Secrets and Tips for Group Success

Tired of chaotic meetings where nothing seems to get done? Developing ground rules will make them more effective.

1. Starting Your Team Meeting

Creating group ground rules is a good start. Remember to post them. Pull from your group the norms for shared time. For newly formed groups this is critical. A few minutes will net items like:

• Start and end on time
• Only one person speaks at a time
• No side conversations
• Role of the facilitator or note-taker
• Schedule for meetings

And so on until the group's needs are met. Write these on a dry erase board or flip chart. Have them available each time the group meets. Laminate and keep on display if you have a regular meeting place.

If you are the group leader or iffacilitation changes, it is easier to hold team members accountable in meetings if you have agreed upon ground rules first.

The group is invited to add items and seek agreement whenever a need occurs.