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Establishing Norms

Used with permission from:Dean Gilbert, Science Consultant

Los Angeles County Office of Education(562) 922-6896

Gilbert_Dean@lacoe.edu

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Developing Norms

Effective groups generally have a set of norms that govern individual behavior, facilitate the work of the group, and enable the group to accomplish its task.

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Establishing Norms• To ensure that all individuals have the

opportunity to contribute in the meeting;• To increase productivity and effectiveness;

and• To facilitate the achievement of its goals.

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Sample of Norms1. We will work together as a community that values

consensus rather than majority rule.2. We will be fully “present” at the meeting by becoming

familiar with materials before we arrive and be being attentive to behaviors which affect physical and mental engagement.

3. We will invite and welcome the contributions of every member and listen to each other.

4. We will be involved to our individual level of comfort. Each of us is responsible for airing disagreements during the meeting rather than carrying those disagreements outside the board meeting.

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Sample of Norms(continued)

5. We will operate in a collegial and friendly atmosphere.6. We will use humor as appropriate to help us work better

together.7. We will keep confidential our discussions, comments

and deliberations.8. We will be responsible for examining all points of view

before a consensus is accepted.9. We will be guided by our mission statement, which

focuses on organization and professional development, to enhance success for all students.

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The Seven Norms of Collaboration

1. Paraphrasing- Using a paraphrase starter that is comfortable for you: “So…” or “As you are..” or “You’re thinking…” and following the started with a paraphrase assists members of the group to hear and understand each other as they formulate decisions.

2. Pausing- Pausing before responding or asking a question allows time for thinking and enhances dialogue, discussion and decision-making.

3. Probing- Using gentle open-ended probes or inquires such as “Please say more…” or “Can you tell me more about…” or “Then, are you saying…?” increases clarity and precision of the group’s thinking.

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The Seven Norms of Collaboration

4. Putting ideas on the table- Ideas are the heart of meaningful dialogue. Label the intention of your comments. For example, you might say, “Here is one idea…” or “One thought I have is…” or “Here is a possible approach”…or “I’m just thinking out loud…”

5. Paying attention to self and others- Meaningful dialogue is facilitated when each group member is conscious of self and others and is aware of not only what he/she is saying, but also how it is said and how others are responding. This includes paying attention to learning style when planning for, facilitating and participating in group meetings. Responding to others in their own language forms is one manifestation of this norm.

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The Seven Norms of Collaboration

6. Presuming positive intentions- Assuming that other’s intentions are positive promotes and facilitates meaningful dialogue and eliminates unintentional put-downs. Using positive intentions in your speech is one manifestation of this norm.

7. Pursuing a balance between advocacy and inquiry- Pursuing and maintaining a balance between advocating for a position and inquiring about one’s own and others’ positions assists the group to become a learning organization.

Re-examine Norms from Orientation Norms of Collaboration PausingParaphrasingProbingPutting out ideasPaying attention to self &

othersPresuming positive intentPursuing a balance

between advocacy & inquiry

Meeting Norms Start & end on time Cell phones on vibrate No texting Contribute to discussionsSide conversations at a

minimumRespect others’ comments Challenge your belief

systemTake bio-breaks as needed