Sound Options Group

Sound Options Group, LLC has recently partnered with colleagues at Change Matrix, LLC and the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development to launch the Collaboration LAB. This initiative is initially focused on supporting multiple agencies and stakeholders to create Systems of Care (SOC) addressing childrens mental health needs. Th... e LAB provides a range of services and resources that will support effective collaboration and help teams to engage and navigate the inevitable conflict that will show up as they pursue these initiatives. One key distinction informing our work is the importance for teams to effectively balance task and maintenance. Simply stated, task focuses on the work, product, or objective of the team while maintenance focuses on the design and implementation of effective strategies and processes that will facilitate the work of the group. A second key distinction is around the importance of shared learning for teams. I believe that the primary function of any team is to engage in shared learning, to leverage the diverse experience and knowledge of the members. Teams that are not learning together are missing the primary value of collaboration. Too often teams form and quickly begin to engage what they believe to be the work before them. If they do not slow down sufficiently to clarify how they will do the work, the lack of clarity begins to compromise the effectiveness of the group. Expectations are not met and trust begins to come into question. This is a pattern that I have observed time and time again. At the heart of much of conflict are unclear and/or unmet expectations. Effective teaming and collaboration do not just happen but are the result of intentional upfront work by the group. To that end we have identified six conversations for teams who are entering into collaborative initiatives. What is our Purpose or Goal? What are our Roles and Responsibilities related to this purpose? What are our Shared Expectations of each as we pursue this mutual purpose? How are we ...Read More