Putting Step 2 into Practice

Putting Step #2 into Practice

1. Ask all participants to write down their hopes—their deepest aspirations—for the group. After a few moments of reflection about what's important, use a bold marker and write one hope per sheet on 8 1/2- by 11-inch paper. Use as many sheets of paper as you have hopes. Your hopes do not need to be currently attainable. Mark those that are most compelling to you with an asterisk.

2. Pair up people who know each other least well and have them ask each other, "Why is your hope important to you?" The listener records what the partner says. Hopes come alive in dialogue with others. Asking people why something is important to them often triggers deeper answers. Both people in a pair should be accurate reporters of what they hear. Don't distract the other person by agreeing or debating, trying to find solutions, or doing anything other than faithfully listening and writing down a summary of what the person says. The process builds goodwill. You'll be amazed at what you learn.

3. Share the hopes with the full group. Identify common themes. If you have a large group, post the hopes on the wall and ask several people to help cluster similar hopes together. Often, the hopes crystallize around several themes: relationships, resources, results, and rewards.

4. Check whether each person supports the hopes of the other participants. Even very divisive groups can agree upon a shared set of hopes. Since the hopes include everyone's perspectives and don't impose a single view, they invite support. One element reflects many perspectives—like the facets of a diamond.

5. Use your hopes to focus your discussions. If your group gathers for several meetings to discuss a topic, read the hopes at the start of each meeting. Have each person read a hope until you have completed the list. This will center the group on its broader purpose.

6. Let go of your need to set outcomes so that your shared hopes can come alive. Trust that something better can happen for your group than the result you may have expected.

7. Use your list of shared hopes to evaluate opportunities and track your group's progress. You'll see how to put your hopes into practice in Steps #3 through #10.

BE AN AGENT OF HOPE

The most powerful thing you can do to reach agreement on even the toughest issues is to help participants in your group discover their deepest hopes. Your shared hopes are waiting to come alive, if only you ask the right questions and listen to the responses.