Unpacking the Ground Rules to Diagnose and Intervene in

Group Process

ADLT 675, November 18, 2014TiME Program

Assumptions and Inferences

Assumptions

Taking something for granted without verifying it

Inferences

Drawing a conclusion about what you do not know on the basis of things that you do know

Ground Rule # 1: Test assumptions and

inferences

Ground Rule # 2: Share all relevant information

Ground Rule # 3: Use specific examples and

agree on what important words mean

Ground Rule # 4: Explain your reasoning

and intent

Ground Rule # 5: Focus on interests, not

positions

Ground Rule # 6: Combine advocacy and

inquiry

Ground Rule # 7: Jointly design next steps and

ways to test disagreements

Ground Rule # 8: Discuss undiscussible

issues

Ground Rule # 9: Use a decision-making rule to generate commitment

Nine Ground Rules for Effective Groups

Take action base on belief

Adopt beliefs

Draw conclusions

Make assumptions

Add meanings

Select data

Observable data and experience

Ladder of Inference (Argyris & Schön, 1978)

Identify the conclusion someone is making

Ask for the data that led to the conclusion

Inquire into the reasoning that connects data and conclusion

Infer a possible belief or assumption

State your inference and test it with the person

How Do You Apply the Ladder of Inference by Using Advocacy and inquiry?

Walk “Down” the Ladder

1. Observe Behavior

2. Infer meaning (recognize your inference)

3. Decide whether, how, and why to test your inference

The Diagnosis and Intervention Cycle

4. Describe behavior. Test for different views.

5. Share inference.Test for differentViews.

6. Help group decide whether and how to change behavior. Test for different views.

The Diagnosis and Intervention Cycle

Step 1. Directly observe the behavior in the group – the words that are spoken and the nonverbal actions they make. (like a video camera would record them!)

Step 2. Infer meaning from the behavior you observe. Draw a conclusion about something unknown on the basis of things that are known to you.

Step 3. Decide whether, how, and why to intervene. You either remain silent or you decide what you will say, and to whom.

The Diagnosis and Intervention Cycle

Step 4. Publically describe the behavior you observed. Ask the group member(s) whether they observed behavior differently. If they agree with you, move to Step 5.

Step 5. Publicly share the inference that you made privately in Step 2 and test it with group members. You are asking if others see it differently. If it is not seen differently, move to Step 6.

Step 6. Help group members change their behavior. Group members need to decide whether or how to change their behavior to be more effective.

The Cycle Continues

0At Steps 4, 5, and 6, you publically share your reasoning and intent. TRANSPARENCY!

0Assuming that group members are willing to change their behavior to be more effective, the cycle begins again.

0As the facilitator, you continue to observe whether the behavior of group members is contributing to or hindering the group’s effectiveness.