As participants we agree to:
Listen Actively.
- Respect others when they are talking.
- Engage from a place of compassion, keeping an open heart.
Replace Judgment with Curiosity.
- Keep an open mind.
Be Mindful of Intent and Impact.
- Anticipate how words may be heard and participate with positive intent.
Be Intellectually Curious.
- Ask clarifying questions to make sure we understand other points of view.
- Move conversation forward as opposed to shutting it down.
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
Share Our Time and Space.
- Be aware of balance in our own and other’s participation; step up or step back as appropriate.
- Respect our limited time together, helping to ensure focused attention on our agenda and discussions.
Prepare to Be “Unsettled” While Maintaining a Safety Net
- Expect and accept discomfort and joy as part of the learning process.
- Value opportunities to be “unsettled” by ideas and thoughts.
- Use agreed-upon safety supports in the moment—such as saying “ouch,” using a non-verbal cue for a time-out, pausing the topic if it feels too invasive, asking for clarification, or self-excusing if you feel too taxed to continue.
Speak from Personal Experience and Engage Ideas Respectfully
- Share your own experiences and opinions using “I” statements; do not generalize beyond yourself or speak for others.
- When offering a challenge, respectfully challenge ideas—not people—by saying “I disagree with that thought/idea” rather than “I disagree with you.”
Honor Confidentiality and Trust
- Uphold a spirit of confidentiality—trust that personal stories and experiences shared here are privileged and not shared outside of the meeting; individuals may share their own experiences, but not those of others.
If at any time you feel you cannot participate according to these agreements, please contact the facilitator for support.
We will understand participation to mean assent to these agreements.