1) The document discusses diagnosing and changing stuck patterns in teams through analyzing structural dynamics and communications using models like the Four Player Model. 2) It provides an overview of structural dynamics theory developed by David Kantor which examines communications on both visible and invisible levels using childhood stories and meanings. 3) The document offers suggestions for identifying stuck conversation patterns, separating what is being discussed from how, and taking actions to change the nature of the discourse and move the conversation forward.

1. Diagnosing and Changing
Stuck Patterns in Teams
Marsha Acker
@marshaacker
Big Apple Scrum Day 2018

2. “The single biggest problem in
communication is the illusion
that it has taken place.”
- George Bernard Shaw

5. What’s a work conversation you want to change?
Who What’s Said?
Person 1 We need these features completed and launched in 3 weeks.
Person 2 We could complete 3 of these, but not all 4.
Person 1 That’s not acceptable, we need them all
Person 2 It’s just not possible, the fourth feature will take more time.

6. ∞ What is Structural Dynamics?
∞ What is the Four Player Model?
∞ What is my most frequent action?
∞ How do you code a conversation?
∞ How do I change the conversation I’m
participating in?
∞ How can I develop this for myself and others?
Agenda

7. Structural Dynamics
“Tone”: The
manner in
which it’s
said
A theory of face-to-face communications developed by David Kantor.

8. Structure Determines Performance

9. Two Realities – Visible and Invisible
Visible
Invisible
© David Kantor, Reading the Room

10. © David Kantor, Reading the Room
Working with 4 levels of structure…
Childhood Stories
MostVisibleLeastVisible
1
2
3
4
Meaning

11. © David Kantor, Reading the Room
Kantor 4-Player Model

12. Common Stuck Patterns
M
M
M
M
Serial Move
Courteous
Compliance
Point-
Counterpoint
Covert
Opposition
M
F
F F
M
O
M
O
M
F B
O OM

13. What percentage of your time do you spend…
% % % %

14. Time to practice coding…

15. Fields of Conversation
© Otto Scharmer

17. Don’t let process get in the way of the real conversation

18. What’s the conversation you want to
change?

19. When you find yourself in a stuck
conversation, try this…
∞ Separate “What” from “How”
∞ Find the structural pattern
∞ What action is missing or
needed in the conversation?
∞ What could you do to change
the nature of the discourse?

20. Where can I learn
more?
• Reading the Room
– By David Kantor
• Where did you learn to behave like
that?
– By Sarah Hill
• Blogs @ www.teamcatapult.com
• The Conversation Factory Podcast
http://theconversationfactory.com/podca
st/

21. Let’s Connect!
@teamcatapult2
TeamCatapult
Marsha Acker
@marshaacker
macker@teamcatapult.com Teamcatapult.com
Connect with me @ Connect with TeamCatapult