Common Purpose Conventions
To help our participants to get the most from their experience with Common Purpose, we ask them to respect the following conventions during the course.
These "rules of engagement" have evolved over many years and have proved their worth in helping us to deliver high quality courses. So if you come on a Common Purpose course or attend any of our events we will ask you to adhere to the conventions listed below.
Be open – and open-minded
Be prepared to hear views that you may not normally wish to hear - and be willing to learn something from them. You will certainly hear views expressed from other participants with whom you deeply disagree; we take the view that leaders need to know what other people are thinking, if they are to work effectively across boundaries.
Avoid both giving and taking offence
It is important that everyone feels able to say what they really think. When other people’s views are articulated bluntly or clumsily, we ask you to suspend instant judgment and enter into constructive discussion on them. We also ask you to communicate in a respectful way and to listen to any feedback as to why your ideas or language might cause offence.
Be a leader
Make sure that your contributions are to the point - and be prepared to ask the difficult questions. Speak as yourself. Support fellow participants when they have the courage to go out on a limb. Don’t delegate issues to the Programme Director if the group is better placed to deal with them.
Be engaged – and positive
Show commitment. Make arrangements so that you can attend each event in full, keep to the timings given, prepare yourself well and ensure that you are not interrupted. Be fair and respectful in your dealings with other participants, contributors and alumni. If you can't help someone, say so. If someone can't help you, accept this. Use shared knowledge and experience for positive ends.
Adhere to the Chatham House Rule
For the learning process to be effective contributors, participants and alumni must feel that they can talk openly and gain insights from each other, so we observe the Chatham House Rule.
