Ground rules for groups can be your friend in a time of need
Ground rules for groups have their place if you envisage some challenges in managing a group, it’s a new group or you have not worked with them before.
Also known as a group contract, this process encourages them to set their own standards for what is expected of each other.
In an ideal world, once people have agreed to the ground rules the group should ‘self-govern’. Through agreement with the ground rules, the group will often pull any offenders into line. If they don’t, a gentle reminder about the agreed ground rules can be a great tool for keeping the workshop process moving.
The basics of ground rules for groups
- Check the group’s background beforehand if you have not worked with them. Some group members may find the need for ground rules unnecessary or even an insult
- If there are some ‘hot topics’ that are likely to get people excited, ground rules will be your friend!
Try the ‘self rule’ option
- You can ask the group for suggestions regarding how they’d like to work together
- Ask how they would like to be treated throughout the workshop or how they would like to see the event ‘unfold’.
- Be aware that this can result in vague and sometimes ineffective ground rules, try to get them to be as specific as possible
- Make sure that everyone actually agrees to the ‘ground rules’ being proposed. A good question is, “Can we live with this?”
The ‘ROPES’ model of ground rules for groups
One handy tool to use is called ‘showing the ropes’, where the ropes form the ground rules for the day. By sticking to the ropes, participants should agree to:
R espect – others opinions
O pen minded – be open to other peoples ideas
P articipate – in the process
E xperience – be sure to share what they have
S hare the air – give everyone space and a fair go
The ‘Above the Line’ model
Another option is the ‘above the line’ concept. When people are ‘above the line’ they take responsibility for their actions and behaviour. They’re looking for what’s possible from the process and how they could contribute to change.
When we’re in an ‘Above the Line’ mode, we’re mostly future-focused, which means we have some influence over the outcome.
People who sit below the line, tend to blame others for their situation or justify their actions (or lack of them). Being below the line means you’re not moving and you stay where you are – below the line.
When we’re in a ‘Below the Line’ mode, we’re often caught on things that happened in the past, or we’re stuck and refusing to move, resulting in a low level of influence over the outcome.
Summary
Ground rules for groups are mostly needed when dealing with contentious issues or the group is in its formative stages. Otherwise you can be confident that people are good and will look out for each other.
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