This may involve bringing in an outside coach. Training in negotiation may also be helpful. The following checklist can be used to evaluate a group's readiness to negotiate through its ability to function as a cohesive unit. It can also be useful during the negotiation for ongoing evaluation and monitoring, both of the citizens' group's internal process and of the external process of the negotiating group. If group members check the first alternative under any of the major headings, the group is well advised to discuss the concern before moving ahead with substance issues.
All members really listen and try hard to understand.
Members are guarded in discussions. Members evidence suspicion of one another's motives. Members avoid arguments, smooth over differences, suppress or avoid conflicts. Members are defensive about their ideas. Members are able to give and receive help.