Building Inclusive Spaces: The Art of Ground Rules in Meetings

Explore Mark K. Smutny’s insightful approach to establishing ground rules in meetings (view as a PDF), a vital tool for enhancing dialogue and understanding in our diverse society. Discover how empathy, respect, and inclusivity can transform group interactions. We share this as part of our Creating Space for Conversations resource page. Mark Smutny is founder of Civic Reinventions.

In a world where conversations are increasingly complex and diverse, setting clear, empathetic, and inclusive ground rules is crucial to ensure that every voice is heard and valued. View The Art of Ground Rules as a PDF here.

Smutny's approach to ground rules, or behavioral covenants, goes beyond mere guidelines. It embodies the best values of an organization such as empathy, respect, inclusivity, and personal responsibility. By reviewing these core values at each meeting and committing to them, group behavior aligns more closely with these ideals, fostering a more empathetic and understanding environment.

An interesting aspect of Smutny's approach is the emphasis on crafting these rules not as mandates but as practices or disciplines, making it more likely for participants to incorporate them into their behavior genuinely. This approach is evident in the suggested ground rules such as taking responsibility through “I statements,” actively seeking diverse perspectives, and respecting all voices without interruption.

In multicultural settings, these ground rules become even more crucial. They ensure that cultural differences in communication, leadership, and power are acknowledged and respected. Smutny's adapted RESPECTFUL Communication Guidelines offer a practical and memorable framework for achieving this inclusive communication.