Extraordinary GroupsInstrument Design Focus Group

February 17 and 20, 2010

Welcome & Purpose Thank you for coming!!! Our purpose: Building question stems for a group assessment

instrument to accompany Extraordinary Groups by Bellman and Ryan

What’s in it for you? Work with some great new people and see friends Learn more about survey question development Have a hand in creating a useful tool about an important

subject Think more deeply about Extraordinary Group concepts Experience remote meeting technology

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Agenda Welcome Introductions Overview of book concepts, Part I Writing great survey question stems Explanation of our brainstorming process Brainstorming, Part I Overview of book concepts, Part II Brainstorming, Part II Quick sharing of results Wrap up and Adjourn by 11:30

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Steps in Survey Development TODAY: Draft survey question stems & edit your input Draft the full survey & pilot test it (n>100) Do the psychometric tests on survey to see if it

measures what it is supposed to measure Item analysis, correlations & reliability testing

Modify, re-pilot test (n>100) & re-analyze Finalize survey & administer to very large group (n>300) More psychometrics

Factor analysis and cross-validation Production and distribution (ta-dah!)

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Introductions

1. Name

2. What is your interest in groups? 

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Core Concepts of Extraordinary Groups 6 elements of the Group Needs Model A two-part definition of Transformation that

can happen in a group 8 performance indicators of an extraordinary

group

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Extraordinary Groups, in a Nutshell As humans we have a set of mostly unconscious core

needs (hopes or longings) that we bring to any group we join, in any part of our lives.

When those needs are met by a group…A set of identifiable behaviors or circumstances show up in

the group experienceThe experience can be transformational—and thus

extraordinary! Any group member, leader, or facilitator can

intentionally act in ways that will support his or her group in becoming extraordinary.

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Bellman/Ryan © 2009 8

Life is too short to spend time in groups that do not fulfill their promise.

EnergizedConnected

HopefulChanged

Overview of Concepts, Part I (Feb 17)

Acceptance : knowing and accepting myself for who I am

Potential: Sensing and growing into my fuller and better self

Bond: Our shared sense of identity and belonging

Purpose: The reason we come together

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Overview of Concepts, Part II (Feb 17)

Reality: Understanding and accepting the world as it is (both strengths and limitations) and how it affects us

Impact: Our intention to make a difference and our readiness to act

Transformation 1: A fundamental shift in individual perceptions that accelerates behavior change

Transformation 2: A fundamental shift in individual perceptions that increases personal vitality as demonstrated by feelings of being energized, connected, hopeful and changed

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Overview of Concepts, Part I (Feb 20)

Compelling Purpose : An inspiring and shared understanding of why group members come together.

Shared Leadership: Members lead the group together, taking mutual responsibility for outcomes and the way in which the group works.

Just-enough-Structure: Members develop only the plans, systems, roles and agreements necessary to help them move forward—but not so much as to become bureaucratic or burdensome.

Full Engagement: Members enthusiastically participate in the group’s work

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Overview of Concepts, Part II (Feb 20)

Embracing Differences: Group members see, value, and use their diversity as a strength.

Unexpected Learning: Individual and collective learning exceeds expectations, reaching beyond the work at hand to members’ careers and lives.

Strengthened Relationships: Trust, respect and often friendships grow among group members.

Great Results: Tangible and intangible outcomes surpass members’ expectations.

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Characteristics of Great Question Stems

Single barreled – only asks one thing Behaviorally based – can be observed and agreed upon

by other group members – preferable to opinions Simple, not compound sentence structure Complete sentence, usually structured as a question Relatively short; nonetheless clarity is preferable to

brevity

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Which Question Stem is Better? Why?

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Group members assign me tasks that illustrate that they know my strengths and weaknesses.a.Almost alwaysb.Usuallyc.Sometimesd.Seldome.Never

Stem

Alternatives

To what extent do you think the statement “I accept myself for who I am right now” describes you?a.Describes me exactlyb.Describes me very wellc.Describes me quite welld.Describes me somewhat welle.Does not describe me well at all

Good, Better, Best (Feb 17) To what extent do you think the statement “I accept myself

for who I am right now” describes you? (unobservable -, opinion -)

In groups I willingly offer to do things that I know I am good at doing when they need to be done. (behavioral +, double barreled -, somewhat unobservable -)

When I offer to do things that I know I am good at, group members take me up on my offer and thank me for it. (behavioral +, observable +, double barreled -)

When I offer to do things that I know I am good at, group members take me up on my offer. (behavioral +, observable +, relatively short +)

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Good, Better, Best (Feb 20) To what extent do you think the statement “Other members of

my group care as much as I do about our mission” describes your group? (unobservable -, opinion -)

In my group, members make our work together a top priority and do so willingly. (behavioral +, double barreled -, somewhat unobservable -)

Members do what they say they will do and the group acknowledges those contributions. (behavioral +, observable +, double barreled -)

Members deliver their commitments on time. (behavioral +, observable +, relatively short +)

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Which Question Stem is Better? Why?

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Group members assign me tasks that illustrate that they know my strengths and weaknesses.a.Almost alwaysb.Usuallyc.Sometimesd.Seldome.Never

Stem

Alternatives

To what extent do you think the statement “I accept myself for who I am right now” describes you?a.Describes me exactlyb.Describes me very wellc.Describes me quite welld.Describes me somewhat welle.Does not describe me well at all

Brainstorming Process ON YOUR OWN (7 min)1. Craft 3 – 5 question stems for the concept you are assigned. For example,

self Acceptance:When I offer to do things that I know I am good at,

group members take me up on my offer. 2. Legibly write each stem on one ½ sheet of paper. (We will want to collect

all of your drafts.)

WITH YOUR PARTNER (23 min)3. Share your work and together see if there are ways to improve each

question stem. Write each improved question stem on its own ½ sheet of paper.

4. Pick your best two question stems and make any final changes needed to improve them. Write each on its own ½ sheet of paper; mark these pages with a star. Be ready to share these stems with the rest of the group.

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