Last week I ran a workshop for 8 CEOs who lead national charities. I offered this day as a free introduction to Transactional Analysis – but with strings attached.

I wanted a group to work with, while being filmed in order to produce a short video for my website which would show me teaching TA and would also be an opportunity to get some testimonials.

In this blog I want to talk about the power of clear contracting, and working from an I’m Ok, You’re Ok life position.

I knew what I wanted, and I was happy to ask for it. I had fairly recently launched my new website but I was aware it was not quite finished. A few months ago I had got to know a charity when I worked with their senior management team and so I contacted the CEO and put my proposal to him. He very quickly organised 8 participants from his network of contacts, and the date and details were soon arranged. He saw it as a “win-win” opportunity.

So the procedural level of the contract included timings, venue, the subject of the day – an introduction to TA – and of course the date.

Prior to the programme I sent out joining instructions and a storyboard. The storyboard was very clear in describing how I thought the day would go, how the filming would be done and what I needed from them. I also gave the participants an opportunity to contact me with any queries.

The professional level of the contract was met as I offered protection (the film would not have audio of the group work, only their testimonials) and also that they would have the final say so before the film went public.

The psychological level of the contract was covered when these points were re-iterated at the start of the day, our first opportunity to be face to face.

The day before I had met with the camera man and we discussed how we would work together and what he needed from me and from the group. He then spoke with the group before we started the filming.

We said we wanted lively interaction, lots of energy and for the group to relax. We got just that! And each participant happily gave a testimonial to the camera – and the finished video will soon be available on the website.

We had a fabulous day, the group were so engaged in the subject – they found TA to be a useful framework for development for teams and individuals alike.

If we look at Steiner’s (1974) elements of contracting:

• Competence – I am confident that I had the competence to teach the material. The cameraman was competent in his lack of intrusiveness and the quality of the questions he asked and the participants were competent in their ability to learn
• Valid consideration – the group got a free development day, I got a marketing tool for my website and the cameraman got paid!
• Mutual consent – everybody was there of their own free will
• Lawful object – we did not and will not, contravene the law

All parties to this contract benefitted – and the experience was enjoyed by all.