[Ailist] thoughts on working in pairs in small groups

[Edging Leadership]

Lynne and Mike:  

You raise a good point Lynne with the learning around conducting
appreciative interviews in pairs or in more of a "focus group" scenario.
I'm always concerned with the "focus group" approach that one of the
fundamental tenets of AI - that all voices be included and heard- won't be
met.  

I have not had your experience Mike in working with 3's.  Usually in this
scenario, I have the third person be the one to "scribe" the key points from
the interview and let the interviewer devote their full attention to the
interview and responses, however I do encourage that all three rotate
through each position so that each individual gets a chance to tell their
story....

Inevitably, I find that even with a group of 7 or 5, someone doesn't choose
to speak up with more than one other person (comfort level), or doesn't even
get the chance to speak, and as a result their voice isn't heard.  At least
in pairs, individuals have their voice heard by at least one other person.  

I wonder if this has any link to preference of MBTI types (introverts vs.
extroverts)? Perhaps the extroverts would be more inclined to hear from a
variety of voices at one time - vs. the introvert who would likely be more
comfortable with speaking with one other person, or might go along with the
idea of speaking in a larger group, as they can "opt" out of telling their
story?

Laurie Maslak



-----Original Message-----
From: ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu
[mailto:ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu] On Behalf Of Mike Sands
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 12:48 PM
To: Lynne Gilliland-Garber; ailist at lists.business.utah.edu
Subject: Re: [Ailist] thoughts on working in pairs in small groups

Lynne,

You've pressed a hot button with me - (I love it when that happens)

I believe the quality of the connections  and communication - including the
enormous  effect on affect - is absolutely and dramatically elevated in
duets  and it drops very considerably when even the third person is added.
(differential rates of understanding, competitive interruption, threes a
crowd, shame at not understanding, foggier view of the value the listener
adds)

I'm going to watch this thread closely.

I wonder if anyone has done any "scientific research"on this (I'm not too
keen on SR but it can add creidibility)

I believe a major reason AI works is because of the quantum relationship
effect that occurs when two people learn how much value they can by being a
resonant audience and forum.  

People do need to learn how to listen, to learn they can value and enjoy
listening; they need to learn how to talk withut taking away "the floor"
from their partner - how to plant ideas as seeds, not plants.  We have to be
aware of the Brandy Paradox - you can't teach them to love the stuff without
drinking it.  Beautifully, the  AI Discovery Question protocal and report
out pretty much does this. 

Please feel free to share this with anyone who contributes to you directly -
I'd like to see any others views too.


Mike





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lynne Gilliland-Garber" <CoachLynne at comcast.net>
To: <ailist at lists.business.utah.edu>
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 7:56 AM
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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