BLT Manual

DEVELOP SHARED NORMS

Team norms describe the guidelines or rules that team members follow while interacting with each other. Two types of norms should be developed: procedural and behavioral norms. Procedural norms determine how the team will conduct business (i.e., starting and ending on time, cellphone/computers off during meetings, etc.). Behavioral norms determine how team members will show up and interact with each other (i.e., actively participate, be solution-focused, listen to other viewpoints, assume positive intent).

When establishing norms, consider the following:

Time:

When do we meet? Will we set a beginning and end time? Will we start and end on time?

Listening:

How will we encourage listening? How will we discourage interrupting?

Confidentiality:

Will the meeting be open? Will what we say in the meeting be held in confidence? What can/should be said after the meeting?

Decision Making: How will we make decisions? By consensus? Are we an advisory or decision-making body? How will we deal with conflicts?

Participation: How will we encourage everyone to participate? How can we ensure that our meeting feels safe for all?

Expectations: What do we expect from each member? How do we want to show up each meeting?