Teamwork Guidelines
The Magnificent Seven
Ways to Enjoy Teams and Focus Group
1. Remember team exercises are an opportunity to talk with people, not at them.
When you are in a large group, as we are in focus group, realize that while we will not all contribute equally in a mathematical sense, we need to treat each other equitably. If someone has some observation to make and you've been leading the conversation for a few minutes, graciously yield to the other person. A good ratio in a smaller group conversation is to listen about 75% of the time and talk about 25%. Try not to talk for more than five minutes at a time; more than that and you risk being pedantic. Let the other person set the pace of the conversation.
2. Know that constant direct eye contact is not a necessity.
While most European, West Asian, and Indian subcontinent cultures engage in it, cultures of North Africa, East Asia, Oceania, and some Latin American cultures adopt a more intermittent style of eye contact. It is perfectly fine not to do it if it makes you feel uncomfortable or distracted.
3. Learn how to read other people's behavior.
This can be done by:
4. Listen with the intent to understand.
Try to fully understand how the person feels before you explain your point of view. While this can be a difficult thing to do, people usually respond very well to it, and feel more opening to listen once they know that they're heard.
5. Practice acknowledging and naming others' feelings.
This practice can cause people to quickly trust and like you.
6. Ask before offering advice.
Many gifted and talented people experience a strong sense of social responsibility, or a desire to help out and fix problems. However, sometimes partners in a conversation do not want advice—the best way you can help them is by listening. In this case, it is best to stave off the impulse to help, and allow them to be independent (for better or for worse).
7. Listen to others! Honor the discussion leader's, focus group members', or team's wish to move on.
We have limited time together and often have obligations to homeroom teachers, cafeteria workers, the Related Arts teachers, and guest speakers or families.
When you are in a large group, as we are in focus group, realize that while we will not all contribute equally in a mathematical sense, we need to treat each other equitably. If someone has some observation to make and you've been leading the conversation for a few minutes, graciously yield to the other person. A good ratio in a smaller group conversation is to listen about 75% of the time and talk about 25%. Try not to talk for more than five minutes at a time; more than that and you risk being pedantic. Let the other person set the pace of the conversation.
- Sometimes people are interested in monologues, because they want to learn more about your special interests. If they ask, it's okay to dive right in!
- Monitor their expression and give pauses to allow them to react so that you can adjust the subject or answer questions as need be.
2. Know that constant direct eye contact is not a necessity.
While most European, West Asian, and Indian subcontinent cultures engage in it, cultures of North Africa, East Asia, Oceania, and some Latin American cultures adopt a more intermittent style of eye contact. It is perfectly fine not to do it if it makes you feel uncomfortable or distracted.
- Watch others' hands or feet. (Looking in their general direction suggests you're listening and thinking about what they're saying).
- Sense their body language and posture to get cues about their emotional reaction to what they're sharing.
- Observe their general facial expression instead of concentrating on the eyes.
3. Learn how to read other people's behavior.
This can be done by:
- Watching television shows and observing the faces
- Looking at art tutorials: what do angry faces look like? What do happy faces look like?
- Think through your own facial expression and practice in a mirror. What does interested look like? What does bored look like?
4. Listen with the intent to understand.
Try to fully understand how the person feels before you explain your point of view. While this can be a difficult thing to do, people usually respond very well to it, and feel more opening to listen once they know that they're heard.
- Ask questions to clarify. "She moved the deadline of the presentations?"
- Summarize what they've said. "So, you felt frustrated when your teacher kept cutting you off like that." (It sounds silly, but it works!)
- Ask for their opinion. "Did you think it was fair of the teacher to do that?"
5. Practice acknowledging and naming others' feelings.
This practice can cause people to quickly trust and like you.
- Whether you agree with their actions or not, make it clear that you hear them and sympathize with their troubles.
- Acknowledging their feelings, rather than trying to one-up them, builds lasting connections.
6. Ask before offering advice.
Many gifted and talented people experience a strong sense of social responsibility, or a desire to help out and fix problems. However, sometimes partners in a conversation do not want advice—the best way you can help them is by listening. In this case, it is best to stave off the impulse to help, and allow them to be independent (for better or for worse).
- "Were you looking for advice, because that sounds like something I've done before."
- "Would you like some suggestions on how to deal with that?"
- "I went through a similar experience last fall. Let me know if you'd like any tips."
7. Listen to others! Honor the discussion leader's, focus group members', or team's wish to move on.
We have limited time together and often have obligations to homeroom teachers, cafeteria workers, the Related Arts teachers, and guest speakers or families.