Blocks to Developing Trust and Effective Communication

Non-verbal and cross-cultural communication have been discussed because they relate directly to the development of trust within a group or board.  Without trust among the membership, the group will most likely not be effective or satisfying.  The following exercise joins the two concepts--trust and communication--and helps group members become aware of and talk about some of the blocks that prevent members from communicating and trusting each other.

This exercise has been used not only within specific groups, but also with mixed groups that didn't know each other.  In one case it was used to help prepare community organizers who were about to begin their work in different communities.  They used the exercise to share their past experiences and observations.  Keep in mind as you read and use this material, that custom tailoring an exercise to suit your own needs can make a simple exercise a learning success, even with a sophisticated group.

1. Make copies of the list of "Blocks to Developing Trust and Effective Communication" which follows and hand them out to everyone, including the facilitator.  Also, before the session, copy these directions on a large piece of newsprint so everyone can see them.
2. Everyone should read through their copy of "Blocks" and then go back and check off the five items that appear to be the most serious to them.
3. Divide the whole group into subgroups of four or five people.
4. In the subgroups, each person should share her/his reasons for choosing the five "blocks" that were selected as the most serious for your group.  (Be sure to allow at least 15 minutes and most likely more for this section.  Be sure to have whoever facilitates check out the group to see if they are finished before you move on to the next section.  Many times groups get so involved in this task that they may refuse to stop.)
5. Each person now has three minutes to recheck and change their list in light of the group discussion.  (You may find that some of the subgroups have come to a consensus and will decide to vote as a block.)
6. Each person has five votes to cast for the "blocks" they consider to be most serious.  Tally the votes and decide which five blocks the group has chosen as most serious.
7. Return to the subgroups (most people will most likely still be in their subgroups).  The next task is to develop one or more helpful ways to overcome each of the five selected blocks to trust and communication.  (Allow 8 to 10 minutes, less if the people finish quickly.)
8. For a final round of sharing with the group as a whole, have someone record on newsprint the various ways the group developed to overcome the selected blocks.     

BLOCKS TO DEVELOPING TRUST AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Poor communication and a lack of trust are often the result of a number of combined factors.  The following is a list of some of those factors.  Please check five items that you believe are the  most serious BLOCKS to communication and trust building in your group  If you have others you wish to add to the list, please do so.     

1.   Cultural differences exist between members.   

2.   Professional differences exist between communicators.     

3.   Communicators have different beliefs.     

4.   The speaker does not agree with what is being said or the policy behind it.     

5.   The speaker or listener is preoccupied.     

6.   The speaker or listener have very different vocabularies and jargon.     

7.   People are unintentionally unable to say what they mean.     

8.   The speaker has little knowledge of the subject.     

9.   Either person is inadequately prepared.    

10.   There are economic/class differences between individuals.    

11.   The listener is not interested.    

12.   Status differences (staff/client, leader/member) exist between communicators.    

13.   There are negative feelings between communicators.    

14.   One person tends to always agree with everyone.    

15.   Someone is unintentionally miscommunicating.    

16.   There exists some sort of interference or distraction.    

17.   Time pressures exist.    

18.   A difficulty in communicating difficult concepts or ideas exists.    

19.   The same words have different meanings to different group members.    

20.   Communicators belong to different ethnic groups.    

21.   Differences in age exist between group members.    

22.   Great differences in life experiences and educational background exist.    

23.   People have different goals, objectives, and agendas.    

24.   (Add any others)

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