How to Create a Small Group That Works for Everyone

Make Your Best Impression Blog   ·   March 19, 2010

When we first set up our inner group, we found it helpful to agree on some guidelines for how our meetings would be structured.

 We decided to meet at the same time and at the same place every week, and we each committed to the group and to each other for at least six months. We felt we would need at least that much time to establish a real bond of trust, and to get a feel for how effective these meetings would actually be.

 As it turned out, the process was so helpful for each of us that we continued to meet weekly for several years, until a couple of the members moved out of the area.

 In terms of format, we tried various approaches and decided what worked best was to allow each person half an hour or so to share whatever they felt was appropriate about their inner progress from the previous week, or about any new insights they might have come up with.

 Then we took time for comments and suggestions from the other members before going on to the next person. We started the meeting with a different person each week.

 We found that every now and then we needed to change the format of the meeting in order to adapt to the particular circumstances of the members. If one of us was at a critical juncture and required more time, other members would give up their time to the person who needed it most that week. We each knew we would get it back when our day of need came.

 We decided not to bother with refreshments. We didn’t want any outside distractions.  We also agreed that anything we discussed would be confidential.

 We selected a meeting place where there were no spouses or children who might interrupt, and the host agreed to turn off the phone while our meetings were in progress.

 If you’re putting together a group of people who are dedicated to inner development, take some time in the beginning to arrange a format that will work for the members and for the group as a whole. Then be open to changing the structure as the group evolves.