increasing participation

1. Use group decision making processes

a. The process needs to be known by everyone, i.e., be part of the "common language" of the system

b. You can teach or rehearse some processes just before using them, making it part of the "common language"

c. Examples of common processes are: Brainstorming & Prioritizing, Force Field Analysis, SWOT, Likes/Concerns/Wishes, Testing, Channeling, Problem Solving Process, Mirroring

2. Use a trained facilitator who will use skills understood by all/most of the participants

3. Provide a common understanding of basic roles (i.e., participant, facilitator, focuser) and the skills that go with each.

4. Use subgroups -- breaking the larger group down into subgroups usually helps increase the participation of those who may be more introverted or hesitant about participating. Sub-grouping is also useful as a way of "jump starting" a team as it begins its work in a new area, on a topic that is difficult to talk about, or when people are tired.

5. Provide time for individuals to write down their ideas before starting work on an issue -- allows some people to think it through before having to say something to the whole team; a variation is to have people fill out a short survey and collate the information for the team to explore.

6. Avoid using team time for updates, reports, information sharing. These activities reduce participation and tend to reduce a team’s energy level.

a. If you need to do the above -- create a participatory process that allows people to respond or engage the report or information, e.g., Likes/Concerns/Wishes

b. Cut down on the time given to information sharing and reports by using a very disciplined process with a time limit for each person and the whole activity; put it in writing, put them at the end of the meeting; separate these activities into a separate meeting that is short and only for reporting (try doing it as a "stand up meeting").

7. Use a norm checking process -- a process for developing, maintaining and changing team norms. Such a process allows the team to participate in deciding how it will do its work (it helps if the team has received some training in team processes).

- reinforce norms that help participation, e.g., no attacks, use of IR (itemized response), if you generate the idea it doesn’t mean you have to do it.

8. Use "warm up" exercises

9. Assign roles - time keeper, making the coffee, etc.

10. Provide positive feedback for participation.

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