CongruenceInActionXP2005

Congruence in action: individual and team dynamics

One line summary: tutorial about three tools for effective communcation in teams, originated by Virgina Satir and Jerry Weinberg.

Abstract

We often accept someone else's concepts, as we hope they make sense for us in our context. All too often, metaphors from other disciplines are applied to the creation of software (e.g. software engineering, six sigma, lean), without adopters having a deep understanding of what it is that would make the new concept different and applicable to their capabilities and in their local context.

Major problems are just as easy to resolve as "minor" ones. Problems come, just like everything, in fractals. Each small problem is a microcosmos of the larger ones it is part of. The resolution of the problem, both for minor and major ones, depends on completely understanding what the problem is. Once we have understanding, even of a major problem, the solution is a question of just a little corrective push applied in the right place. Virginia Satir created many tools for learning and practicing a healthy balancing act.

The Agile Manifesto states: we have come to value: Individuals and interactions over processes and tools. Tools and techniques are not enough for running your projects, you need 'people skills' as well. We all know e.g. that blaming others doesn't make our projects finish early, yet it is hard to stop doing it.

To assess if a concept truly makes sense for our context, we need to understand the roots of the concept. The tools we explore in this tutorial are based on fractal patterns, meaning, we have to make them our own. Once we have done that, we can use these tools to better understand the application of new concepts in our context, adjusted to our skills and capabilities.

Audience and benefits of attending

Intended audience: Journeyman and Master desiring to co-create healthy futures

Maximum number of participants: 20

In this session, participants learn three tools to improve communication in teams and to help taking a step further towards peaceful, effective projects.

Session Choreography

This tutorial is highly experiential: it has just enough theory and lots of practice.

Duration: full day

Peace within: Congruent action (1 1/4 hour)

"Our challenge now is to develop human beings with values: moral, ethical, and humanistic. For me, this means learning how to be congruent, and that leads to becoming more fully human. When we achieve that, we will be able to enjoy this most wonderful planet and the life that inhabits it." - Virginia Satir

• Experiencing (in)congruence in fun and enjoyable blaming/placating/irrelevant/superreasonable roleplay.
• Sculpting Extreme Values, AgileValues or a set of values you bring.

Peace between: Interactions (1 1/4 hour)

Virginia Satir believed that all levels of human interaction need congruent communication in which intentions align with verbal and non-verbal messages. We explore how humans interact in guided simulations using the Satir interaction model:

Peace among: Changing the way we change (1 1/4 hour)

The first model is called the "hole in the floor" model. In this model, coming up with a decreed "Faster, Better, Cheaper" is expected to just "do it" instantly (figure a). This model is similar to the "oblivious" cultural pattern, a first setting to mark a starting point. But of course, no company really does it that way, because of the realization that it may take some time for people to get used to the "new ways" (figure b). Some "enlightened" managers may understand this and believe they can shorten learning time required by external motivation. With individual learning styles averaged out, we get the "learning" curve" model. In this model, management seems to believe all that is needed to externally motivate creators is by rewards and punishments like a pat on the back, and a lash of the whip now and then or withholding resources.

Mind you, the "pat on the back" motivation works only for a short while, because if we do it too often it might loose it's meaning and the creators will be asking for more money saying "put your money where your mouth is". And we wanted "cheaper", so that's not such a good idea. Withholding resources is a seriously bright idea for keeping control. A definite party pooper in such realities can be finding a sustainable balance between short term and long term effect on creator productivity (figure c). People with self-esteem, your best and most creative problem solvers, will vote with TheLawOfTwoFeet if and when they have experienced you tyranting them in this way three times.

Experiencing the Satir change model in a Ball Game:

Re-entry (half hour)

Smooth and safe return to full consciousness of the world outside we are to return to.

Presenter resume and contact information

Facilitators: WillemVanDenEnde (Changing the way we change), MarcEvers (Interactions), NynkeEtkFokma (Congruent action)

Willem van den Ende

I am currently working as a software developer and coach, based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. I enable organisations to continuously create and add value through software development and deployment. I strive to do only those activities that really add value, to empower myself and others, and to improve teamwork, quality, and pleasure. I recognize that each organisation, team, and individual has a unique context and capabilities. I leverage these capabilities by looking at what works well, and adding to that.

Since 2000, I co-organise workshops, user group meetings and conferences around agile software development, XP and congruent communication.

See www.willemvandenende.com for contact details and information about my services.

Marc Evers

I help developers, customers, and project managers in co-creating value through meaningful projects, through coaching, consulting, and developing software. Since 2000 I co-organize workshops and conferences based on systems thinking, XP, and agile values, principles, and practices.

Nynke Fokma

I provide strategic communications facilitation and integrated marketing services to non-profits and small companies to generate agile business. I help my self and others generate positive commercial benefits by minimizing required amounts of energy and reserve capital and more safely maximizing returned value through in(ter)dependence and collaboration.

See www.moebius.nl for more information.

History of tutorial

The different parts of this tutorial have been run at different conferences.