Constructive Group Dynamics: How to Go from the S.N.I.P.P.Y. Syndrome to a C.L.E.A.R. V.I.E.W.

If asked to look at your work calendar for the week, the odds are pretty good that you have a few if not several meetings already scheduled. Now, if asked how you feel about attending some of those meetings, the odds are even better that you may either roll your eyes, groan or mutter something under your breath. Sound familiar so far? Okay, that was the easy part.

Coming from a background of 20 years in the corporate world, I can readily identify with attending a surplus of meetings. Additionally, I know all too well how employees come to "dread" going to meetings and clearly I fell into that category as well. But now in retrospect, I've come to learn a few things, as we often do once we step back and reflect. After reading this article, you'll have a better understanding of what causes meetings to break down-- (S.N.I.P.P.Y) syndrome and an alternative (C.L.E.A.R. V.I.E.W.).

See if you can relate to any of the following statements:

1. Look, I've invested a lot of time on this idea and
if we can't move on it, I'll have wasted my time. Self-serving

2. We never get anything done in this meeting, anyway. Negativity

3. We have to enforce this policy so people know right
from wrong. Insisting

4. Can you believe how domineering she is in these
meetings--who hired her, anyway? Provoking

5. Given our roles in the company, I think it's obvious
that I should make the final decision. Power driven

6. If you would let others speak once in a while, it would
be helpful. You statement

As human beings, it's easy for all of us to fall into any of these behaviors from time to time. What's more problematic however, is being unaware of our behavior and the effect we have on others in the workplace. As we know, like the "common cold," our attitudes can be contagious. The reason for this is something called the interaction cycle. The interaction cycle addresses how we interact with others and this impacts the quality of our relationships.

The key components of the interaction cycle include:

a. Values/Expectations/Mindset: these form our initial impressions.
b. Selective Perception: a filtering function that only lets in what matches our initial impressions.
c. Feelings: a range of negative to positive thoughts triggered by our perceptions.
d. Action: our feelings ultimately influence our behaviors.
e. Reaction: others respond to us by the way we act, so their behavior is in fact the result of what we send out.

What we know then is that behavior breeds behavior. Now, it's starting to make some sense as to why we and others act as we do. But, the more critical issue is figuring out what can be done.

This brings us to a C.L.E.A.R. V.I.E.W. which is as follows:

C = Concentrate on the listener
L = Listen with the goal of understanding
E = Eliminate judgmental attitudes
A = Actively listen (paraphrase what you believe someone said)
R = Respect differences
V = Value input offered by others
I = I messages (describing someone's behavior and its effect on you)
E = Encourage participation from others
W = Work towards agreement (build on what others say and then add your input)

Wouldn't you rather have a C.L.E.A.R. V.I.E.W. than the S.N.I.P.P.Y. syndrome? Change is a gradual process; however with increased insight and the right tools, we can all make a contribution towards constructive group dynamics. After all, why dread something that we could ultimately look forward to?

Contact information: www.speech-matters.com; dale@speech-matters.com

Dale Klein is a Corporate Communication & Speech Specialist and is the owner of SPEECH MATTERS. When it comes to ensuring you speak with power, professionalism and polish, you'll want to contact Dale Klein to get results at http://www.speech-matters.com or call 518-664-6004.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Top Ten Things About Team Building

People who lead the best teams realise early on that... Read More

The 5 Bes of Motivation

It's not true in every organization, but it is true... Read More

The Top Ten Methods to Create a Successful Work Team

Teams are often useful in situations where the task cannot... Read More

Team Building Survey Reveals Clues, Not Answers

Team Building Question:I'm a manager of a team of 20... Read More

Staying Informed Key For Your Team

We exist in such a rapidly-changing environment. Technology is moving... Read More

Solitude Vs Teamwork!

Irrespective of any given situation, "Team Work Works!" It is... Read More

Leadership ? Do The Simple But Important Things

Why do we human beings complicate things? Is it that... Read More

Dealing with Difficult People: Ten Ways to Improve Your Communications Success

Have you noticed that some people seem to stop listening... Read More

You are Excused from Training

Trainers, please picture this... You are presenting in a new... Read More

Getting Team Discussions Moving in The Right Direction

Group discussions are where much of the creative work of... Read More

Safety First - Five Reasons to Hold a Routine Safety Meeting

Workplace safety is important to all businesses for ethical, legal... Read More

3 Steps To Successfully Build A Team In Any Program

Any x by y matrix plan has one big risk...... Read More

Marche, or How Teams Work.

On the trail in Northern Canada "Marche" was the word... Read More

Feedback For Learning Can Turn Your Team Into Winners

Feedback:Most experts agree both types; constructive and positive feedback are... Read More

If You Can?t See It, They Won?t Do It

Recently, while developing a customer service program, I asked my... Read More

Manage Expectations to Reduce Everyday Frustrations

Just today my partner Russ and I sat down to... Read More

Recruiting Government Workers As Franchisees

Many believe a leaner government promotes better freedoms with respect... Read More

Build a Great Team - Ten Easy Ways to Start!

It's all about focusing on where the best value in... Read More

Building The Winning Team

Winning teams aren't created by accident. Rather, the team or... Read More

Effective Team Building For Organizational Success

"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common... Read More

Top Ten Creative Excursions for Building Effective Teams

The ability to build effective teams is a must for... Read More

Functioning in a Dysfunctional Workplace

Sometimes the greatest challenges lay not within the actions of... Read More

Team Building Celebration Plan -- Perfect For Any Time of Year

When was your last team celebration? Have you been way... Read More

The Team Process

We live in very progressive times, one only has to... Read More

How to Align Your Team through Change

Eight Principles for Purposeful AlignmentEffective teamwork requires individual members of... Read More

Discovering the Truth on MLM

Truth on mlmDid you know that the truth on mlm... Read More

Leadership, Genuine, Meaningful and Productive

One of the best lessons I have learned is the... Read More

How to Turn Idea Squashers into Possibilities

Managing a small business continues to become more challenging. However,... Read More

What Every Manager, Parent, and Teacher Should Know About How to Unify Employees, Families, & Youth

Project Head Start has been successful not only for the... Read More

Downsizing Your Team

Team Building Question:Our office has recently learned that about 20... Read More

Building Teams -You see it everywhere

A college football team has it. A corporation has it.... Read More

Company Picnic Ideas and Planning Tips

The company picnic is a beloved tradition at many firms.It's... Read More

Having Trouble Motivating Others? Try WIIFM

Recently my fourteen-year old son Matt dressed up as Santa... Read More