Connection Comes First
As we transition to a virtual way of working and meeting, let’s remember that relationships between people must come first. A group can accomplish the task at hand only after the individuals gain a feeling of trust, safety and awareness of who is in the virtual room and why.
Introductions and a Warm-Up are key to establishing each person’s presence and inclusion. People can’t work in the interests of the collective group until they are clear that they will be heard, and their needs and ideas will be addressed. Establishing group ground rules, as we do during in-person meetings, training and collaborative projects are just as important in virtual gatherings; maybe even more so because we can’t rely as much on visual cues. Understanding and relating to each other personally is an essential part of building safety before anyone can work well across different backgrounds and perspectives; time zones and locations. We’ve seen lots of collaborative efforts launch right into tasks such as defining vision, goals and a plan of action before participants feel comfortable with each other, often resulting in time wasted, conflict and disagreement.
Within Dialogue Education, the core principles of SAFETY and INCLUSION are paramount to establishing group norms and expectations. Safety is created through the atmosphere in the (virtual) room, the design of the learning or meeting tasks, the way that dialogue is structured and facilitated; so that participants can take increasing risks within the group process. Some simple ways to establish safety are affirming participants ideas, questions and even their resistance; being transparent about why and how the meeting or learning event is running; and addressing respect and power dynamics within the group.
Adults need to feel included in the learning or meeting process in order to do their best work. Participants need to see that their perspectives matter and to trust that their voice is invited and heard. The use of open questions and being comfortable in waiting for a reply are key facilitator techniques. Facilitators must be sensitive to how the dynamics of gender, age, physical ability, education, ensures that all voices culture, religion, ethnicity and community position influences participation in any given event. Facilitators can watch for balance of voices and perspectives raised in a group; and design and facilitate in ways that intentionally draw on the varied expertise and experience in the group. Working in small groups or pairs ensures that all voices are raised and heard.
