In this video Diana Larsen and Neal Taylor discuss the team’s simple rules, how to facilitate them during a Liftoff, and which activities could follow on if needed.
What are simple rules?
The simple rules are essentially a short list of rules that the team agrees to.
The term was originally borrowed from complexity theory, but is also synonymous with principles. The simple rules will guide us how to make decisions in times of uncertainty, and importantly, independent of each other.
With simple rules we are trying to define, as simply as possible, some key behaviours of the team that will give us the best chance of surviving as a team and achieving our intentions.
How to facilitate the simple rules during a Liftoff?
One approach is to start a discussion about values. Interview each team member and listen to them talk about what they value in a team, or what they value from doing work together. Facilitate then a discussion whereby others in the team are asked, “what do you understand by this value” (e.g. quality). Through this discussion try to work towards a nuanced view of a value. Once this view has been established the team can then formulate three to five rules, ideally phrased positively and ideally starting with a verb.
Potential follow on activities
Following on, facilitators can potentially integrate the following activities depending on team needs and time:
- Showcase a video of ‘Boid’s Simulation’ to show how complex group behaviour is defined by simple rules.