ABSTRACT
One of the biggest barriers to effective communication is the natural reticence of participants to contribute, particularly at the outset of a teaching event. Groundrules are an agreed set of conditions, which the group negotiate and abide by. Their purpose is to allow people to feel confident, secure and relaxed, creating an optimal learning environment. The simplest form of introduction is one in which participants say their name and their place of work, or what their aim is for the day, or one nice thing that has happened to them today, or one non-threatening personal detail. The facilitator announces an unusual fact about him/herself which may be a lie or the truth. The group has to decide whether it's true or false. Participants may be invited to bring a piece of music with them and play a short piece and then tell the group why it is important for them.
