There is always a tendency for Unity to become conformity, stifling difference. It take courage to buck that trend and represent -- and make the space safe for -- diversity. -- Tom
Unity, Divergence, Diversity, Convergence, Unity -- one or more of these energies shows up with virtually every statement and action in the group. A good facilitator will note the pattern of how these show up in individual, subgroup, and whole group energies -- and what that pattern means for progress on the Purpose -- and facilitate accordingly. (See also Divergence and Convergence Rhythm, Moving Towards Alignment, and Rhythm.)-- Tom
Subgroup and Whole Group, Fractal, and Divergence and Convergence Rhythm are subsets of Unity and Diversity; that is to say, they are part of its "Diversity." ;-) -- wiki
Different aspects of our individual, subgroup and whole group pasts and contexts ground us in either/both our Unity and Diversity. <<"We all came here on different ships, but we're in the same boat now." -- Betsy Rose>> -- Tom
When the group gets inappropriately lopsided on either Unity or Diversity side of the balance, it is useful to ask them questions that make the opposite factor more visible and important. Example: Who here is X? (where X is some characteristic or label, and people raise their hands or stand up, and X is different each time the question is asked). or What do you think we all hope for? -- Tom
Giving diverse people the capacity to function in their favorite mode of expression or learning style, in the midst of shared modes, increases the cognitive/expressive synergy possible from the whole group. -- Tom
The Purpose is the most important Unifying factor in the group. See also Common Ground, which reveals others. -- Tom
Ritual can unite or divide a group, given that people often different ritualistic needs, while ritual (when agreed on) is a powerful cohesive force in the group. -- Tom
Free power can be generated by encouraging a diversity of roles and initiative within the unifying field of the Purpose. -- Tom
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