What do snowflakes and Forums have in common?
No, this isn’t the beginning of a cheesy joke. It’s a question with a pretty simple answer: Forums are like snowflakes because no two are exactly the same.
This uniqueness is one of the many things that make the overall experience so special. Your Forum isn’t a carbon copy of another Forum—you’re a one-of-a-kind group with one-of-a-kind members. And it’s not only the individuals that make your Forum unique. It’s also the details of how your Forum operates. As long as all members are aligned on the expectations and processes, your snowflake-esque Forum can thrive!
Exploring the Snowflake-Like Uniqueness of Different Forums
There’s no universally correct way to organize and run a Forum. Yes, there are recommended best practices (and worst practices!). However, different people operate in different ways, so the most important thing is to establish the guidelines and processes to ensure that all members are aligned.
Here are just a few examples of how Forums differ:
- Some Forums have 12 members, some have 4.
- Some Forums collect dues and/or impose fines, others don’t.
- Some Forums are highly structured and strict, some are not.
- Some Forums socialize frequently outside of meetings and retreats, others don’t.
- Some Forums have extensive Norms (we’ve seen a 27-page Forum Constitution!), others are extremely short (we’ve seen a 3-line Constitution!).
Knowing that your individual members are all unique, how do you align everyone into a tight-knit team that thrives together? Over a decade ago, Google performed a study that might help answer this very question.
The 3 Aspects of a Successful Team
In 2012, Google launched Project Aristotle. The study’s goal was to identify what makes a successful team. Researchers thought they had an idea of the criteria for successful teams, and so initially focused on factors such as:
- Age range (or lack thereof)
- Upbringing and education
- Social activities outside of work
- Level of structure (rigid or casual)
What the researchers found, however, was quite surprising: none of those factors mattered. Instead, the two-year study showed that there are three main criteria for strong and successful teams: alignment of expectations, approximately equal airtime, and high emotional intelligence. Like many aspects in life, these criteria transfer well from the business world to your Forum experience.
Alignment of Expectations
Some Forums thrive on a rigid structure, and others are more successful with a looser, less regimented experience. Both philosophies are fine…as long as all members are aligned on what to expect in the Forum meetings and retreats. If some members expect structure and others expect a relaxed environment, the group won’t be able to function effectively.
To ensure your Forum’s alignment of expectations, review your Norms/Constitution as part of your Annual Forum Plan. It serves as a great reminder for all members as they prepare for the next 12 months. And, before you bring in a new Forum member, ask the candidate to read the Norms/Constitution before officially joining your group. As long as they understand and agree with the Forum’s expectations, they’ll be aligned with the rest of the Forum.
Approximately Equal Airtime
Strong and healthy Forums are built on foundations of trust, vulnerability, and respect—and that means everyone has the same amount of time to speak during meetings and retreats. In other words, no one person hogs the floor, and no one person is a reserved or quiet wallflower. Everyone participates and communicates equally.
When everyone has equal airtime, each member feels that they’re truly an involved and contributing member of the group. Some Forums use timers to ensure no one gobbles up more time than anyone else! Equal airtime is healthy and paves the way for deeper connections among the members.
High Emotional Intelligence
The strongest teams—and the strongest Forums—tend to have high emotional intelligence (EQ). Members are good at reading people and picking up the different emotions of the different people in the room, and they’re empathetic to how their fellow members feel. Strong EQ fosters a healthy and supportive environment where members are comfortable opening up and being vulnerable.
To measure EQ, Google’s Project Aristotle used the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test. Basically, this exam shows a series of photographs of people’s eyes, and the test-taker tries to determine what each person is thinking or how they’re feeling. On every single successful team in the study, members scored above average.
Emotional intelligence is a critically important trait of successful Forums as well. Consider asking your Forum to take the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test and bring in their results. If someone doesn’t do well, don’t worry! Their EQ can likely be improved as long as they take steps to better understand and empathize with how other people are feeling, and that can lead to a healthier Forum experience for everyone.
Are You Struggling with Forum Alignment? We’re Here to Help.
It’s not always easy to identify your Forum’s snowflake-like uniqueness. As the experts in EO, YPO, Spousal, and other peer group Forums, our experts are here to help align your members and embrace the beauty of your group’s individuality.
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation about how our resources and services can help your Forum thrive!
Written by Britt Spread