Saturday, September 1, 2012

Discussion Guidelines # 13



25. Would you be willing to tell what you like about this group process, what is helpful and what is not helpful, and in this way give suggestions for improving future discussions?

This can be one of the most helpful guidelines for the leader as well as for the rest of the group.  If the leader is serious and honest, he or she can model a learning attitude that encourages growth.  I like criticism!  When anyone loves me enough to tell me how I can improve, that person is doing me a favor.  If you find salmonella in my refrigerator and tell me about it, you are not hurting me.  You are helping me.  For a one hour presentation on criticism, you can get my CD, “How to Accept, Invite, and Enjoy Criticism”:  Criticism CD .

When I am leading a meeting, I have the choice of the Amos rule, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3), or the Judges rule, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).  Which rule I choose can make a great difference in the effectiveness of the discussion.

     For the complete list of guidelines:  Discussion Guidelines .