Working the White SpaceWorking the White Space

High Performing International TeamsTeam Language and CommunicationTeam Language and Communication

17th September 2009 York

Carissa BubCarissa Bub

15 years Communication

experience

Organisational Relationship Systems

Coach (ORSCC)

Clients multinationals, governments, Coach (ORSCC)

and Team Coachinternational leaders

and leadership teams

NLP Master Practitioner and Professional Practitioner and Executive Coach

(CPCC)

Professional Broadcast Journalist

AgendaAgenda

Wh t i Whit S ?What is White Space?

A Relationship Systems Coaching perspective A Relationship Systems Coaching perspective

Meta – communication of TeamsMeta – communication of Teams

The 4 Horseman of the ApocalypseThe 4 Horseman of the Apocalypse

Other toxic team behavioursOther toxic team behaviours

Antidotes and getting help

White Space

V ft i i h ibl f th Whit S

White Space

Very often no one is in charge or responsible for the White Space

The important handoffs between functions are happening here..... .....

In the White Space things often "fall between the cracks" or

"disappear into black holes",

resulting in misunderstandings and

delaysb ac o es , delays

To manage the White Spaces is a way to improve process performance of an organization..... it is very often the area for the greatest potential for organisational improvementthe greatest potential for organisational improvement

Relationship Systems CoachingRelationship Systems Coaching

C t i i t ti l l ti hi• Creates conscious intentional relationship

• Sees a team as a single living dynamic entityg g y y

• Reveals system to itself so it can naturally correct

• Coach the web or “Third Entity” not the individual

• Works with ‘Voice of the Team’ • Works with Voice of the Team

– Deep Democracy needed for high performance

• Offers meta-skills to support meta-communication

• Raises awareness of how to bridge the White Space• Raises awareness of how to bridge the White Space

ORSC continued

• Builds on Systems Thinking Social Intelligence • Builds on Systems Thinking, Social Intelligence positive psychology & OD

• Supports leadership & virtual team performanceSupports leadership & virtual team performance• Develops conflict competence

“Everyone is right but only partially”

Meta – communication is universalMeta communication is universal

Teams need to know how to increase positivity in order to

i d ti itTrust and communication

increase productivity are key positivity strength factors

The Four Horseman of the Apocalypsep yp

The 4 Horsemen Exercise

• BlameDefensiveness• Defensiveness

• ContemptSt lli• Stonewalling

...Are normal communicationbehaviours until set inpermanentlypermanently

John Gottman The Seven Principles that make a marriage work

Team Toxic BehavioursTeam Toxic Behaviours

Blame Defensiveness

Stonewalling Contempt

Team toxins exerciseTeam toxins exercise

In small groups1. Start in Blame box

– What sort of things do you hear people say here? p p y

– What physical action is associated with blame?

– What does blame look like on – What does blame look like on others?

– After hearing criticism & blame the natural reaction? natural reaction?

2. Move to Defensiveness box3. Repeat the questions 4. Move to Stonewalling and repeat 5. Move to Contempt ask the questions

one last time

Your Team

• Where do the 4 Team Toxins show up at work or on • Where do the 4 Team Toxins show up at work or on your team?– What situations trigger them?gg

• What Team Toxin are you most likely to use? – What situations trigger it?

• Make a plan for how you will handle it differently in the future. – What will you do to avoid using the toxins?

• Come up with at least 2 ways you could increase positivity on your jobpositivity on your job

Other toxic communication stylesy

• Silence • Violence• Silence

M ki

• Violence

• Masking• Avoiding

• Convincing• Controlling

• Withdrawing • Labelling

AntidotesAntidotes

• Blame • Blame ...that sounds likeI feel...when you... I wanty

• DefensivenessPractice 2% rule and be open to influence

• ContemptI feel, I wantMake a commitment to stop or request person stops

• StonewallingCh k t if fl d d if t ti d b kCheck to see if flooded, if yes request a timed breakThink about what want to say and return I notice you went silent/walked away are you feelingI notice you went silent/walked away...are you feeling

Other ORSC tipsOther ORSC tips

• Create intentionality by designing a team alliance• Create intentionality by designing a team alliance– What atmosphere or culture do we want– What do we need to flourish– How do we want to be when it gets hard– What can we count on from each other

• Increase trust by stating intention to be transparent• Address behaviours with a plan to support change• Listen & feel the energy of the relationship Third Entity

– on teleconference calls & in meetingsN th 4 h– Name the 4 horsemen

• Increase positivity through acknowledgementS l th l bl bl 69% t l• Solve the solvable problems 69% are perpetual

Carissa Bub07980 744 726

carissa@bubworks.comThank you....Questions?