1. Setting Ground Rules that Lead to More Productivity in Your Meetings and Brainstorming Sessions

2. Interact and Learn! Download the Handouts and PowerPoint
Chat with the Instructor
Chat with Each Other
Ask Questions – Make Comments
Learn Something That You’ll Immediately Apply

3. What We’ll Cover in this Session
A list of ground rules to consider for your meetings
When to use and when not to use them
Some examples of “how to apply” ground rules

4. Polling Question #1 We Currently Use Ground Rules in Our Meetings Yes No

5. Everyone participate, no one dominate

6. Share the airtime

7. Success depends on participation – share ideas, ask questions, draw others out

8. Listen to understand

9. Use I statements

10. Listen for the future to emerge

11. One speaker at a time

12. Seek unity (not separation)

13. Disagree without being disagreeable

14. Share your unique perspective

15. Share your experience (not others)

16. Speak honestly

17. Stay open to new ways of doing things

18. All ideas are valid

19. Critique ideas, not people

20. Be positive, non-judgmental and open to new ideas

21. Remember responsibility and non- defensiveness

22. Great things happens through conversation

23. Respect each others’ thinking and value their contributions

24. Be aware of meaningless abstraction

25. Treat what you hear as an opportunity to learn and grow

26. Articulate hidden assumptions

27. Challenge cherished beliefs

28. Show up and CHOOSE to be present

29. Staying on schedule is everyone’s responsibility; honor time limits

30. Be brief and meaningful when voicing your opinion

31. Whatever is said in the room stays in the room

32. Ask “what’s possible?” not “what’s wrong”? Keep asking

33. Seek common ground and understanding (not problems and conflict)

34. “Yes…and” thinking (not, “Yes…but”)

35. Stay out of the weeds and the swamps

36. Have fun!

37. Once you set your meeting guidelines, be sure that all of your participants are aware of your expectations. A great way to keep them reminded, without saying a word, is to use a visual agenda. That way you have a graphic reference of the ground rules in plain view where they can help the group regulate themselves.

38. Thank People for Attending!