Lessons From T Groups Part 1

T group(training group) or a human process lab is a space where a group of 8-12 people sit together and learn about human behaviour, with the transactions and events that happen in the here and now. There is no formal structure in the lab and people are not “told” what to do by the facilitators. I have had the good fortune of attending a few such labs and I see it as a powerful learning experience provided one has a willingness to learn from one’s own experience be open to receive feedback. What I learn from the lab was primarily, that every group has certain dynamics operating and while typically as professionals we are more cognizant of the content which is the supposed task of the group-

Process & Content:

Any groups which comes together has a task in hand eg. Learning English literature or a corporate meeting where  managers and directors to decide on providing laptops or desktops for employees.  Obviously the group members of both the groups are possibly concerned with the “content” which is the spoken agenda and task of the group.

There could be huge problems in communication although the language used is crystal clear. Animosity between the English professor and the students in the class may emerge or there could be a heated debate between two parties in the meeting. Now these seemingly  inscrutable or complex problems involve “processes” which require recognition and special focus if the group is to get on and complete the task at hand. In a human process lab, the difference between the two degrees of operating is classified.

Process refers to the actual meaning of the ongoing activity in respective groups. For example the team which is meeting to decide on laptops or desktop , ideally can look at the situation “logically” – analyse the pros and cons and take the decision. However what happens is many proposals are made, but all efforts to arrive at a decision are thwarted. Later the managers realise that the real “issue” was not the machines but rather a struggle for control between the two parties. Like the issue of control, typically in any group various levels of processes would be going on simultaneously in the group as whole and also among individuals.