[Ailist] thoughts on working in pairs in small groups

[Bill Scott]

Hi Lynne,

I've recently worked with a couple of small groups - one of 10 and the other had 4
members. In each instance, I had them pair up and in both cases, the response was
incredibly positive. To a person, participants said they had a unique opportunity to
have an *in-depth* conversation with a colleague that they never would have had in a
small group. These people emphasized the intimacy and freedom they felt in a pair.

I think the most difficult piece of answering appreciative questions in a small group
is that you do not get the opportunity to be heard straight through. If 5 or 6 people
are answering the questions, no one individual gets fully heard -- the most critical
piece of appreciative processes as far as I'm concerned.

I hope that this is helpful.

Regards,
Bill
 
WJS Consulting Inc
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
wjs.consulting at shaw.ca
604-574-1856
 
Engaging human potential
 
-----Original Message-----
From: ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu
[mailto:ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu] On Behalf Of Lynne Gilliland-Garber
Sent: July 5, 2007 7:56 AM
To: ailist at lists.business.utah.edu
Subject: [Ailist] thoughts on working in pairs in small groups

Please let me know your experience and thinking on having people work in 
pairs when the large group is very small - maybe 5 or 6 people.  The 
last small group (7 people) I worked with some group members resisted 
working in pairs as they thought it was a small enough group to discuss 
the appreciative questions as a group.  I am working with a group of 5 
next week and anticipate the same resistance.  I myself like the pairs 
as it is was to create more intimacy and trust but perhaps I am off the 
mark here.

I look forward to knowing others input on this.

Kind regards


Lynne Gilliland

People Development for NGOs
www.gillillandjud.com


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