Acceptance is a critical factor in getting low performers to feel secure in a group assembly. Underachievers are more likely to acknowledge the views of others if they are first accepted “as is” and not pressured to agree as a condition of belonging.

Bridging the gap between attitudinal and behavioral differences requires a purposeful search for a common purpose. One way to do this is to introduce the Group Acceptance Pact (GAP), which is a data gathering process where learning and understanding are sought, where judgment is suspended, and agreement is not a priority. The guidelines listed below provide an opportunity for underachievers to practice self-responsibility in the safety of a supportive group environment:

Keep focused

• Stick to the agenda.
• Don’t bring up unrelated issues.
• Talk about one issue at a time.
• Fully explore each item before moving on.

Speak without blame

• Share only what you know firsthand.
• Be truthful about what happened.
• Avoid faultfinding and finger pointing.
• Seek all the facts before deciding.

Comment without judgment

• Listen to all ideas, thoughts, and recommendations.
• Resist speaking for or against suggestions.
• Avoid using gestures to express your concerns.
• Don’t try to explain one person’s thoughts to another.

Set aside attachments

• Avoid aligning yourself in advance of the meeting.
• Be open to all possibilities during the meeting.
• Leave your personal agenda outside the meeting.
• Don’t lobby others for support in the meeting.

Search for meaning

• Provide explanations as often as requested.
• Encourage comments, questions, and clarifications.
• Look for the best in whatever is said.
• Ask for examples of how things might work.

Acknowledge others

• Encourage silent members to provide input.
• Pay attention to each person as they speak.
• Observe a pause after each speaker is finished.
• Briefly summarize each speaker’s main points.

Participate fully

• Avoid side comments and conversations.
• Don’t interrupt the person talking.
• Take frequent breaks to keep everyone fresh.
• Restrict telephone calls and messages.

Trust the process

• Don’t change the process once it has begun.
• If the process isn’t working, ask for suggestions.
• Ask others how they feel about what is going on.
• Discuss why you feel the process is not working.

The (GAP) greatly enhances the acceptance and implementation of team building, joint decision-making, group problem solving, and collaborative conflict resolution. The payoff comes from those participants who, by practicing self-discovery, no longer fear rejection.

Armed with a new way of working with others, underachievers take on more responsibility. A more equitable distribution of accountability will lead to higher levels of performance which bring more balance to the team and strengthen the member’s respect for each other.