Other Ground Rules or Guidelines

  • Respect each other
  • Attack ideas not people
  • Be specific
  • Comments made here stay here
  • Comments belong to the group
  • One person talks at a time
  • Be punctual
  • Avoid passing judgment
  • Avoid killer phrases like "we already tried that" and "it will never work" and "yes, but . . ."
  • Be supportive of the other team members and their contributions
  • Silence and absence is consensus
  • Practice active listening
  • Keep discussion relevant
  • No side talking
  • One conversation at a time
  • No backtracking for people who are late
  • No beepers/cellular phones
  • 5-minute rule (any one can call 5 min rule--to close out a discussion going nowhere)
  • Define acronyms
  • Everyone is equal
  • One person speaks at a time
  • Allow people to change
  • Balance consistency with flexibility
  • Check assumptions before acting
  • Criticize ideas, not people
  • Do not retaliate
  • Follow through
  • Interact
  • Keep an open mind
  • Keep communication lines open
  • Share responsibility
  • Speak for yourself
  • Speak up
  • Be open to the ideas of others
  • Take responsibility for your own learning
  • Keep things specific, real, here.
  • Full confidentiality
  • You have the right to pass
  • Be as open as possible but honor the right of privacy.
  • Information discussed in our group is confidential.
  • Respect differences.
  • Don't discount others' ideas.
  • Be supportive rather than judgmental.
  • Give feedback directly and openly;
  • You are responsible for what we get from this team experience.
  • Ask for what you need
  • Use your time wisely
  • Focus on goals, avoid sidetracking, personality conflicts and hidden agendas.
  • Start and end meeting on time.
  • Absenteeism permitted if scheduled in advance with the leader.
  • Review and agree on agenda at start of meeting and then stick to it.
  • Publish agenda and outcomes.
  • Everyone is expected to help facilitate the meeting.
  • Critique/evaluate meeting.
  • Everyone is expected to participate and to respect and support the right to be heard.
  • 100% focus and attention while meeting.
  • Be willing to forgive.
  • Share air time
  • Phones and/or pagers on vibrate, instead of ring or beep
  • Be open to new concepts and to concepts presented in new ways.
  • One person talks at a time.
  • Job titles are left at the door.
  • Build self-esteem.
  • No finger pointing - address the process not the individual.
  • Rotate responsibilities
  • Frequently check for understanding - summarize and/or paraphrase
  • Work towards understanding consensus.
  • Include everyone in the discussion
  • Do not accept the first idea - go for the second and even better the third.
  • Start and end on time.
  • Everyone is responsible for the success of  the meeting.
  • Have fun
  • Communicate, communicate, communicate
  • Don't interrupt someone talking.
  • No killer statements (don't shoot down ideas).
  • Be open to ideas
  • Everyone participates.
  • Differences or conflicts are handled positively
  • Share your knowledge.
  • Be honest.
  • Ensure everyone participates at least every hour.
  • Provide key point notes to participants.
  • Respect each person.
  • Share responsibility
  • Criticize only ideas, not people.
  • Keep an open mind
  • Question and participate.
  • Attend all meetings.
  • Listen constructively
  • Ask a question when you have one.
  • Feel free to share an illustration.
  • Request an example if a point is not clear.
  • Be an "Adventurer" not a "Prisoner".
  • Practice active listening.
  • Be a team player.
  • Be yourself.
  • Ask questions.
  • Relax.
  • Make mistakes.
  • Have a different opinion.
  • Listen alertly and take accurate notes.
  • Participate enthusiastically.
  • Confine your discussion to the current topic.
  • Give freely of your experience.
  • Appreciate other points of view.
  • Keep confidences and assume others will.
  • Share the limelight.
  • Say "Thank You".
  • Stay focused on the task and the person of the moment.
  • Ask why
  • Keep up-to-date.