Group Agreements for Networks

‍Purpose

A process to identify group agreements, with a list of some of our favorite examples to consider adopting.

Context

An early step before engaging in courageous conversations is to first establish group agreements. When created with care, group agreements help create a welcoming space where every participant can engage. With group agreements in place, participants are usually more comfortable raising new perspectives, disagreeing with one another, and engaging in the kind of generative conflict that is necessary for good decision making.

Developing Group Agreements

To generate a list of potential agreements, consider asking participants to reflect on the following question: “What do you need from the people in this group for you to be able to participate fully?” Start by providing time for personal reflection, and then invite participants to share their thoughts, first in small groups and then in the full group. Once you have co-created a list, test for agreement, make any final changes, and ask people to affirm the group agreements.

People might offer things like “I need to know that the things I share will be kept confidential.” A corresponding group agreement around confidentiality might be to “Take the lesson, leave the details.” Others might say that they have a hard time sitting for long periods of time and need to move around. A corresponding group agreement might be to “Practice self-care.”

Group Agreements to Consider

• Listen to understand. Be open to learning and willing to embrace some discomfort in order to learn.
• Land the plane. Speak succinctly to provide space for others.
• Practice self-care. Feel free to stand up, walk around, and take breaks as you need them.
• Be aware of time. Use your breaks and meal times wisely (remember to move your body); return from breaks in a timely manner.
• Consider intent and impact. Take responsibility for what you say and do: acknowledge intent but focus on and attend to impact.  
• Stay open to emergence. We’re trying things on and it’s OK to change your mind.
• Maintain confidentiality. Consider adopting the Chatham House Rules. “Anyone who comes to the meeting is free to use information from the discussion, but is not allowed to reveal who made any comment without consent.” 

Remember…

People believe in what they co-create. There is real power in inviting network members to generate and “own” the agreements that will guide their behavior. If you bring suggested agreements to the group for consideration, do so sparingly. Co-creation sets the stage for accountability.