DEI Toolkit

Norms and agreements, sometimes referred to as a community promise, are guidelines that communicate the “rules” for the conversation and establish what group members can expect during the discussion.

Norms and Agreements or a Community Promise create a framework for engagement in group settings. They are co-created with the group, and allow diverse groups of people to create the logistical and ideological container for their work. Agreements and norms provide transparent and shared means of interaction, alleviate assumptions, and instill clearly articulated group expectations.

When creating agreements, it is important to reflect:

• What are they?
• Who are they for?
• Who do they protect?
• Who do they privilege?
• Who do they silence?
• What is implied?
• What is said outright?
• How does power show up in the agreements?
• What are the foundational/essential agreements- the non-negotiables?

Other items to consider when developing group norms and agreements are:

• Parking lot/garden: A place to “store” ideas that we do not have time to talk through now and will revisit.
• Virtual environments: How are Zoom, Teams, and other virtual environments different from in-person environments?
• Using “I” statements: Practicing good communication skills; speaking for ourselves and about our own stories.
• Temperature checks: Check in to find out how group members feel about the course of a discussion, decision-making processes, and other considerations of the group.
• Decision-making protocols: Decide how you will make decisions- consensus? Majority rule?

Use these examples to get your group started with the norms-development process, and add in norms and agreements that are meaningful to you. Your group’s norms and agreements can take the form of a shared document, a presentation slide, a poster, or in a format that works best for your group.

• The four agreements of courageous conversation: stay engaged, speak your truth, experience discomfort, expect and accept non-closure
• Lead with love
• Center directly impacted people
• Protect historically and currently oppressed people in this space
• This is a journey
• Drop the mic or step up/step back (If you usually speak first or speak up a lot, try holding back to listen; If you are reluctant to speak up or are frequently listening, try sharing your ideas)
• Progressive stack: allow members of marginalized groups to speak first
• Speak for yourself
• Give each other mutual positive regard
• Use direct communication
• Come to the space teachable
• Open your mind
• Listen for understanding, not response
• Be responsible for what you hear
• Use "I" statements
• Step into and out of the conversation as you need to
• Assume best intent
• Love each other into education

Some groups also create logistical norms to keep virtual and in-person meetings, programs, or conversations running smoothly:

• Ask questions in chat or message directly
• Take bio breaks as needed (water, food, bathroom, etc.)
• Camera on or off as you are comfortable
• Mute when you are not speaking

Center for Creative Leadership. (2023). 10 Steps for Establishing Team Norms. Retrieved from: https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/the-real-world- guide-to-team-norms/

Courageous Conversations. (2023). Retrieved from: https://courageousconversation.com/

Harvard Business Review. (2018). How to Create Executive Team Norms- and Make Them Stick. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2018/01/how-to-create-executive-team- norms-and-make-them-stick

Penn Medicine Academy. Guide to Developing Team Norms. Retrieved from: https://www.med.upenn.edu/uphscovid19education/assets/user- content/documents/leading/guide-to-establishing-team-norms-final.pdf

SHRM Executive Network. (2021). Build Team Norms That Cultivate Allyship, Equity and Inclusion. Retrieved from: https://www.shrm.org/executive/resources/articles/pages/team-norms-that-cultivate- allyship-epler.aspx