This is the second in a four-part series about the SANE Agreement. Read Part 1.
You implement the SANE Agreement process and notice things aren’t always getting done. Or maybe you think the SANE Agreement is ridiculous. Both excellent. Whether you are playing with this process or not, what exactly is happening when things are not getting done? Or when you are frustrated someone didn’t follow through with what you thought they were going to do?
It’s a missing agreement or a broken agreement. The source of misunderstandings and disagreements comes back to a missed or broken agreement. Every time. Really. Every. Time.
The Missing Agreement. This is when no conversation occurred about an action plan. Or assumptions were made about an action. Either way there is a lack of clarity. What is supposed to happen? Who is responsible that it gets done? And by when should it be done? What, who, when. If any of the pieces is missing, the outcome is left open for interpretation and assumption. There is no SANE Agreement.
The Broken Agreement. The agreement is made! It’s clear! And yet the action didn’t happen. This is a broken agreement. First, let me state clearly that life happens. Sometimes priorities need to shift. From the lens of the person waiting for the result, it is important the first time this occurs to address the situation with generous assumption. Generous assumption means the intention was good. Extend grace and check in with the person responsible. From the lens of the person responsible for the result, if you know you can not meet the agreement it is necessary to communicate. Ask for help. Amend the agreement. The point here is that everyone is accountable to the agreement.
The SANE Agreement is a crucial part of any highly effective and happy group, team or culture. Momentum, trust, integrity, and accountability all start building with this system. It is a foundational process I teach in detail at Yellow Door Culture Camps, including what to do if someone is continually breaking agreements.
Next up:
Part 3. When Nobody Wants to Who
Part 4. Stay SANE Everywhere