Comments to: crs@uvm.eduReviewed as of 4/20/98
THIS DOCUMENT WAS PRODUCED BY THE NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM. IT IS POSTED BY THE CENTER FOR RURAL STUDIES FOR PUBLIC
USE. THE CENTER FOR RURAL STUDIES ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE CONTENTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, REFER TO THE USERS GUIDE.
EXERCISE EIGHTEEN
Blocks to Developing Trust and Effective Communication
Non-verbal and cross-cultural communication have been discussed
because they relate directly to the development of trust within a
group or board. Without trust among the membership, the group will
most likely not be effective or satisfying. The following exercise
joins the two concepts--trust and communication--and helps group
members become aware of and talk about some of the blocks that
prevent members from communicating and trusting each other.
This exercise has been used not only within specific groups, but
also with mixed groups that didn't know each other. In one case it
was used to help prepare community organizers who were about to
begin their work in different communities. They used the exercise
to share their past experiences and observations. Keep in mind as
you read and use this material, that custom tailoring an exercise
to suit your own needs can make a simple exercise a learning
success, even with a sophisticated group.
1. Make copies of the list of "Blocks to Developing Trust and
Effective Communication" which follows and hand them out to
everyone, including the facilitator. Also, before the session,
copy these directions on a large piece of newsprint so everyone can
see them.
2. Everyone should read through their copy of "Blocks" and then go
back and check off the five items that appear to be the most
serious to them.
3. Divide the whole group into subgroups of four or five people.
4. In the subgroups, each person should share her/his reasons for
choosing the five "blocks" that were selected as the most serious
for your group. (Be sure to allow at least 15 minutes and most
likely more for this section. Be sure to have whoever facilitates
check out the group to see if they are finished before you move on
to the next section. Many times groups get so involved in this
task that they may refuse to stop.)
5. Each person now has three minutes to recheck and change their
list in light of the group discussion. (You may find that some of
the subgroups have come to a consensus and will decide to vote as
a block.)
6. Each person has five votes to cast for the "blocks" they
consider to be most serious. Tally the votes and decide which five
blocks the group has chosen as most serious.
7. Return to the subgroups (most people will most likely still be
in their subgroups). The next task is to develop one or more
helpful ways to overcome each of the five selected blocks to trust
and communication. (Allow 8 to 10 minutes, less if the people
finish quickly.)
8. For a final round of sharing with the group as a whole, have
someone record on newsprint the various ways the group developed to
overcome the selected blocks.
BLOCKS TO DEVELOPING TRUST AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Poor communication and a lack of trust are often the result of a
number of combined factors. The following is a list of some of
those factors. Please check five items that you believe are the
most serious BLOCKS to communication and trust building in your
group If you have others you wish to add to the list, please do
so.
1. Cultural differences exist between members.
2. Professional differences exist between communicators.
3. Communicators have different beliefs.
4. The speaker does not agree with what is being said or the
policy behind it.
5. The speaker or listener is preoccupied.
6. The speaker or listener have very different vocabularies
and jargon.
7. People are unintentionally unable to say what they mean.
8. The speaker has little knowledge of the subject.
9. Either person is inadequately prepared.
10. There are economic/class differences between individuals.
11. The listener is not interested.
12. Status differences (staff/client, leader/member) exist
between communicators.
13. There are negative feelings between communicators.
14. One person tends to always agree with everyone.
15. Someone is unintentionally miscommunicating.
16. There exists some sort of interference or distraction.
17. Time pressures exist.
18. A difficulty in communicating difficult concepts or ideas
exists.
19. The same words have different meanings to different group
members.
20. Communicators belong to different ethnic groups.
21. Differences in age exist between group members.
22. Great differences in life experiences and educational
background exist.
23. People have different goals, objectives, and agendas.
24. (Add any others)
Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98