For this blog entry, I will describe a situation in which my needs and the group goals were not in alignment and reflect on the resolution to this problem.

In Schein’s book, Process Consultation Revisited, the author details the importance of the alignment of individual needs and group goals.  When individual or personal goals do not align with the group goals, not much can get accomplished. As Schein describes, an individual whose goals within a group are not expressed may take a “wait and see” approach to the group projects. The individual may be worried that their personal needs will not be met within the group and will hold back on project commitment, time, talent, or resources as they wait to determine if the group goals will accommodate their needs.  Schein suggests that time be allotted for each group member to explore what they want to get out of the group or to have the group acknowledge the needs of the members. (Schein, 1999) Sharing creates mutual understanding and mutual understanding breeds alignment. Groups with individuals meeting their needs wind up moving faster to the common group goal while members needs are satisfied.

An example of group alignment is in the Disney movie Finding Nemo.  In the movie, Dory and other fish are trapped in a fishing net being hoisted toward the surface. The fist are struggling, swimming in many directions and not accomplishing their goal – escape from the net.  Nemo, outside the net, has an idea and Nemo and his dad encourages all the fish to have one goal – swim down!  The fish must be persuaded to see the value of the effort and soon begin to see as more and more fish stop swimming frantically everywhere and start to swim down in unison.  The result is that all the individual needs are met by the fish group goal of escaping the net.

For my experience, a situation I have recently had in which my goals were not in alignment with the group goals occurred in a work group.  As a work group, we were formed to complete projects, but each of us had a different idea of what and how to accomplish our goals.  Louder personalities continued to dominate the conversations and the group alliances shifted along with the group goals.  My goals and personal needs continued to be different from the rest as the group shifting and settling continued because in watching the dynamics unfold, I didn’t know how to get them to understand my needs and goals. I began practicing the “wait and see” approach as the situation grew uncomfortable.

I have been reading and thinking about Chapter 9 of Process Consultation Revisited, regarding interpersonal processes and methods of solution.  I saw my group and myself reflected in the chapter and felt that I knew what was wrong.  I had to state my feelings and needs clearly.  The abrasiveness of the group had continued to be a problem and stressor for me and for each other until today actually. Things just quieted down today and the meeting began peacefully.  I felt that now was the time and tried out the intervention and I stated my needs towards my goal and the group goal and they understood.  In fact, mutual understanding was expressed and we all talked about our needs which were all different but all created internal personal conflict.  Suddenly, we were able to move past the issues that were impairing us, and I felt better and relieved for it.  My goal and my needs now gel with the group goal overall and it feels like alignment is now happening. It has been a source of much frustration and anxiety, and now there is truly a sense of understanding for everyone and a weight has been relieved.  I hope it stays that way and as we move forward.  I just have to Keep Swimming as we all Swim Down.