Understanding Process
So what IS “process”? See if this gives some clarity to the question.
You are at a meeting with five other people and the topic (content) the group wants to address is how to save on gasoline costs for each of the attending members. There are two extroverts in the group that immediately chime in and share what they have tried. The others in the group operate more like introverts and patiently listen. The ideas that are being shared (content) shows little novel thinking but this doesn’t discourage the extroverts from dominating the meeting for 20 minutes. One of the other four members has some good ideas to share and finally gets to share. Two of the other four are actually doodling in a notebook while the last member of the group is just angry that the extroverts took so much time that she must leave shortly and is not likely to share at all.
The “process” (or dynamic) of the group in the above story is the way the task is being addressed. The process is more subtle and often more important than the content. An unclear, destructive process will sabotage the group’s decisions, diminish the group’s creativity, comfort, participation and commitment levels. Process addresses critical questions such as:
- Who’s actually participating?
- Are the members acting comfortable?
- Is the energy level in the group high?
- Is the trust level apparent among the members?
- Are people having fun?
- Is feedback offered freely and taken in a positive light?
- Are novel ideas given ample opportunity to incubate and be strengthened?
In groups where process is respected and given significant attention, the facilitator moves skillfully between content and process issues enabling a high level of creativity and participation.
THIS is why using creative problem solving as a process significantly enhances the success, energy and commitment in groups and organizations that achieve high functioning and consistent performance.