1. Extraordinary Groups Geoff Bellman www.extraordinarygroups.com www.extraordinarygroups.com OD Network "MASTERFUL CONVERSATIONS"

2. Kathleen Ryan Geoff Bellman Bellman/Ryan © 20092

4. 4 Questions Why do some groups achieve amazing results while most others do not? What do these extraordinary groups have in common that sorts them from others? How might we create these great results more often?

5. Bellman/Ryan © 20095 Recall a most extraordinary small group experience #1. What did the group do that helped make it so? (3 actions) #2. What do you hope for as you enter a new group? (3 hopes) #3. How did the group feel as a result of their experience? (3 feelings)

6. Bellman/Ryan © 20096 Field Study Sixty groups of 2—20 Work, volunteer, personal life Self-identified as “extraordinary” Interviews with 1—3 members 1.5—2 hour telephone interviews Open-ended questions & stories

7. Bellman/Ryan © 20097 Eight Performance Indicators 1.Compelling Purpose 2.Shared Leadership 3.Just-Enough Structure 4.Full Engagement 5.Embracing Difference 6.Unexpected Learning 7.Strengthened Relationships 8.Great Results

8. Bellman © 20098 1. Compelling Purpose Bold, break-through, cutting-edge Linked to a noble cause Purpose guides action Knowing others are committed

9. Bellman © 20099 2. Shared Leadership Members see selves as leaders Members initiate, don’t wait Designated leader sees group is led

10. Bellman © 200910 3. Just-Enough Structure Just enough and just in time Structure to fit outcomes needed More organic than mechanical Collaborative, adaptive, creative

11. Bellman © 200911 4. Full Engagement Excitement and passion evident Humor and fun are part of work Enjoy working hard together People give and then give more

12. Bellman © 200912 5. Embracing Differences Differences = opportunity Full & wide engagement = creativity Individual uniqueness respected Trusting, safe environment

13. Bellman © 200913 6. Unexpected Learning Learning surprising and not linear A challenging, stretch environment Excitement created by learning together Life & team, not just task, learning

14. Bellman © 200914 7. Strengthened Relationships Intense work and risk connects people Great work leads to great partnerships Work + friendship = deep bonds Groups search for reasons to stay together

15. Bellman © 200915 8. Great Results Tangible and intangible results both important to these groups Tangible = Destination important to the group and others outside the group Intangible = Journey important to the group Most excitement and best memories are about intangible results

16. Next… a look beneath this extraordinary performance.

17. Bellman/Ryan © 200917 Groups in Human History  200,000+ years of living in groups  5,000+ years of large organizations  Survive together; perish alone  We are genetically informed to group  Groups are the natural unit of work

18. Bellman/Ryan © 200918 Why Groups Are Important Today Individuals cannot relate to organizations Organizations cannot relate to individuals Individuals can relate to small groups Groups are the way work gets done

19. Bellman/Ryan © 200919 Six Core Group Needs  Accept one’s self while moving toward own Potential  Bond with others while pursuing common Purpose  Understand Reality of the world while making an Impact

20. Bellman/Ryan © 200920

21. Bellman/Ryan © 200921 ACCEPTANCE: Knowing and appreciating myself for who I am. I know who I am and what I bring—strengths and weaknesses. I can express who I am to myself and others. I accept myself for who I am right now.

22. Bellman/Ryan © 200922 POTENTIAL: Sensing and growing into my fuller and better self. I sense that I could be more. I am drawn to my possibilities. I want to learn and grow.

23. Bellman/Ryan © 200923 BOND: Connections among us that create a shared sense of identity and belonging. We create a safe space for each other. We know who we are together. We each play our parts.

24. Bellman/Ryan © 200924 PURPOSE: The reason why we come together. We are committed to a common purpose. We influence each other. We count on each other.

25. Bellman/Ryan © 200925 REALITY: Understanding and accepting the world as it is and how it affects us. We are alert to the world around us. We are intrigued with our world. We accept our reality.

26. Bellman/Ryan © 200926 IMPACT: Our intention to make a difference and our readiness to act. We want to make our world better. We need each other to make a difference. We are powerful together.

27. 27

28. And… there is more… Bellman/Ryan © 200928

29. Bellman/Ryan © 200929 Beauty: Wonder, Healthy, Vibrant, Sweet, Rare, Lovely Discovery: Innovative, Rare, Audacious, Daring to Dream Possibility: Positive, Hope, New, Pushing to Limits, Magical Power: Enabling, Empowering, Confidence Self: Natural, Worth, Awareness, Best, Higher, Alive Challenge: Difficult, Problems, Irritating, Hard Work, Intense Rewarding: Appreciation, Recognition, Fulfilling, Results, Win Fun: Hilarious, Crazy, Good Time, Play, Happy, Laughter Bond: Community, Tribe, Social, Unifying, Joined, Welcome Energy: Amazing, Incredible, Juiced, Exhilarating, Charged, Wow

30. Bellman/Ryan © 200930 Are you more hopeful about yourself, your group, or your world? Do you feel changed by this experience? Did this experience energize you or your group? Do you feel more deeply connected to your group or the world around you?

31. Bellman/Ryan © 2009 31 Four Feelings at the Heart of Transformation Energized ! Connected ! Hopeful ! Changed !

32. Bellman/Ryan © 200932

33. What Is Transformation? a fundamental shift in individual perception that accelerates behavior change and personal vitality which results from meeting needs. 33

34. Bellman/Ryan © 200934 Transformation Heart-felt Experience Happens One Person at a Time Seldom Happens Simultaneously to an Entire Group Personal Not Guaranteed Can Be Encouraged

35. Bellman/Ryan © 200935 Transformation in… --how people see each other --how they interact with each other --their commitment to each other --the results they achieve and… --their collective approach to work

36. Bellman/Ryan © 200936

37. Bellman/Ryan © 2009 37 FOUR TRANSFORMATIVE FEELINGS EIGHT PERFORMANCE INDICATORS SIX GROUP NEEDS INSTINCTIVE HUMAN DRIVES EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS

38. Bellman/Ryan © 200938 Use Model to Draw out individual and group aspirations Design a meeting or event Review recent or current group experience Coach others in work and life Introduce new concepts and language Clarify the array of outcomes possible

39. Bellman/Ryan © 200939 Use Model to Frame questions about a group’s work Diagnose a group or organization Create a compelling place to work Design an organization for group success Frame a common model of group leadership Maintain personal focus in your work and life

40. Bellman/Ryan © 200940 Geoff Bellman’s Books… Extraordinary Groups. (w/K. Ryan) Jossey-Bass. 2009. The Consultant’s Calling. (2nd ed.) Jossey-Bass. 2002. Getting Things Done When You Are Not in Charge. (2nd ed.) Berrett-Koehler. 2001. The Beauty of the Beast. Berrett-Koehler. 2000. Your Signature Path. Berrett-Koehler. 1996. The Quest for Staff Leadership. Scott-Foresman. 1986.

41. Bellman/Ryan © 200941 Kathleen Ryan’s Books… Extraordinary Groups. (w/G. Bellman) Jossey- Bass. 2009. The Courageous Messenger. (w/Oestreich & Orr) Jossey-Bass. 1996. Driving Fear Out of the Workplace. (w/Oestreich) Jossey-Bass. 1991.

42. Bellman/Ryan © 200942 www.extraordinarygroups.com/extras/ www.extraordinarygroups.com/extras/ blog articles slides more

43. Bellman/Ryan © 200943