Currently I am helping an organization develop an internal leadership manual that details culture around the processes and practices in the organization. We look at how to resolve conflict, make decisions, deal with information sharing, and more.

We recently hired a consultant to assist us with improving equity in the organization. During our meeting today asked if they could join in on our next staff retreat to observe our conversations around our leadership manual development. Our tiny staff has been working together now for several months and built a stronger sense of trust–and as a result–honesty through that process.

I was hesitant and tried to vocalize my concern that I didn’t want to create a situation where we were inserting a ‘stranger’ into the process midway (our 3rd out of 5 staff retreats)–and that this could possibly result in a backslide and close down the openness and candor I’ve been able to cultivate.

She understood immediately and said that she agreed after further dialogue, citing the Hawthorn Effect.