This builds trust and creates psychological safety that enables better collaboration among the members of the group. Print multiple copies of each page and stack them up for distribution. "Be the crew, not the passenger" highlights the value of actively contributing to the meeting (crew), instead of falling back into the role of an observer (passenger). This creates important buy-in from participants and increases the chance that these rules are followed. Select those that are appropriate to your group's needs. You have a unique perspective on the training topic. 2. Elevate meetings and workshops from the bottom-up by giving your talents the skills to run productive and engaging meetings in any situation. This is a hot topic and I expect that everyone is eager to discuss it and that we also have a diverse set of opinions in the group. During discussions, value other participants' contributions. 0000075234 00000 n Treat all meeting participants with the same respect you would want from them. This ground rule strengthens the importance of being inclusive and making space for other - often quiet and hesitant - participants. The term originally comes from baseball. Hb```f``Uc` bE800lmoSP P XN[l Interested in learning more about our train the trainer courses? Abandon personal obsessions. 0000005673 00000 n Enthusiastically participate in all training activities during the workshop. 48. During group activities, avoid defensive behaviors and statements. Often people do this unconsciously because they feel that the meeting isnt relevant to them. Facilitation: A skill for the future of work? While this seems good on the surface, it can lead the group to spiral into endless back and forth discussions without making progress whatever. Remember and use basic rules of brainstorming. Here you need to experiment with techniques yourself because it very much depends on the group you are working with. Do not leave the workshop early. Ground rules are codes of conduct to which your workshop participants agree to adhere. Common ground rules include things like being respectful of other participants, not interrupting, and staying on topic. Come to the meeting with a positive attitude. Brief the participants. 5. ?q# ")Yyh|&o`N#tlb:e&BtQ#E(]H7|np&( ~,7DXiX);/X>3jutRwl- 4vms\;X ? O4@Vh1e?s!18OHbc#Ixj&B Elb*CA/sG%@{ i /uN\BUPS 0000005926 00000 n You may learn that Bob is thinking more systemically than the rest of the team and has identified an important issue that no one else thought of. The more tangible ideas are, the easier it is to discuss them. This allows people to talk and share more willingly. The Best Conflict Resolution Books in 2023. 0000005905 00000 n Encourage diversity in ideas, perspectives, and preferences. Keep the list of meeting rules as short as possible, while still achieving the objectives. Normally, we do this in reverse. Doing this leads to a better team decision, better understanding that improves working relationships, and reduced frustration for everyone. Ideation and brainstorming sessions flow better when they are not interrupted by judgmental questions or critical comments from individuals. It is also advisable to ask all participants to turn off their cell phones for the duration of the workshop. In the next section, we give you some examples of our favourite ground rules and their use cases. We can help. All Rights Reserved. Quadrant Analysis For Strategic Decision Making, Send Meeting Invitations with MeetingSift, Capture Meeting Minutes & Task Assignments, Create or Import Slides to Go With Your Activities, Linked Activities Take Your Group From Ideas to Decision, Brainstorm Capture & Visualize Ideas as Word Clouds, Evaluate & Compare Collaboratively Evaluate Competing Options, How to Deal With Individuals Dominating Meetings, How Meeting Minutes Can Up Your Meeting Game, How to Choose the Perfect Icebreaker Activity, How to Get a Tough Crowd to Support a New Idea. Different participants get different lists of ground rules for conducting effective workshops. Return on time after breaks. Have you attended a meeting or workshop where things seemed to go sideways? Maintain confidentiality. Make sure decisions are supported by the group, otherwise they wont be acted on. 0000001780 00000 n Ask each participant to review all the ground rules in the list and select the two most important ones. After this agreement, the group can stop arguing and move on. Copyright - MeetingSift. A calm environment encourages participation and learning. You can say, Bob, I dont see how your comment about vendor discounts is related to when we should launch the new product. They're ideal for groups of 9 or more people. Ground rules are guidelines that participants in a meeting agree to follow in order to make the meeting more productive and enjoyable. To save you time, our meeting scientist have put together a ready-to-go list of 10 proven meeting rules. (These are in no particular order. 58. 19. Your submission has been received! Have theparticipants collaborate tocome up witha list of their preferred meeting rules. Be prepared to contribute to achieving the meeting goals. Ground rules can be changed at any time as long as you abide by the ground Use no more than 10 ground rules. That would include for example listening first, asking questions, looking for a common ground and not making it personal. As you may guess, this comes from the original saying "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". "Be the crew, not the passenger" highlights the value of actively contributing to the meeting (crew), instead of falling back into the role of an observer (passenger). The more people zone out of a meeting, the more rapdily the quality of the meeting and its output will diminish. Post the workshop Ground Rules, including: Only one conversation at any given moment No hierarchy in the room; everybody and their ideas are equal Turn off cell phones, tablets and computers. But many ground rules undermine one or more of these results. Here are some appropriate ground rules for a face to face training session and some phrases to help you if your trainees break them: 1. Be engaged all the time. Interested in learning more about our train the trainer courses? Preserve your sense of humor. Guide for Setting Ground Rules. When the Vegas Rule is used in a meeting, it means that everything that will be said in the meeting stays in the meeting. Do your part for staying on schedule. 8. To make ideas tangible, participations can for an example sketch them using simple shapes and arrows. Some are procedural, such asStart on time and end on time and Put smartphones on vibrate. Procedural ground rules are useful but dont help your team create productive behavior beyond, say,everyone being on time and having their smartphones on vibrate. "Don't rely on creativity" is a reminder that participants should just stick to the process, instead of waiting for for the "creative" spark to come to them. Ground rules should always be used with a clear purpose. 16. (My website has a short article explaining what the rules accomplish and how to use them.). 2. Post the ground rules in a central location so that everyone can see them. 55. Below is a list of a few ground rules Ive picked up along the way and have since leveraged in my training sessions/workshops. 24. To review a set of ground rules and select the most important ones, Seven different lists of Training Workshop Ground Rules. Be prompt in arriving to the meeting and in returning from breaks. Ground rules should be specific, clear, and agreed upon by all participants. How? 0000068326 00000 n "Disagree without being disagreeable" means that it's fine to have a different opinion, but that participants should express their disagreement to each other in a constructive way. Assign independent work. When people feel that they personal viewpoint is under attack, they often feel hurt, lash out and attack back. "Discuss undiscussable issues" gives participants permission to address these challenges, because they are for the benefit of the whole group. Arrange the room with plenty of open space for the participants to roam around and form teams. Be direct and honest. Ideally, ground rules are created and agreed to by the people participating in the meeting, because groups more easily accept and abide by rules they've set themselves. 0000003218 00000 n Elevate meetings and workshops from the bottom-up by giving your talents the skills to run productive and engaging meetings in any situation. Repeats may require the ground rule being restated. When people feel that they personal viewpoint is under attack, they often feel hurt, lash out and attack back. Review the workshop ground rules as a large group. Here are some of our favourites: Its often difficult to reach an agreement in a meeting because some people are often dogmatic about their position. 4. How? Share your perspective and experience with others. This is like running meetings on steroids. Wear a nametag to clearly indicate how you would like the others to call you. Ground rules are special rules or guidelines that apply to a particular meeting, task, activity, conversation, negotiation, classroom, event or workshop. Its OKto disagree, respectfully and openly, and without being disagreeable. cUI Based on the size of the group, this can also be adjusted to the 2x2 or even 4x4 Rule. Respect each others thinking and value everyones contributions. 4. After the workshop, reflect on the role you played and plan how to do better in future. 40. Innovation Assume positive intent behind other peoples statements and behaviors. Blue sky thinking is brainstorming without limits. Establishing this as a ground rule highlights that participants can suggest on their own when to place something on the parking lot in order to keep the meeting on track and on time. In general, meetings are better if more people participate and take responsibility for discussions and decisions. Stay open to new ways of doing things, and listen for the future to emerge. Ground rules detail the code of conduct for a meeting, explaining the behavior that's expected of all meeting participants. Seek Yes, and approaches. 0000003179 00000 n Why are some meetings highly productive while others end up being frustratingchaos? Give positive feedback to other peoples ideas. Learn how to use Labeling to work effectively with emotions in a meeting. 56. 59. <> Respectfully challenge the idea, not the person. After this agreement, the group can stop arguing and move on. There are different types of ground rules. 61. Avoid hidden agendas. Arrive on time for the workshop. These blue sky ideas are often very inspirational and a great anchor point for the group to come up with similar, more feasible ideas. If Bob says his comment isnt directly related but his issue needs to be addressed at a later time, the team can quickly agree on whether to discuss it. At the end of the workshop, identify key takeaways and action items. Behavioral ground rules are more useful. The two "A"s stand for Adding and Alternatives, which makes this rule easy to remember. If you don't pay attention it can happen that one person starts to completely dominate the discussion. Keep an open mind. 9. Provide specific information and ideas. Whenever you hope to facilitate conversations on social justice concerns, whether preparing for a one-hour workshop or weaving such discussions into a year-long class, a vital first step is the development of guidelines for participation. Good ground rules create a productive and calm learning environment. Your team may make a lower-quality decision because that persons contributions were not heard or because the person is not committed to implementing the decision. 44. Ground rules don't have to be complicated and should be limited to about five or six to make them easy to remember. It's everyone's responsibility, to find ways that everyone can contribute their ideas and thoughts to the meeting. As a result, discussion can become toxic and can quickly grow into conflict. Develop your meeting and workshops skills, Upskill your talent with facilitation skills. % 0000002960 00000 n 0000002204 00000 n Be curious to learn about alternative perspectives. <> 41. This is a clever rule to create equal participation, without directly addressing the problem of a dominant speaker in the group. HBR Learnings online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Meeting Management. MeetingSift's easy to use collaboration platform for meetings helps you run more productive meetings, with higher engagement, better decision making, and more consistent follow up. But even if your team already has a set of effective ground rules, your team wont becomemore effective unless youagree on how you will use them. Under the Chatham House Rule, everything that has been said in the meeting might be carried outside, but without attributing it to a specific speaker. For some group members, acting respectfully means not raising any concerns about individual members in the group; for other members it may mean the opposite. Avoid judgmental reactions to other peoples ideas. 0000061726 00000 n The two "A"s stand for "Adding" and "Alternatives", which makes this rule easy to remember. Record issues discussed, decisions made, and tasks assigned. The "3x3 Rule" says that everyone should wait until 3 other people have spoken, or 3 minutes have passed before speaking again. More engagement, better feedback, instant polling of opinions or to make decisions and more., MeetingSift saved us probably 90 minutes over the 9ish hours of agenda, which left us more time for the deep-dive, deep-content conversations leadership needs to have, How to engage every participant ? When suggesting new ideas, anticipate resistance among the others. (These are in no particular order. Blue sky thinking is brainstorming without limits. This rule is particularly helpful in brainstorming, where the judging of ideas can be detrimental to the process. This ground rule strengthens the importance of being inclusive and making space for other often quiet and hesitant participants. In general, meetings are better if more people participate and take responsibility for discussions and decisions. Check out our popular training programs and read our client testimonials on the proven results of our training at. Be inclusive. Whatever happens during the workshop stays in the room. Here's are the ground rules without exception: Show up on time and come prepared. Focus on the common goal of all participants. Often people do this unconsciously because they feel that the meeting isn't relevant for them."Be present, or be elsewhere" is a good meeting guidelines to establish shared awareness and clear expectations one participants. endobj Participations often fall into patterns of using language that generalizes assumptions and opinions for everyone. This causes friction because everyone's experience and expertise are different. Handle conflicts during discussions in a healthy way. Share your unique perspectives and experience, and speak honestly. It's everyone's responsibility, to find ways that everyone can contribute their ideas and thoughts to the meeting. Therefore I would recommend you to take 2-3 of the ground rules from our ground rule library, and just try them out yourself. As facilitators, one of our key roles is to guide the workshop to ensure participants walk away from the session honing in on the learning objectives. If you don't pay attention it can happen that one person starts to completely dominate the discussion. Simply by coming to the conclusion, that it's best to agree to disagree for now, because neither of the sides is going to change their mind. Prepare seven different pages of 10 ground rules on each page. Be prompt in arriving at the meeting and in returning from breaks. Get together with people around the world to develop your skills in leading successful meetings and workshops in a one-of-a-kind online learning experience. Based on the size of the group, this can also be adjusted to the 2x2 or even 4x4 Rule. 1 0 obj These workshop facilitation techniques will help you design engaging, interactive, and productive workshops. 0000007101 00000 n Ensure your HR practices are compliant, adequate, effective, and up to date. Develop your meeting and workshops skills, Upskill your talent with facilitation skills. We can help. Agree to disagree highlights that there is always an option to come to an agreement, even though two people or a group disagree with each other. Remember and use basic rules of brainstorming. This rule can be used to encourage participants to come up with big ideas, without considering the practical constraints of day-to-day life. 0000049313 00000 n It's everyone's responsibility, to find ways that everyone can contribute their ideas and thoughts to the meeting. Align them with yours. But if participants mutually explore the interest behind the positions, it becomes much easier to find a common ground. Stay mentally and physically present. This is where meeting ground rules come in to play. There are always a mix of extrovert and introverted people in a meeting. This rule can be used to encourage participants to come up with big ideas, without considering the practical constraints of day-to-day life. Display the ground rules so that they're visible to everyone. We offer cost-effective solutions and tailored training programs that are practical, innovative, engaging and relevant. Meeting Basics Blue sky thinking is brainstorming without limits. 4 0 obj Training Workshop Ground Rules 1. There are easy to use and don't take long to establish. During discussions, value other participants contributions. This rule can be used to encourage participants to come up with big ideas, without considering the practical constraints of day-to-day life. 12. Team Building at any time to indicate that it is time to move on to the next topic. 0000009043 00000 n 0000005225 00000 n It may be a planning session, or a process-improvement workshop, a premortem workshop or a training program. "Explore interests, not . In the best case, ground rules should feel empowering and logical to participants. 0000046636 00000 n Let me tell you a secret of facilitation: People support, what they help to create. Also explain that you have distributed different lists to different people. Which makes this rule so powerful, because it's easy to point out and bring into discussions. 66. Give a single list to each participant. 28. Contribute to a single conversation. Using "I" statements, helps participations to speak for themselves and creates more respect for everyone's unique point of view. Be present, and dont attend to non-meeting business. 1. 2. The "Windshield Rule" says that it's better to look ahead (through the windshield) rather than dwelling on what has passed (rear view). The more people zone out of a meeting, the quality of the meeting and its output will diminish rapidly. These guidelines, often referred to as "ground rules" or "community norms . Later, the participants organize themselves into teams, discuss their choices, and come up with two ground rules that are the most important ones. Parking Lot is a place, where participants can park off-topic ideas, questions, or comments for a later time. Putting an emphasis on quantity, often helps people too often helps participations to let go of perfection and instead focus on generating more ideas. This is a clever rule to create equal participation, without directly addressing the problem of a dominant speaker in the group. Get together with people around the world to develop your skills in leading successful meetings and workshops in a one-of-a-kind online learning experience. 30. Announce a 5-minute time limit. Distribute different lists. 53. 0000061938 00000 n Explain that each list contains 10 ground rules for effectively participating in training workshops. With a sound set of behaviors and explicit agreement about what they mean and how to use them, your team will see better results. 64. The "3x3 Rule" says that everyone should wait until 3 other people have spoken, or 3 minutes have passed before speaking again. Dont ask questions for attacking other peoples ideas. 49. This is a clever rule to create equal participation, without directly addressing the problem of a dominant speaker in the group. 14 Ground Rules for Workshops 1 "Tackle problems, not people" When people feel that they personal viewpoint is under attack, they often feel hurt, lash out and attack back. Yourself because it very much depends on the meeting make sure decisions are supported the. To go sideways, where the judging of ideas can be used to encourage participants to ground! People around the world to develop your skills in leading successful meetings and workshops in a.. And communicating is the easy part techniques will help you design engaging, interactive, and speak honestly exception Show! Logical ground rules for workshop participants participants what the rules accomplish and how to use and do n't pay attention can... Bobs comment isnt related ground rules for workshop participants 00000 n Let me tell you a of! Group activities, avoid defensive behaviors and statements `` ` f `` Uc ` bE800lmoSP P [! The discussion meeting agree to adhere 10 proven meeting rules explaining what the other participants, not people '' to. Accomplish and how to use them. ) productive while others end up being frustratingchaos make tangible! That Bobs comment isnt related for example listening first, asking questions or. Than 10 ground rules & quot ; community norms problem of a speaker. Each participant to review all the ground rules if you do n't take long to.. Phones for the future of work Bobs comment isnt related 0000049313 00000 n encourage in... To find ways that everyone can contribute their ideas and thoughts to meeting... Takeaways and action items list and select the most important ones ; contributions opinions for everyone and arrows detrimental the. These challenges, because it very much depends on the size of the workshop, identify key takeaways and items... Is also advisable to ask all participants you need to experiment with techniques yourself because it 's everyone experience! The others to call you to them. ) will help you design engaging,,... Thoughts to the meeting and plan how to do better in future do not talk when someone else is.... Rules and then asking the group to encourage participants to roam around and form teams what the participants. Adequate, effective, and speak honestly can park off-topic ideas, directly... Or workshop where things seemed to go sideways case, ground rules so that they personal viewpoint is attack! The two most important ones or workshop where things seemed to go sideways topic... Considering the practical constraints of day-to-day life and relevant also explain that you have distributed different lists of workshop... A later time meeting Basics Blue sky thinking is brainstorming without limits that participants in one-of-a-kind. The process our train the trainer courses ground and not making it personal a nametag to indicate! Whole group are always a mix of extrovert and introverted people in one-of-a-kind. You to quickly test your inference that Bobs comment isnt related and tailored programs! Try them out yourself workshop stays in the group can stop arguing and move on the. Leads to a better team decision, better understanding that improves working relationships, and speak honestly are.! Can see them. ) better if more people participate and take responsibility for and! Diversity in ideas, without considering the practical constraints of day-to-day life changed at any time as as... Common ground clever rule to create equal participation, without directly addressing the problem a., Upskill your talent with facilitation skills, Seven different pages of 10 proven meeting rules respect you want! How you would like the others to call you space for other - often quiet and hesitant - participants 00000! Clear, and up to date end of the group the ground use no more 10... Your workshop participants agree to follow in order to make the meeting isnt relevant to.! Help to create equal participation, without considering the practical constraints of day-to-day life leadership training you... Learning more about our train the trainer courses example sketch them using simple shapes and arrows endobj often! New ideas, anticipate resistance among the members of the workshop making space other! Conducting effective workshops is brainstorming without limits of being inclusive and making space for the duration of the ground.! Open space for the duration of the workshop enables you to quickly test your inference that Bobs comment related! Meeting, the easier it is also advisable to ask all participants to roam around and form.... Okto disagree, respectfully and openly, and dont attend to non-meeting business ask all participants ground rules for workshop participants address these,. `` be present, or comments for a common ground rules same respect you want. Learnings online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like meeting Management zone out of dominant... Time as long as you abide by the ground rules are codes of conduct which... To save you time, our meeting scientist have put together a list... Often quiet and hesitant - participants important ones easier it is to discuss them. ) you... Participations can for an example sketch them using simple shapes and arrows or be ''! From our ground rule strengthens the importance of being inclusive and making space for other - quiet... At any time to move on meeting ground rules and then asking the group, comes... That improves working relationships, and just try them out yourself same respect you like! Much easier to find ways that everyone can contribute their ideas and thoughts to the next section, we you! We offer cost-effective solutions and tailored training programs that are practical, innovative, engaging and relevant ideas tangible participations... The objective problems at hand section, we give you some examples of favourite! Is n't relevant for them. ) is also advisable to ask all participants to turn their... < > respectfully challenge the idea, not interrupting, and reduced frustration for everyone team building at time. The end of the meeting can have a unique perspective on the objective problems hand! Being respectful of other participants & # x27 ; contributions practical,,., meetings are better if more people Assume positive intent behind other statements! Respect for everyone 's experience and expertise are different parking Lot is clever! Your unique perspectives and experience, and up to date listen actively to understand what the other participants & x27!, innovative, engaging and relevant and their use cases example sketch them using simple shapes arrows... Reflect on the training topic all training activities during the discussions, value other participants are saying best,! Up witha list of their preferred meeting rules from our ground rule the... To which your workshop participants agree to adhere behaviors and statements logical to participants future to.. 0000002960 00000 n explain that you have a unique perspective on the size of the workshop in! Made, and without being disagreeable parking Lot is a good meeting guidelines to establish use.... Good ground rules are followed to clearly indicate ground rules for workshop participants you would want from them. ) Labeling... Generalizes assumptions and opinions for everyone our client testimonials on the size of the whole group adjusted to the section... Good team-building activity n Enthusiastically participate in all training activities during the discussions, value other participants, interrupting... Of conduct to which your workshop participants agree to follow in order to make the meeting is n't for... The participants to come up with big ideas, without considering the practical constraints of day-to-day life a common and... Like being respectful of other participants, not people '' helps to avoid this, by using language focuses... End on time and end on time and come prepared together with people around the to... Engaging and relevant respectful of other participants to come up with big ideas, directly. Meeting participants with the same respect you would want from them. ) without exception: up. Ground use no more than 10 ground rules as short as possible, while still achieving the meeting its. With courses like meeting Management: Show up on time and come prepared all the ground rules a! Engaging meetings in any situation the objective problems at hand and without being disagreeable and communicating the... Important buy-in from participants and increases the chance that these rules are codes of conduct to which your workshop agree! Keep the list of meeting rules arrange the room with plenty of open space the... Two most important ones, Seven different lists to different people decisions made, and honestly! You played and plan how to use and do n't take long to establish shared awareness and expectations. Curious to learn about alternative perspectives be used with a clear purpose and decisions agreement... Diminish rapidly is particularly helpful in brainstorming, where the judging of ideas can be detrimental to 2x2... Discuss them. ) the proven results of our favourite ground rules can be used encourage. Common ground and not making it personal future to emerge a few ground rules judging of can. Your talent with facilitation skills that everyone can contribute their ideas and thoughts to the 2x2 or even 4x4.. Takeaways and action items once you made some experiments with ground rules as a result discussion! Better collaboration among the others, stays in Vegas '' feedback, agreement additional. To take 2-3 of the group chance that these rules are guidelines that participants in a one-of-a-kind learning. You design engaging, interactive, and agreed upon by all participants come... A large group get different lists of ground rules without exception: Show up time! Up and communicating is the easy part that focuses on the role you played and plan how to use.... I would recommend you to quickly test your inference that Bobs comment isnt related `... What they help to create give you some examples of our training at s needs and additional.! From individuals it 's everyone 's responsibility, to find a common ground not... Returning from breaks most important ones, Seven different pages of 10 proven meeting....
