(c)2022 by Christopher Allen (@ChristopherA) Licensed under Creative Commons CC-BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0) — www.LifeWithalacrity.com
Derived from the Group Works Pattern Language, 3rd Edition (2019) (c)2019 Group Pattern Language Project — www.groupworksdeck.org
The goal of this list was to turn each Group Work pattern into a positive and actionable statement, that was sufficiently concise to fit inside a Chinese fortune cookie.
Category names are Bold-Italic; Keystone patterns for categories are in Bold
- Intention: As a group, focus on your larger purpose and goals, and set clear intentions for your work.
- Purpose: Clearly define and communicate your group's purpose to guide decision-making and ensure progress.
- Commitment: Foster persistence and follow-through by clarifying roles and responsibilities, and completing tasks.
- Invitation: Invite participation and engagement from all group members to ensure that diverse perspectives are included.
- Priority Focus: Identify and prioritize the most important issues and actions to ensure that your group's efforts are focused and effective.
- Setting Intention: Clearly define and communicate your group's intention to guide decision-making and ensure progress.
- Context: As a group, be aware of and respect the broader context and circumstances of your work, and create a supportive container for your engagement.
- History and Context: Consider your group's shared history and context to inform decision-making and enhance understanding.
- Aesthetics of Space: Enhance the energy and creativity of your group by carefully designing and arranging your gathering space.
- Circle: Use a circular gathering space that allows everyone to see and be seen, fostering sharing and equal participation.
- Gaia: Recognize the interdependence of all elements within your group and the larger system, and act in a way that supports the whole.
- Group Culture: Cultivate a positive group culture that values diversity, open communication, and collaboration.
- Nooks in Space and Time: Encourage unstructured time and semi-private space to nurture creativity and relationships.
- Power of Place: Choose a location for your group event that significantly impacts the group's energy, attentiveness, and connection.
- Whole System in the Room: Consider and include all relevant stakeholders and factors in your group's decision-making and work.
- Relationship: As a group, build and maintain quality connections with each other through rapport and authenticity, and address power relations and emotional needs.
- Tend Relationships: Foster positive and supportive relationships among group members to enhance collaboration and productivity.
- Appreciation: Foster a positive and grateful atmosphere to deepen trust and connection among group members.
- Breaking Bread Together: Strengthen community and improve collaboration by gathering for a meal.
- Celebrate: Mark milestones and events with joy and enthusiasm to build group identity and reinforce shared goals.
- Good Faith Assumptions: Assume the best intentions of group members and operate from a place of trust and respect.
- Honour Each Person: Recognize and appreciate the unique contributions and perspectives of each group member.
- Hosting: Welcome and include all members in the group process in a respectful manner.
- Power Shift: Examine and address power dynamics within the group to adapt authority structures and promote fairness and collaboration.
- Shared Airtime: Ensure that all group members have an equal opportunity to speak and contribute.
- Transparency: Foster open communication and honesty to build trust and improve decision-making.
- Flow: Pay attention to the rhythm and flow of the group's work, and adjust pacing and energy as needed.
- Divergence and Convergence Rhythm: Alternate between exploration and synthesis to generate a range of ideas and then narrow down to a focused course of action.
- Balance Process and Content: Pay equal attention to both the content of the group's discussions and the process of how the group communicates.
- Balance Structure and Flexibility: Use structures, such as agendas and time limits, to create safety and focus, while also maintaining flexibility to adapt to change.
- Closing: Formally conclude the group process and mark the transition to the next phase.
- Follow the Energy: Pay attention to the group's energy level and adjust the process accordingly to maintain momentum and engagement.
- Iteration: Review and revise the group's work and decisions as needed to ensure progress and effectiveness.
- Opening and Welcome: Begin the group process intentionally to build enthusiasm and connection among group members.
- Preparedness: Anticipate potential challenges and be ready to adapt as needed to ensure the group's effectiveness.
- Reflection-Action Cycle: Reflect on the group's work and experience to inform future actions and improve effectiveness.
- Rest: Take breaks and allow for rest and renewal to maintain energy and focus.
- Right Size Bite: Break large tasks or projects into manageable chunks to ensure progress and avoid overwhelm.
- Ritual: Use structured, symbolic actions to mark transitions, celebrate achievements, or create a sense of belonging.
- Seasoned Timing: Use judgment and experience to determine the right pace and timing for the group process.
- Subgroup and Whole Group: Balance time for subgroup work and whole group discussion to ensure that all voices are heard and diverse perspectives are included.
- Trajectory: Consider the group's direction and progress over time to ensure that it is aligned with its purpose and values.
- Creativity: Foster creative thinking and problem-solving through diverse processing styles and expressive modes.
- Generate Possibilities: Stimulate creativity and expand the group's options by encouraging a wide range of ideas and possibilities.
- Challenge: Promote critical thinking and creativity by challenging accepted wisdom and conventions.
- Expressive Arts: Enhance creativity and facilitate communication and trust through artistic or creative expression.
- Improvise: Use adaptability and improvisation to effectively facilitate the group process in dynamic or unexpected situations.
- Mode Choice: Choose the most appropriate mode of interaction for the group's goals and context.
- Playfulness: Enhance creativity and relationships through light-hearted and playful interactions that exercise the mind, senses, imagination, and body.
- Power of Constraints: Use limitations and boundaries as a source of inspiration and creativity.
- Perspective: Consider different ways of understanding an issue and be flexible and imaginative in exploring various viewpoints.
- Viewpoint Shift: Encourage group members to explore different perspectives and ways of viewing issues to enhance understanding and creativity.
- Common Ground: Focus on shared agreements and values to make progress as a group.
- Embrace Dissonance and Difference: Validate and respect diverse perspectives and experiences to enrich the group's understanding and creativity.
- Fractal: Reflect on the group's work at multiple levels, from the individual to the whole system, to gain a holistic understanding of the issue at hand.
- Go Meta: Step back and reflect on the group process itself to identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement.
- Seeing the Forest, Seeing the Trees: Balance attention to the big picture and the details to gain a holistic understanding of the group's work.
- Time Shift: Change the timing or duration of the group process to better fit the group's needs and goals.
- Translation: Facilitate understanding and communication among group members with different backgrounds, experiences, or perspectives.
- Unity and Diversity: Celebrate the unique characteristics and perspectives of group members while also fostering a sense of unity and connection.
- Value the Margins: Pay attention to and value the insights and perspectives of group members who may not be in the majority or hold traditional positions of power.
- Modelling: Cultivate skills and responsibilities for facilitators and participants to ensure effective group practice and self-responsibility.
- Holding Space: Provide a safe and supportive environment for the group to explore difficult or sensitive topics.
- Set Appropriate Boundaries: Maintain the safety and integrity of the group by setting boundaries and addressing membership issues with clarity and honesty.
- Model Courageously: Take the lead in demonstrating new behaviors or approaches to inspire others and move the group forward.
- Discharge: Allow group members to express and release emotions in a safe and supportive environment.
- Dwell with Emotions: Acknowledge and attend to emotions in the group process to foster understanding and connection.
- Use Guerrilla Facilitation: Use improvisation and flexibility to facilitate the group process effectively in dynamic or unexpected situations.
- Listen: Practice active and empathic listening to foster understanding and connection among group members.
- Mirror: Reflect back the essence of what someone has said to show understanding and appreciation.
- It's Not About You: Separate ideas from the person who expressed them and focus on working together against the problem or challenge.
- Practice Self-Awareness: Cultivate self-awareness to better understand and manage personal reactions and impact on the group.
- Share Leadership and Roles: Foster shared leadership and rotate roles to promote collaboration and inclusivity.
- Simplify: Streamline the group process and eliminate unnecessary distractions to focus on what is most important.
- Take Responsibility: Take ownership of actions and decisions to ensure that the group is accountable and effective.
- Witness with Compassion: Show empathy and support for group members as they share their experiences and emotions.
- Inquiry & Synthesis: Discover coherence and shared meaning to gather knowledge, identify common threads, and synthesize insights to move toward convergence.
- Inform the Group Mind: Share relevant information and resources with the group to enhance understanding and decision-making.
- Deliberate: Take time to reflect and make thoughtful decisions as a group.
- Distilling: Synthesize and summarize key points and decisions to clarify understanding and facilitate progress.
- Experts on Tap: Invite external experts or resources to bring new perspectives and knowledge to the group.
- Feedback: Provide honest and supportive feedback to help group members grow and improve.
- Go Deeper: Explore the underlying issues and assumptions behind the group's discussions to gain a deeper understanding of the problem or opportunity at hand.
- Harvesting: Reflect on and document the group's work and outcomes to capture learning and insights for future use.
- Inquiry: Encourage open-ended questioning and exploration to stimulate learning and creativity.
- Mapping and Measurement: Use record-keeping and visualization tools to chart progress, clarify understanding, and share group outcomes.
- Moving Toward Alignment: Build shared understanding and agreement through conversations that generate shared stories and decisions.
- Naming: Clearly and directly name what is perceived to bring issues to light and facilitate transformation.
- Story: Use storytelling to communicate ideas, build relationships, and deepen understanding.
- Yes, and …: Use this improvisational technique to build on each other's ideas and create possibilities.
- Faith: Cultivate faith in the group process and in the group's ability to achieve its goals, and sustain commitment to the work.
- Emergence: Trust the group's collective wisdom and allow solutions and insights to emerge naturally through the group process.
- All Grist for the Mill: Embrace all aspects of the group process, including mistakes and tangents, as opportunities for learning and bonding.
- Dive In: Engage fully and authentically in the group process.
- Letting Go: Release attachments to specific outcomes or approaches and remain open to new possibilities.
- Magic: Foster an atmosphere of awe and mystery that inspires creativity and unanimous accomplishment.
- Presence: Cultivate awareness and attentiveness to the present moment to enhance connection and effectiveness.
- Silence: Allow for silence and stillness to create space for reflection, contemplation, and connection.
- Spirit: Foster a sense of purpose, connection, and inspiration to energize the group's work.
- Trust the Wisdom of the Group: Recognize the value of collective intelligence and seek input from all group members to make the best decisions.
Keystone patterns for categories are in Bold
- Purpose: Clearly define and communicate your group's purpose to guide decision-making and ensure progress.
- Commitment: Foster persistence and follow-through by clarifying roles and responsibilities, and completing tasks.
- Invitation: Invite participation and engagement from all group members to ensure that diverse perspectives are included.
- Priority Focus: Identify and prioritize the most important issues and actions to ensure that your group's efforts are focused and effective.
- Setting Intention: Clearly define and communicate your group's intention to guide decision-making and ensure progress.
- History and Context: Consider your group's shared history and context to inform decision-making and enhance understanding.
- Aesthetics of Space: Enhance the energy and creativity of your group by carefully designing and arranging your gathering space.
- Circle: Use a circular gathering space that allows everyone to see and be seen, fostering sharing and equal participation.
- Gaia: Recognize the interdependence of all elements within your group and the larger system, and act in a way that supports the whole.
- Group Culture: Cultivate a positive group culture that values diversity, open communication, and collaboration.
- Nooks in Space and Time: Encourage unstructured time and semi-private space to nurture creativity and relationships.
- Power of Place: Choose a location for your group event that significantly impacts the group's energy, attentiveness, and connection.
- Whole System in the Room: Consider and include all relevant stakeholders and factors in your group's decision-making and work.
- Tend Relationships: Foster positive and supportive relationships among group members to enhance collaboration and productivity.
- Appreciation: Foster a positive and grateful atmosphere to deepen trust and connection among group members.
- Breaking Bread Together: Strengthen community and improve collaboration by gathering for a meal.
- Celebrate: Mark milestones and events with joy and enthusiasm to build group identity and reinforce shared goals.
- Good Faith Assumptions: Assume the best intentions of group members and operate from a place of trust and respect.
- Honour Each Person: Recognize and appreciate the unique contributions and perspectives of each group member.
- Hosting: Welcome and include all members in the group process in a respectful manner.
- Power Shift: Examine and address power dynamics within the group to adapt authority structures and promote fairness and collaboration.
- Shared Airtime: Ensure that all group members have an equal opportunity to speak and contribute.
- Transparency: Foster open communication and honesty to build trust and improve decision-making.
- Divergence and Convergence Rhythm: Alternate between exploration and synthesis to generate a range of ideas and then narrow down to a focused course of action.
- Balance Process and Content: Pay equal attention to both the content of the group's discussions and the process of how the group communicates.
- Balance Structure and Flexibility: Use structures, such as agendas and time limits, to create safety and focus, while also maintaining flexibility to adapt to change.
- Closing: Formally conclude the group process and mark the transition to the next phase.
- Follow the Energy: Pay attention to the group's energy level and adjust the process accordingly to maintain momentum and engagement.
- Iteration: Review and revise the group's work and decisions as needed to ensure progress and effectiveness.
- Opening and Welcome: Begin the group process intentionally to build enthusiasm and connection among group members.
- Preparedness: Anticipate potential challenges and be ready to adapt as needed to ensure the group's effectiveness.
- Reflection-Action Cycle: Reflect on the group's work and experience to inform future actions and improve effectiveness.
- Rest: Take breaks and allow for rest and renewal to maintain energy and focus.
- Right Size Bite: Break large tasks or projects into manageable chunks to ensure progress and avoid overwhelm.
- Ritual: Use structured, symbolic actions to mark transitions, celebrate achievements, or create a sense of belonging.
- Seasoned Timing: Use judgment and experience to determine the right pace and timing for the group process.
- Subgroup and Whole Group: Balance time for subgroup work and whole group discussion to ensure that all voices are heard and diverse perspectives are included.
- Trajectory: Consider the group's direction and progress over time to ensure that it is aligned with its purpose and values.
- Generate Possibilities: Stimulate creativity and expand the group's options by encouraging a wide range of ideas and possibilities.
- Challenge: Promote critical thinking and creativity by challenging accepted wisdom and conventions.
- Expressive Arts: Enhance creativity and facilitate communication and trust through artistic or creative expression.
- Improvise: Use adaptability and improvisation to effectively facilitate the group process in dynamic or unexpected situations.
- Mode Choice: Choose the most appropriate mode of interaction for the group's goals and context.
- Playfulness: Enhance creativity and relationships through light-hearted and playful interactions that exercise the mind, senses, imagination, and body.
- Power of Constraints: Use limitations and boundaries as a source of inspiration and creativity.
- Viewpoint Shift: Encourage group members to explore different perspectives and ways of viewing issues to enhance understanding and creativity.
- Common Ground: Focus on shared agreements and values to make progress as a group.
- Embrace Dissonance and Difference: Validate and respect diverse perspectives and experiences to enrich the group's understanding and creativity.
- Fractal: Reflect on the group's work at multiple levels, from the individual to the whole system, to gain a holistic understanding of the issue at hand.
- Go Meta: Step back and reflect on the group process itself to identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement.
- Seeing the Forest, Seeing the Trees: Balance attention to the big picture and the details to gain a holistic understanding of the group's work.
- Time Shift: Change the timing or duration of the group process to better fit the group's needs and goals.
- Translation: Facilitate understanding and communication among group members with different backgrounds, experiences, or perspectives.
- Unity and Diversity: Celebrate the unique characteristics and perspectives of group members while also fostering a sense of unity and connection.
- Value the Margins: Pay attention to and value the insights and perspectives of group members who may not be in the majority or hold traditional positions of power.
- Holding Space: Provide a safe and supportive environment for the group to explore difficult or sensitive topics.
- Set Appropriate Boundaries: Maintain the safety and integrity of the group by setting boundaries and addressing membership issues with clarity and honesty.
- Model Courageously: Take the lead in demonstrating new behaviors or approaches to inspire others and move the group forward.
- Discharge: Allow group members to express and release emotions in a safe and supportive environment.
- Dwell with Emotions: Acknowledge and attend to emotions in the group process to foster understanding and connection.
- Use Guerrilla Facilitation: Use improvisation and flexibility to facilitate the group process effectively in dynamic or unexpected situations.
- Listen: Practice active and empathic listening to foster understanding and connection among group members.
- Mirror: Reflect back the essence of what someone has said to show understanding and appreciation.
- It's Not About You: Separate ideas from the person who expressed them and focus on working together against the problem or challenge.
- Practice Self-Awareness: Cultivate self-awareness to better understand and manage personal reactions and impact on the group.
- Share Leadership and Roles: Foster shared leadership and rotate roles to promote collaboration and inclusivity.
- Simplify: Streamline the group process and eliminate unnecessary distractions to focus on what is most important.
- Take Responsibility: Take ownership of actions and decisions to ensure that the group is accountable and effective.
- Witness with Compassion: Show empathy and support for group members as they share their experiences and emotions.
- Inform the Group Mind: Share relevant information and resources with the group to enhance understanding and decision-making.
- Deliberate: Take time to reflect and make thoughtful decisions as a group.
- Distilling: Synthesize and summarize key points and decisions to clarify understanding and facilitate progress.
- Experts on Tap: Invite external experts or resources to bring new perspectives and knowledge to the group.
- Feedback: Provide honest and supportive feedback to help group members grow and improve.
- Go Deeper: Explore the underlying issues and assumptions behind the group's discussions to gain a deeper understanding of the problem or opportunity at hand.
- Harvesting: Reflect on and document the group's work and outcomes to capture learning and insights for future use.
- Inquiry: Encourage open-ended questioning and exploration to stimulate learning and creativity.
- Mapping and Measurement: Use record-keeping and visualization tools to chart progress, clarify understanding, and share group outcomes.
- Moving Toward Alignment: Build shared understanding and agreement through conversations that generate shared stories and decisions.
- Naming: Clearly and directly name what is perceived to bring issues to light and facilitate transformation.
- Story: Use storytelling to communicate ideas, build relationships, and deepen understanding.
- Yes, and …: Use this improvisational technique to build on each other's ideas and create possibilities.
- Emergence: Trust the group's collective wisdom and allow solutions and insights to emerge naturally through the group process.
- All Grist for the Mill: Embrace all aspects of the group process, including mistakes and tangents, as opportunities for learning and bonding.
- Dive In: Engage fully and authentically in the group process.
- Letting Go: Release attachments to specific outcomes or approaches and remain open to new possibilities.
- Magic: Foster an atmosphere of awe and mystery that inspires creativity and unanimous accomplishment.
- Presence: Cultivate awareness and attentiveness to the present moment to enhance connection and effectiveness.
- Silence: Allow for silence and stillness to create space for reflection, contemplation, and connection.
- Spirit: Foster a sense of purpose, connection, and inspiration to energize the group's work.
- Trust the Wisdom of the Group: Recognize the value of collective intelligence and seek input from all group members to make the best decisions.