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"Facilitating a Team Issue Discussion"

On page 132 Stone presents a, "format for improving the quality and results of issue discussions with any team of which you are a member." The process involves the following:
 * require that an issue be as well prepared as possible before bringing it to the team.
 * to help with this, create and use an issue preparation form that fits your organization
 * help new team members fill out the form and prepare for the meeting the first time or two. You want them to name the issue correctly, present it clearly and succinctly, and put the teams time to good use. New team members appreciate a facilitator who helps them succeed and gain the respect of their peers.

Following those steps are facilitator guidelines for running the conversation and dialogue. There is a chance for the "author" of the issue to present it to the team, time for clarifying questions and solutions, wrapping up of the discussion, and a one-sentence recommendation by the original "author".

This was a brand-new process for me, and I just rewrote it to help cement it in my mind. Structure and process works well for our administrative team, and I can see us using this to help each other when one of us is "stuck" and needs the support/ideas of the entire team. I look forward to trying out this process.