The Secrets of Facilitation: The SMART Guide to Getting Results with Groups by Michael Wilkinson

Author:Michael Wilkinson
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2012-08-27T14:00:00+00:00

Level 3 Disagreement: Outside Factors

Level 3 disagreements are by far the most difficult to resolve. Because the disagreement is based on factors that don’t relate to the alternatives, resolution cannot be achieved by discussing them.

What Is the Cause?

Whereas a level 1 disagreement is based on a lack of shared information and a level 2 disagreement is based on different experiences or values, a level 3 disagreement is based on personality, past history, or other outside factors that have nothing to do with the alternatives. Sometimes a disagreement is not at all related to the discussion. Consider the example that follows.

Sample Dialogue: The Nominations Committee

Tom: One of the things I think we can do to improve our board governance is to add one or two board members with strong financial backgrounds. This way, we can better understand the financial ramifications of some of the proposals we’re considering.

Frank: That won’t work.

Tom: Sure it will; we just need to make sure we get the right people.

Frank: No, it won’t work.

Facilitator: You may be right, Frank. Please explain why you believe it won’t work.

Frank: It just won’t work.

Facilitator: OK . . . Well, how might we improve it?

Frank: There’s no way to improve it. It just won’t work.

Facilitator: Help us understand, Frank. Why are you so convinced it won’t work?

Frank: It just won’t work. He thought of it. It won’t work!

An extreme example to be sure. Frank clearly doesn’t want to have anything to do with this idea, and the reason doesn’t seem to be related to the idea. As it turns out, Frank had learned some time ago that when he was nominated to the board, Tom was one of the few people who spoke against the nomination. Since then, any suggestion made by Tom couldn’t possibly work, at least as far as Frank was concerned.

A disagreement based on personality or past history (level 3) often calls for a deeper intervention and cannot be resolved in the typical facilitated session. It is therefore important that you determine the source of the disagreement as quickly as possible to avoid wasting time.

How Is It Recognized?

Level 3 disagreements tend to be irrational. The arguments in a level 3 disagreement don’t seem to make logical sense; in many cases, the arguer doesn’t offer any rationale for the position (as noted in our example). In addition, in a level 3 disagreement, one or more of the parties show no interest in resolving the disagreement, considering alternatives, or convincing the other side. Because the disagreement is not based on the issue, there is little desire to focus on the issue!

How Is It Solved?

A level 3 disagreement cannot be solved by an analysis of the issues. Therefore, SMART facilitators take the issue to a higher source.

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