Monday, August 27, 2012

Looking for a Ticket into Higher Participation? Create collective FUN!


A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinctions between his work and his play, his labour and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing and leaves others to determine whether he is working and playing.”
L.P. Jacks, Education Through Recreation.

Communities and organizations can sustain their working together efforts with this type of blurred movement between work and play. In fact, our partnership, Raising the Village Consulting, started in the realm of fun. We (Tammy and Tracy) met at a women’s kayaking and cycling course and while dodging (or aiming for) mud puddles and navigating waves in the pouring rain, we found our combined commitment to creative group processes. After co-authoring our book Raising the Village, we quickly discovered that we were NOT the only ones on the pursuit for more creative interaction, fun and engagement in communities. The biggest request we have received since the book is for MORE ways to engage groups and more ways to facilitate creative processes that hold meaning.

When it comes to participatory methods we’ve used a slew of creative processes (and honestly, not always successfully) such as:
  • Collaging exercises or play-dough to create vision statements
  • Blocks to discuss the difference between collaboration and cooperation
  • Graphic recording to keep people’s attention and open up the right side of the brain 
  • Balls to signal when it is someone else's turn to share/talk on an agenda (keeps people awake and
  • on their toes too)
  • Champagne toasts to create mission statements
  • Strategic plan scavenger hunts around town
  • Comedic comedy clips or cartoons to bring issues alive in an indirect way

Through any process we bring our humour and let our quirks shine. We certainly admit to when an activity “bombs” or doesn’t quite land which brings an authenticity that keeps things light and real (and boy does that help when dealing with complex issues)! For example, one time we facilitated a creative visualization around moving through obstacles and challenges. People seemed very reflective during this but when it came time to share stories the room was more silent than expressive. In hindsight, people weren’t yet ready to share intimate details and stories with a room of people they did not know. We adjusted on the fly and turned the opportunity into a dialogue about obstacles in general instead of sharing stories. During a similar workshop the following week we “warmed” the climate first by playing an “obstacle bingo” game which was a light and perhaps safer way to explore the challenges that face collaborative work. After the tone was set, deeper stories were spontaneously shared in small groups with expression aplenty.

Now creativity, fun and group process is not all about gimmicks, role plays and props (although it certainly can be). It is also about how people approach one another and work together. It can be your ticket to higher participation, maximized engagement, expanded collective thinking and meaningful action.

“Mark Beeman, PhD, at Northwestern University, found that people have an easier time solving a puzzle after watching a short comedy clip. Having fun, perhaps by easing tension, may facilitate neuronal connections that are helpful for greater mental flexibility and creativity. In another brain imaging study, Dr. Beeman found that activation of pleasure centers in the brain predicted successful puzzle-solving. These findings suggest that well-being helps us think more creatively and could potentially help us resolve challenging situations.”
Spirituality & Health, May-June 2011 ~ Emma Seppala

The benefits of using creative group process are massive. We have seen firsthand how taking a playful approach together can lead to:

  • Extraordinary fuller dialogue that captures many voices
  • Engaged WHOLE brain activity (the left and right)
  • The spirit of play – which is key to innovation.
  • Increased shared experience and co-created meaning
  • Less daunting complexity and increased creative solutions
  • A spirit of celebration and “can do” or “we” type of attitude
  • Enriched relationships (and often a shared leadership/ownership)
  • Expanded and reframed challenges

Creative group process can instigate an environment of fun, but it will be different for everyone.  It’s important to know your group and know your own leadership style so that you can pick the processes that will 1) work for you and 2) STRETCH but not hinder your engagement with others. A bit of discomfort and a bit of a stretch is good, but if you push too far, people may put up walls that no creative process is getting through. So do match the leader and the situation so that creativity has the ground to flourish. Meet people where they are, add a dash of fun and grab your ticket into higher participation infused with a collective smile.

For more ideas and resources on creative group process visit our website www.raisingthevillage and watch for our soon to be released book that is busting with 60 group activities,
Village Raising. Learn, Think, Innovate & Act Together. Engaging Activities for Group Leaders.



You’re Turn! Village Raising Questions:

  • Where does your distinction lie between work and play? How are the two combined?
  • What participatory methods have you used that bring a sense of collective fun?
  • How do you resolve challenging situations in groups?
  • Where is your comfort zone with participating in or facilitating creative group process? What benefits are there to stepping out of this comfort zone? What benefits are there to respect people’s different boundaries around participation? 

Monday, August 20, 2012

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!

Related Blogs
Turning Cantakerous into Cooperative
Derailed by Group Dynamics



Monday, August 13, 2012

Agendas - more than a pretty package!

It is deeply disappointing when a meeting agenda isn't developed and used to it's fullest potential. Don't you abhorr those situations where you have commited precious time to gather for a meeting and receive a last minute, "death by boredom" sort of agenda or ... (everyone suck in their breath) ... don't receive an agenda at all?

Admitedly, an agenda obsession is a tad odd - but this hallowed document represents something that is core to the work we do at Raising the Village - design effective, productive and creative group interactions.  And isn't that what we want for all of our meetings?

An agenda is also more than just a pretty invitation to a meeting. It has an important job to do.

"The Agenda"
    • treat it as a tool to clarify and communicate a meeting's purpose
    • share it ahead of time to allow participants to think and prepare to engage in the topics
    • embrace it's truly flexible nature - any item written shouldn't HAVE to happen exactly, it is a guide not a script
    • use it to respect people's time - the agenda should state a start and end time that should stand firm

Designing an agenda offers an opportunity. Here are 8 considerations to take full advantage of it:
  1. What kind of meeting is this?  In other words, what are the intended outcomes?
  2. What are the needs of the participants? Alas, it's not always about you!
  3. What could go wrong, and how can the plan avoid or support tricky situations?
  4. Can you involve participants in the planning and design in some way?
  5. How can the content or order set the tone you are after? positive and team building? serious and formal? creative and participatory?
  6. How long do you need to get things done?  or from a more common angle - you only have x amount of time...what can you realistically get accomplished?
  7. What kind of food will you have and when do people get to eat it?  Don't laugh...this is important!
  8. What is the "usual" meeting like - and how can you get more out of it by doing things differently? Sometimes leaders/facilitators/meeting chairs need a little AGENDA INTERVENTION - it's important to get some help, especially when the stakes are high!
If what you want is effective, productive and creative meeting outcomes - putting the time into the plan is critical.

A few other related blogs:

6 Group Process Tips
Understanding, engaging and moving forward with groups.
Mindful Meeting Magic






Monday, August 6, 2012

What’s your favorite place?


What's your favorite place to collaborate, kibitz, and all around community build?

The location of any group meeting conveys a message all on its own.  Some of our most moving and magical collaborative moments have occurred by taking a twist on the usual board room or office meeting space. For example, we have facilitated and hosted in our own homes or in coffee shops (think First Nation spirituality conversations while nestled in circular placed couches or watching strength inspired movie clips while lounging in a family setting). Several times we have held meetings and celebrations out of the usual conference room and donned outdoor gear (think strategic planning scavenger hunt in a park or annual networking events while walking on the beach - true stories).

So if you are looking for some mindful meeting magic remember to think about the physical space and location. Being intentional sets the tone for the type of interaction that will evolve.

  • If you are thinking creative - be playful and unexpected with the environment.
  •  If you are thinking renewal and rejuvenation – design a space to be calm and filled with natural elements. 
  • If you are thinking relationship building and networking – use a space to allow movement and connection.
Your turn...tell us your favorite place to do it. Collaboration that is! 
Share your meeting space "twist" or collaborative location ideas and help inspire other village raisers!
Post on RTV facebook or Twitter.