Glossary of Terms

Active Listener -- An oral reflection of what a person or group said regarding a problem, concern, or issue. Can be used to "check out" ideas, concepts, issues.

Accordion Communication Model -- A method of communication a decision center can use to identify the perspective and gather information from a larger stakeholder group. First, stakeholder groups are clearly identified. Then the decision center interacts with these groups sharing its work and gathering input. Based upon what the decision center discovers, it makes appropriate modifications in its work and then goes out to stakeholders again for another round of interactions. This occurs as many times as a decision center deems necessary to complete its work.

Affinity Process -- A Total Quality Management tool used for the identification, description, categorizing, and prioritization of issues. Uses an internal brainstorming concept.

Behavior -- Ways in which an individual or group acts. Interactions among people as observed by their words and actions.

Brainstorming -- Idea generation. No idea unworthy. No debate or criticism of an idea. Acceptance. Encouragement. Seek understanding later.

Consensus -- When each individual of the group can accept a concept or solution.

Collective Statemen -- Synthesis of all brainstormed words and ideas into a categorized cause and effect, comparison/contrast, narrative format. Identifies commonalties, differences, and conflicts. Serves as group memory. A descriptive statement of group thinking that does not represent agreement.

Consensus Statement -- A statement that has been agreed upon by the group.

Course of Action -- A sequence of acts that an individual or unit may follow to achieve predicted results.

Debate -- Logical presentation of ideas and positions on polar concepts.

Decision Center -- An individual or group that is empowered to make decisions and is held accountable for those decisions.

Fight or Flight -- An old brain behavior used to protect and save.

Grounding -- A technique used to bring a group into the "here and now", identifying ideas and issues, introduce, share information, model listening with respect, and allow all voices to be heard .

Group Environment -- Climate in which a group interacts.

Group Memory -- Record of what happened during a group meeting (tapes, notes, minutes, newsletter, etc.)

Group Think -- When a group agrees for the sake of agreement or to avoid conflict. Stifles creative problem solving.

Listen -- To hear with intention. CBRG listens to understand clients' needs using a variety of methodologies including interviews, gap analyses, focus groups, and surveys.

Listener -- An individual who has been designed to listen to another person or group of people and then repeat back what was heard.

Left Brain -- Hemisphere of the brain used for logical thought and problem-solving (cognitive).

Negative Polling -- Having a group consider a compilation of concepts, actions, or ideas and asking the question, “Is there anything here that you disagree with?”

New Brain -- Newest part of the brain. Structures for adaptation, new possibilities, ideas, and behaviors. Used for learning. Can be taught to control old brain responses.

Old (reptilian) Brain -- Oldest part of the brain. Its role is to save and protect. Based upon instinct and experience. It causes involuntary, automatic behaviors. Often subconscious.

Organization – CBRG works with small to medium size companies as well as departments and divisions within large companies in both the private and public sectors.

Panel Discussion -- Presentation/discussion of perspectives on a situation or issue by individuals representing the diverse nature of a group or population.

Parking Lot Conversations -- Discussions or conversations by group members outside of group in conflict with or undercutting the group, individuals within the group, or the group decision. Cause for mistrust, dissension, and hidden agendas .

Possibility Thinking -- New brain thinking that breaks old paradigms, "breaks out of the box", incorporates "and" thinking, and avoids "either/or" thinking.

Process Observation/Intervention -- Technique where the facilitator causes a group to pause and look at its behavior.

Results – Measurable accomplishments based upon an implemented course of action.

Right Brain -- Hemisphere of the brain used for emotions and feelings (affective).

Systems - Dynamic social, organizational, and technological processes comprised of interdependent parts that work together to achieve results for a whole organization. When Stephen Covey said, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” and “Interdependence is a higher value than independence,” he was referring to systems effectively working in concert to meet the goals of an organization.