liveBook · Manning

Playing rank

As explained in Collaborative Software Design: How to facilitate domain modeling decisions

A facilitation practice of maintaining recognized authority through communication and behavior that fit a group's power symbols.

Playing rank means adapting communication and nonverbal behavior to a group’s symbols of power so recognized authority is maintained and shared with participants. section 6.3.2

Use the practice to:

  • Distinguish explicit rank, granted by hierarchy, from implicit rank, granted by social power. section 6.3.2
  • Learn which behaviors and communication styles signal power within the group. section 6.3.2
  • Adjust your behavior so participants can express themselves and receive some of your authority. section 6.3.2

During a facilitated session

A facilitator observes the group’s power symbols, changes communication or nonverbal behavior to retain influence, and then shares that rank so participants can speak with greater power. section 6.3.2

How Collaborative Software Design: How to facilitate domain modeling decisions covers it

How deep it goes
Defines explicit and implicit rank and explains behavioral adaptation, but does not provide a detailed practice sequence.
Examples
Uses facilitator communication, nonverbal behavior, and awareness of group power symbols as practical illustrations.
What it assumes
Assumes awareness of group power dynamics and distinguishes explicit hierarchy from socially granted authority.
What you can do after
Apply facilitation adjustments that preserve authority while enabling participants to express themselves.
How it connects
Connects social power, symbols of power, hierarchy, self-steering teams, and shared authority.

Related concepts

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Collaborative Software Design: How to facilitate domain modeling decisions. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.