Discussion 05: Ethical, Cultural, and Group Management Issues

Hello Everyone!

Discussion: What is one ethical, cultural, or group management issue you recognized in the room? What would you do to handle it?

One ethical issue I noticed in the room was the unwelcoming nature of many participants. When a member/listener enters the room, I've seen that some people form their own group of individuals and continue conversing without even saying hello or welcoming the newcomer into the chatroom. This makes the chatroom exclusive, and members/listeners are hesitant to participate in the conversation when they are ignored. I would greet them, and Moderators should greet everyone that enters the room to make them feel welcomed, and by doing so, the other members of the chatroom generally greet the visitor as well.

One of the most common cultural issues I've noticed in the chatroom is people's desire to talk in their own language. Some people begin speaking in their local or other languages rather than English; as a result, persons who do not speak or know their language may feel uncomfortable engaging in the chat, making the room exclusive. I'd send a polite reminder in the chatroom to speak only in English in rooms so that everyone feels included and the chatroom retains its inclusive tone.

One group management issue I've noticed in the chatroom is when two members get into a dispute over a disagreement about a fact. One of them was fine with it, but the other saw it as a sign of disdain for them. In this circumstance, I would listen to the views and opinions of both of them, assess their circumstance, and then make a decision after reaching a common ground, that suits both of them.

Thank you

Be the change that you wish to see in the world.

Discussion: What is one ethical, cultural, or group management issue you recognized in the room?

I've honestly witnessed all the issues mentioned by other people , and these are all equally off putting , one issue that I'd like to throw some light on is Some members forming cliques , own groups and talking while ignoring other people coming in , I understand some get fond of and grow close to those they interact regularly with, but it does create a very unwelcoming and exclusive environment, where new people joining might feel uncomfortable to participate in chat .
What would you do to handle it?
What I usually do is welcome everyone entering when I am active in the room , greet them and try initiating chat through ice breakers, as more people get involved I try to initiate chats referring to "everyone" so that all feel encouraged to participate and avoid and reduce the personal chats as much, to create a more inclusive and involved space .

What is one ethical, cultural, or group management issue you recognized in the room? What would you do to handle it?

Some members who join in feel lost. To handle it, it is needed that they are not only welcomed but informed about the ongoing subject of discussion in the room.

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I noticed that sometimes some people talk about things that might make other people comfortable regarding ethical, or cultural differences. In order to handle things properly, I have noticed that trigger warnings can help since they can give warning to the listeners and other members in order to give them time to appropriately respond. Additionally, showing respect in all cases is also important regardless of sensitive issues.

@ASilentObserver

What is one ethical, cultural, or group management issue you recognized in the room? What would you do to handle it?
one issue i have noticed is when people use excessive cursing and don't censor the words, which can be triggering for others and it can also be rude, especially when used towards other people. one thing i can do to handle it, is to remind the guidelines to the person and to ask them to stop using such language in the room, and if they do not stop, i will ask for a moderator to handle the rest of the situation

@ASilentObserver
What is one ethical, cultural, or group management issue you recognized in the room? What would you do to handle it?

The issue i have noticed the most in the group support rooms is rather interesting. We focus on cliques and other groups, But there is a borderline conflict always present between the mods, Listeners and members. It might be stemming from mod hate, unprofessional behavior or cliques, But at times it can get quite troublesome for everyone. Mods are there to take part in the conversation, but unknowingly turn into enemies and if you stay and notice, you will surely feel like there is a war going on between the members and the mods. And listeners, well those which are already there for a long time sometimes forget the role, they go on chatting with time like 1-1s and forget the true purpose.

The solution might be simple enough, spread awareness among the members that mods and leaders are there as equals, and are there to help and support. Refreshers for mods regarding the issue might also help and lastly for listeners, before they are given access to group support rooms, please add another requirement :- Training them about their role in those rooms.

Discussion: What is one ethical, cultural, or group management issue you recognized in the room? What would you do to handle it?
Ethical issue: Not having any solid shared basis for ethical consideration amongst moderators and all participants at large,
Due to Cultural differences and Lack of Management directions.
To describe the issue via examples:
LGBTQ+ related chat going on in a room,
Member A, says something invalidating and lowkey queerphobic because they are unaware.
Member B: Objects to their statement.
Mod: Please use your mute bottons.

^A cultural issue and gap.Which can be excused when the Member A is showing confusion or actually participating in the discussion and is willing to communicate, is not passive agrressive or impolite.
Mod/supporter should add " Member A I can see your intention wasn't to be hurtful, Member B I can understand why you are upset" If the conversation deescalates that's it, if it doesn't then the mod can say: " I think we should move on from this topic as it's not conducive to support and is causing conflict in the group, you all can use appropriate feedback/reporting channels to address it further, also you can exercise your mute bottons"

LGBTQ+ related chat going on in a room,
Member A, claims to hate LGBTQ+ openly queerphobic, disses other members.
Member B: Objects to their statement.
Mod: Please use your mute bottons.

^A group management issue, the lack of sensitivity and proper directions
The Mod is unable to recognize it being an issue, they further silence the voice of Member B and invalidate their hurt. They allow member A to carry on with their hate, as long as it doesn't cause a stir in the group.
Priotity issue: what is the priority? Smooth group or ethical standards of 7cups?
Mod should tell Member B to not continue their statements as 7cups does not tolerate that kind of behavior.
Mod should allow the healthy LGBTQ+ conversation to go on, provide a safe space and let the room process it, the mod can move the room on from that conflict casually by picking up the conversation where it left off.

The Mods need some protocol to follow based on inclusiveness and understanding, like a thumb rule of not shutting down LGBTQ+ voices, If members are saying something is wrong, even if the mod is unaware, they can remind the member to be supportive.
I as a room supporter can follow these guidelines too, except for warning members part and asking the room to move on or deleting any wrong messages.

This lack of ethics issue permeates in all topics and all discussions. A guide on everything is not possible but dealing with such situations with more care, patience and being mindful of the impact you can have is the key. 7cups should make their ethical standards on some issues more clear.

@asilentObserver @Asher @kindLemonade

What is one ethical, cultural, or group management issue you recognized in the room?

While hosting a discussion new members and listeners enter the room. They come and go and most of the time that's not a problem, but sometimes members who are despearate or upset about something come in and interrupt the discussion. They want immidiate attention and answers from the hosts or there are some that don't answer the questions but talk about other things.

What would you do to handle it?

This issue takes away the focus of the discussion and the flow can be disrupted. What I try to do is gently tell them I hear they might need help, suggest where to find it such as 1-1 with a listener, a member room or offer them to send me a PM depending on what situation it is. Then I also might suggest they join in the discussion to get distracted from what is bothering them. I find these things works most of the time.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

When we are active in the rooms, we often ourselves have our own perceptions, believes, etc. Some topics are strong to our values or culture. I sometimes see mods that don't seems being "neutral" because they "take part" and can defend an opinion more than an other one. and we can not realize all the time when the discussion is interesting and active.
Members with a different opinion may feel you are biased, or is defending an other member, while you are not. Sometimes it can even escalate into conflict. and then we either try to justify ourselves and lets them know we are not taking parts or defend anyone - which is just seen like engaging in conflict or using our authority (we are always seen a figure of authority as a leader) - or like me, remove myself from the situation, and lets someone neutral take the chat.
A way to prevent it, is to keep strong boundaries and make sure to acknowledge ideas different from your as valid, and identify as early as possible when its better to remove yourself.
And even when it's two members argue on something, if you shared your personal opinion, then its best to let an other mod intervene on the conflict, get backup, and not trying to intervene yourself because you will maybe be seen as taking part of a member more than other. We are a team, and it's okay to ask for backup, or use strategic switch of mod to deescalate quickly a situation. Cultural conflict can include a lot more than religion and politic. it may touch even the more basic topics such food (eg vegetarianism vs not), environment choices (having a car vs using public transport), etc.

@ASilentObserver

Discussion: What is one ethical, cultural, or group management issue you recognized in the room? What would you do to handle it?

One of the main group management issues is cliques and new members feeling left out. I would handle it by turning the discussion to a group discussion and ask an icebreaker to the group or something relevant to the topic if there is a guided discussion happening in the room.