1. Unpacking the Ground Rules
to Diagnose and Intervene in
Group Process

2. Assumptions and Inferences
Assumptions
Inferences
Taking something for
granted without verifying
it
Drawing a conclusion
about what you do not
know on the basis of
things that you do know

3. Nine Ground Rules for Effective Groups
Ground Rule # 1: Test
assumptions and
inferences
Ground Rule # 6:
Combine advocacy and
inquiry
Ground Rule # 7: Jointly
design next steps and
ways to test
disagreements
Ground Rule # 2: Share
all relevant information
Ground Rule # 5: Focus
on interests, not
positions
Ground Rule # 8:
Discuss undiscussible
issues
Ground Rule # 3: Use
specific examples and
agree on what
important words mean
Ground Rule # 4:
Explain your reasoning
and intent
Ground Rule # 9: Use a
decision-making rule to
generate commitment

4. Ladder of Inference (Argyris & Schön, 1978)

Take action base on belief

Adopt beliefs

Draw conclusions

Make assumptions

Add meanings

Select data

Observable data and
experience

5. How Do You Apply the Ladder of Inference
by Using Advocacy and inquiry?
Walk “Down” the Ladder
Identify the conclusion
someone is making
Ask for the data that led to the
conclusion
Inquire into the reasoning that
connects data and conclusion
Infer a possible belief or
assumption
State your inference and test it
with the person

6. 3. Decide whether, how, and
why to test your inference
2. Infer meaning
(recognize your
inference)
1. Observe Behavior
4. Describe
behavior. Test for
different views.
5. Share inference.
Test for different
Views.
6. Help group decide
whether and how to
change behavior.
Test for different
views.
The Diagnosis and Intervention Cycle

7. The Diagnosis and Intervention Cycle
Step 1. Directly observe the behavior in the group –
the words that are spoken and the nonverbal actions they make.
(like a video camera would record them!)
Step 2. Infer meaning from the behavior you
observe. Draw a conclusion about something unknown on the
basis of things that are known to you.
Step 3. Decide whether, how, and why to intervene.
You either remain silent or you decide what you will say, and to
whom.

8. The Diagnosis and Intervention Cycle
Step 4. Publically describe the behavior you
observed. Ask the group member(s) whether they observed
behavior differently. If they agree with you, move to Step 5.
Step 5. Publicly share the inference that you made
privately in Step 2 and test it with group members.
You are asking if others see it differently. If it is not seen
differently, move to Step 6.
Step 6. Help group members change their behavior.
Group members need to decide whether or how to change their
behavior to be more effective.

9. The Cycle Continues
0 At Steps 4, 5, and 6, you publically share your
reasoning and intent. TRANSPARENCY!
0 Assuming that group members are willing to
change their behavior to be more effective, the
cycle begins again.
0 As the facilitator, you continue to observe
whether the behavior of group members is
contributing to or hindering the group’s
effectiveness.