GroundRules for Teamwork LO2792

Jeff Petkevicius (Coach-P@on-ramp.ior.com)
Wed, 13 Sep 95 14:29 PDT

I'seen some requests recently for groundrules for meetings. I've been
collecting lists and have compiled the following. In thinking about the
ideas, they are actually good operating affirmations as opposed to
"rules". Let me know what you think and what is missing to make it a super
list.

Jeff
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Teamwork Ground Rules

* We participate as fully and as openly as possible, while honoring the
privacy of others

* We give feedback directly and openly in a timely fashion, and we provide
information that is specific and focuses on the task and process and not on
personalities.

* We use our time wisely, starting on time, returning from breaks and
ending our meetings promptly.

* We come to our meetings prepared with information and materials that are
required for the meeting.

* When fellow members miss a meeting we share the responsibility for
bringing them up to date.

* We focus on our goals

* We avoid sidetracking, personality conflicts and hidden agendas.

* We acknowledge problems and deal with them.

* Within our group, we have the resources we need to solve any problem
that arises. This means that we all contribute.

* We respect different ideas. We are supportive, not judgmental

* We are each responsible for what we get from this team experience.

* We ask for what we need from our facilitator and the other group members.

* We encourage others to share ideas in small and large group sessions

* The feelings of all participants are important

* We focus on what the team will gain, the strengths we have, rather than
what individuals fear they will lose.

* We respect that everyone brings something of value, talent, skill,
resources, understanding, etc., for a more effective, efficient
organization.

* We operate all meetings with an agenda

* Everyone is expected to help facilitate the meeting and keep it on track

* Job titles are left at the door.

* We address the process not the individual

* We communicate effectively. One person talks at a time and all others
listen with the commitment to understand the speaker's message.

* We rotate responsibilities

* All action items are clearly defined, assigned and scheduled to a
specific Owner to complete and report back to the group. No hanging
clouds.

* We do not accept the first idea, we go for the second and even a third
before making a decision.

* We build each other up and encourage one another.

* We summarize the meeting and get agreement on the action items and Owners

* We set the agenda for the next meeting before breaking up.

* We have fun.

* We are open to new ideas, change and the unknown, that's the definition
of an adventure.

* We show willingness and comfort in making decisions and acting

* We act to benefit the whole company

* We are all involved in cross-functional work

* We show willingness to pitch in and help

* We take problems directly to the right person for decisions and action

* We Coach, support and encourage other employees in making effective
decisions and taking actions

* We seek and share new information

* We create an environment to actively learn from each other

* We are willing to admit failures, We have the courage to review them and
the maturity to learn from them.

* We transfer learning into effective action for our customers

--
Jeffrey C. Petkevicius
Author: The Unchained Worker -
Principles of Ownership in the Workplace
ISBN: 0964520435

Cybernetix Inc. Teamwork, Ownership and Empowerment Coaching in the Workplace. 6619 North Cedar Road, Suite #101 Spokane, WA 99208 USA

email: Coach-P@on-ramp.ior.com HOME PAGE: http://www.ior.com/~jeffp Voice: (509) 325-2249 (800) 517-4268 FAX: (509) 467-9573