Strategies for positive communication in groups

We identified several strategies for encouraging positive communication in groups from an IL perspective. These include modeling and encouraging vulnerability, making sure everyone is heard, challenging the status quo, and asking pointed questions.

Model and encourage vulnerability

Those who are taking leadership roles in a group meeting can facilitate open and curious communication by modeling vulnerability. This might mean being willing to express that your ideas are not necessarily right and would benefit from other people’s input. It might mean being willing to say you are wrong upon hearing the ideas of others. It can mean using humor and being willing to laugh at yourself. When leaders can be vulnerable, other group members can do the same and this develops a culture of humility.

Hear from everyone

Different people may communicate differently. Some people are very direct and like to say what is on their mind while others like to work their way up to making a point. People even use different words for the same thing, like handicapped or disabled. Early on, as a diverse group forms, it is good practice to check in with everyone about how communication is happening in the group.

Structuring for participation

More formal meetings can be structured to encourage everyone to participate.

• For very active groups, this may involve “queuing up” people (i.e., Maggie, then Tim, then Joyce) to encourage people to talk one at a time.
• Consider communication disabilities and provide accommodations for people to participate.
  • This can include “previewing meetings,” which introduces people to the meeting agenda, or collecting ideas about agenda items prior to the meeting.
  • For meetings using video technology, you might allow users who do not want to be on camera to turn it off.
  • For face-to-face meetings, you can provide note cards for people to communicate in writing if they do not want to speak up.

Challenge the status quo

When the stage is set for curious communication, people can engage in critical thinking that challenges the way things are or have always been done. Curious communication invites people to share diverse ideas for the group to explore. This is the groundwork of innovation.

Ask pointed questions

Pointed questions seek to learn about differences that otherwise may not be apparent. For example, perhaps there are groups in the community that provide transportation for their members who don’t drive. You might ask, “How do people who don’t drive get to your church?”