Team Coahing Agreements – What's In/Out of the Conversation Exercise

[Jacklynn]

At the beginning of any session that I do over 30 minutes and especially with a new team, I design a behaviourial boundary or Designed Learning Alliance (CRR Global, 2018) with the team/group to help self manage behaviours and team/group interaction. It is easy to do, and takes literally no more than 5-10 minutes. All you need is a whiteboard and markers or a flipchart and markers.

What’s IN/OUT of the Conversation Exercise
ASK: What do YOU need in the room today IN the conversation to make this a safe place to explore, learn and work together?

DO: Start by drawing a large circle on the board/paper writing IN (inside the circle) and OUT (outside the circle).

DO: To start the exercise: I write Confidentiality in the middle of the Circle. I explain what I mean by the word ‘Confidentiality’ to the team and WHY it might be important to have that in the session. ASK: Is this important to them? Y/N and Why. Should we keep it IN the circle?

ASK: “What do you need IN the circle for this session to be safe and successful to explore together?” Then I prompt others to say what they need IN the room for this session to be successful. DO: I write all of their IN words in the circle.

ASK: As I capture the words, I probe for clarity asking them WHAT that word means to them or “Tell me more about what respect means to you” and “Why might that be important to this team/group?” Participants are clarifying the word meaning and describing what they need for the session to be successful and safe to explore.

ASK: Once we have enough words IN the circle, I ASK – “What should be OUT of the conversation today?” sometimes clarify – “What should NOT be part of the conversation?” Sometimes I need to give an example such as technology – “What does it take to be fully present in today’s session for this team?” Participants often come up with NO Anger, NO judgement etc. This starts to create team/group boundaries.

I leave the circle visible on the board for the rest of the session – throughout the 2 days.

ASK: Participants to honour their agreements and if agreements are broken or being honoured – they can bring it up for discussion.

COACH’s ROLE: As the sessions progress, it it important to notice (third level) what they honour or do not honour. Pointing this out to the team can be a pivotal learning moment – the shift to a new state can occur.

Besides the agreement exercise provided by TCI and the Desgined Learning Alliance (DLA) or Designed Team Alliance (DTA) from CRR Global, how do you create team agreements? Please share.

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