Terri,
> If/when you meet with such a silent group (and I agree with what someone
> else tonight said, that this is certainly not a case limited to the
> workplace; as a former public educator, I had similar moments like this),
> would you persist in trying to draw them out (short of the cajolling)?
> And for how long would you persist, if you would? If, instead, we change
> tactics, does this then creep over that gray line towards manipulation?
> Is there any value in continuing to work with the group, or better all
> around to simply work with the manager and director?
In this case, you got some very loud silence. Before attempting again to
draw this group out, there are some other things I would try. One is to
step back and take a good look at what I am trying to do. If I were able
to do that, what would that do for me that is even more important?
Sometimes reminding myself of my deeper needs gives me new ideas for how
to satisfy them, beyond the (so far) unsuccessful ways I have been trying.
Manipulation has an element of deceit in it. Manipulation means that you
are using methods that would be unsuccessful if people knew your real
intentions. If you are not hiding your real intentions, you probably
don't need to worry about manipulating. The ultimate test is whether you
have actually told people your real intentions.
By all means, work with the group if that offers possibilities. But in
any case, focus your attention on working with the manager and director.
First, they are the people who are experiencing the problem (at least for
now), which means they feel some motivation to solve it. Second, they are
the people who have asked for your help, which means you may be able to
help them. The question is whether they are willing to change what they
are doing. If so, then work with them. If not, there is not much hope in
the situation, and absolutely no chance that working with the group will
solve the problem.
Regards,
Dale
--Dale H. Emery -- Collaborative Consultant High Performance for Software Development Projects E-mail: dale@dhemery.com Web: http://www.dhemery.com
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>