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Workshop "Warm-up" Activities
Participate in these activities and when relevant, email us your completed exercises. We will include them in our Conference Room so you can see how you compare with others.
Connecting with Invisible Rules
What are the Invisible Rules?
Invisible rules are the values, unspoken patterns of interaction,
rituals, personal preferences, traditions, symbols and work styles that
vary from context to context-- organization to organization. In all
domains of life, in every culture and in every relationship, there are
the rules. Whatever the game is, the rules establish what the limits or
boundaries of the field are and tell us how to be successful within
those boundaries. They tell you how the world is supposed to work.
Instructions: List as many invisible rules as you can within
five minutes. When possible, list the "game" the rule pertains to such
as selling to a customer or how to gain political influence. Go to the form.
The Volcano Method
Close the gap between the Invisible Rules and Formal Policies or
Espoused Values. Another exercise to try is "Identify the
"Disconnects." Here's an example of "Disconnects."
| Spoken Rules (Espoused Values) |
Contradiction |
Invisible Rules |
| Be on time. (Formal Policy) |
Five-ten minutes late doesn't matter. |
The boss comes in whenever he/she likes. |
| To get ahead you must play by the rules. (Espoused Value) |
Rules are different from one person to another. |
Its "who you know," NOT "what you know." |
Select a controversial issue about a formal policy or espoused
value. Ask your working group or team to list some of the related
frustrating invisible rules. Identify the "disconnects" between the
formal policies or espoused values and the invisible rules. Provide
examples in which a person's behavior makes sense in the logic of the
invisible rules.
Rules that Work for Me
Reflection:
Think of a working situation that was very productive, challenging and
enjoyable. Remember the implicit and explicit rules of that time so
that we can create the explicit "rules" we want for this working team.
- How did people work together?
- In what way(s) did you feel you supported by the working group or team?
- What was it about the work that kept you engaged? Challenged? Enjoying the work or project?
- What rules did the group make explicit?. What rules were unspoken but everyone lived by them?
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