1. There are three parts to a group: the Presenter, the Group, and the Individual within the group.

All three need to be taken into consideration. Each is dynamically linked to the other.

2. What is the size, length and familiarity of the group?

Size: the number of participants; length: how long the group will be together; familiarity; how well do the members know each other. Each of these factors affects the dynamic of how the group will operate.

3. A group looks for safety.

'Public' or newly formed groups are more individuals than a group. Initially it is the presenter's job to provide safety. Once the group forms, then it is no longer the presenter's group. It becomes the group's group and the group provides its own safety.

4. Groups are made up of sub groups.

It's helpful to identify what the possible sub groups are and who's a member, e.g., 'humor,' 'smart,' 'experienced,' 'skeptical,' 'gender,' 'engineers,' 'IT,' 'sales,' 'management,' 'union,' etc.

5. A group is organic.

Every time a new member is introduced, the dynamic will change, especially if the new member threatens to take the position held by a member already present. Be sensitive to the sub group a new member may be part of.

6. Groups have leaders.

A leader is someone who gets the group's attention either before the meeting starts through reputation/accomplishments or during the meeting through content and process (how they interact). How the presenter responds to a leader affects how the group responds. The presenter can acknowledge directly (a look and gesture as the presenter makes reference to the person's status and the group as a whole recognizes the deference); or indirectly (a gesture without looking at the person as the presenter makes a generic reference to expertise and the group doesn't recognize the deference).

7. Groups have barometers that represent the health of the group.

An individual is a barometer if they have these three qualities (1) are a member of a sub group; (2) they react sooner/quicker/before the sub group and represent how the sub group will react in time; (3) you can easily read the person's reactions. Barometers are a signal for safety and possible reaction so the presenter can preempt any problems or questions.

8. Acknowledge resistance.

Over-acknowledging can actually stimulate the problem. Under or not acknowledging runs the risk that listeners may feel left out or not 'heard.' Acknowledge on the level that fits the resistance. This can circumvent a later attack.

9. Groups unconsciously connect content (what is said) with location (where the presenter presents).

For healthy group dynamics, the presenter must be able to 'locate' issues using gestures, e.g., 'Over here we have the problem, over here we have three possible solutions. What happens when we bring the solution and the problem together?'

10. Groups need to breathe.

Breathing is one of the most important and least understood indicators of group health. When a person is breathing high in the chest, their movements are jerky, they are stiff, and they have difficulty learning and expressing themselves. When a person is breathing low (their belly), their movements are fluid, they can be still, and they think, learn and express themselves more easily. As a presenter, when the group or individual is breathing high, your permission level is low. When they are breathing low, your permission level as presenter is high and the group is more open.

About the Submitter:

Submitted by Robert Knowlton, who can be reached at mailto:coach@successoptions.com, or visited on the web at http://www.successoptions.com The original source is: This list is extracted from the work of Michael Grinder, www.michaelgrinder.com.

Copyright 1997, 98, 99, 2000 Coach U

This content may be forwarded in full, with copyright, contact, and creation information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit context. For other uses, permission in writing from Coach U is required. Questions: email topten@coachu.com