When we work with groups in ‘scenario planning mode’, we are often looking for tipping points – issues that can have a massive knock on impact, such as the emergence of the ‘information superhighway’ that the Hemingford Scenarios in the early 90’s spotted early.
And thinking personally, does your life have a defining moment? Stephen Fry talks of a decision his whole life ‘hinged’ upon, see this from a local Norfolk paper.
Tags: choices, innovation
Out last blog was on change.
In the meantime we have been watching this video on The Story of Change with a client…enjoy!
Tags: change
Through the next few blogs we will explore a couple of things
1) How we differ: starting with a fundamental orientation – do we focus on the needs of others or ourselves (in a moment, a conversation or more long term) – and moving to a few tools (like MBTI)…got you curious? Hope so….
2) And a framework with 3 simple categories, that we find makes a difference when working with colleagues and clients: structure, process and patterns of relating….a way of designing, improving, understanding.
More soon…
Tags: communication
Idenk is 6 years old this month…
So 6 online things – maybe lessons or refreshers
2 popular blogs: learning from events and thinking through options for action
2 business briefings that people like: on organisational purpose and planning meetings
And a couple of older best bits (we are told) from our web site: on ‘being your own consultant’ and getting desired behaviours into practice.
Tags: communication
Over the last few weeks I have given a number of presentations sharing our 10 signs of an effective team. I have presented these in a form of a checklist to guide professional practice. Surgeon, Atul Gawande, makes a powerful case for the impact of checklists to inform the reliable work of pilots, engineers and operating theatre staff. Checklists, he says, are useful in situations where there is low ignorance (ie people tend to know what they SHOULD do), but a high propensity for ineptitude (ie failing to apply what is known).
The next three idenk digests will list the first 3 items in our 10 point checklist for great team working. Before that, take time to think
1) What checklists do you, your team, your professional tribe or your organisation already use?
2) Where might checklists to codify and standardise be useful?
Tags: organisation, working life
Fast fashions…
1) Guys in pink shirt and pinstripe jackets with jeans
2) Girls in denim shorts and black tights
3) Croc shoes
Classic looks
1) Black jeans and polo necks
2) Denim jackets and white t shirts
3) Converse shoes!
And in business what are the fads passing through (eg email on hand held devices) vrs those valuable ideas worth having around (eg how teams learn)?
The lesson…avoid being the last person into the frivolous new. And look out for the things that will (and do) sustain.
Tags: trends
At this time of economic anxiety and woe, there are still, in the words of Ian Dury, reasons to be cheerful.
Recalling the seminal John Candy and Steve Martin film “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”, yesterday, on Thanksgiving eve, I travelled back from a client event and in just over 10 hours travelled by
– Taxi
– Train
– Underground
– Plane (two)
– Bus
– Car
I needed to manage a tram and ferry to travel by pretty much every sort of public transport!
The reason to be cheerful?
Unlike the film, how smoothly everything went – other than one escalator and one lift failure. I even managed to board an earlier plane for my second leg from Frankfurt airport.
It is easy to forget just how much goes right in the modern world, for those of us with more than minimal resources and who live in stable, developed counties.
The scene:
……you are in a meeting and someone asks for clarification of a term before the discussion can start.
And they wont let it drop. You are not sure if this is a derailing tactic or whether others agree…
What are your options for handling this real situation – or possible meeting nightmare?
What would you say?
What could you say?
We like the model of 6 interventions from John Heron, which might be applied here like this:
THE FACILITATIVE ONES
Cathartic – tell me more
Catalytic – who has (or can imagine) a great definition
Supporting – I know…
THE AUTHORITATIVE ONES
Informative – this is the one we are using today
Prescribing – lets move on, and we will come back to it
Confronting – I am always curious when this comes up, is this a real issue for you or maybe about something else?
This sort of approach reminds me of the scene in 1987 film Roxanne where Steve Martin handles an insult with 20 put downs.
In relation to this ‘definition obsessed’ scenario we got these others from a colleague:
“I’m thinking – does anyone else see the need for a clearer definition”
“Let’s spend a few minutes on tables – how do you define it as we start today – then lets feedback, we can agree what to work with, then get going”
“Lets hear the introductory presentations first and see if that helps us…”
“There isn’t a precise definition – that’s why we’ve gathered a range of people here today…”
What are your ideas? From a multitude of options comes choice…
Tags: communication, meetings
I have just finished watching a recorded documentary on U2 prior to their Glastonbury performance this year. There were a number of strong themes that I hadn’t expected – and that link to ideas around front foot teams!
In 1990 when they went to Berlin to try and re-invent their act, things were hard, but
a) They stuck with it – risking losing what they had to make the journey to the next phase
b) They were honest with each other – about their individual as well as shared struggles
c) They cared for each other – “if one person is unhappy we need to care for them until they are happy again, otherwise we are not, as it says, a band” … we lift the one who is struggling, up”
d) They have been hugely loyal over the years to the wider team of engineers, producers, designers – giving others a chance to develop and grow, and drawing on their skills too.
Inspiration from an unlikely quarter!
Tags: Teams
Copyright © 2006-2020 Hadridge (idenk) Ltd | Website design by karenarnott.co.uk
Building Strategy | Facilitating Events | Supporting Teams | Developing Individuals | Generating Insights
Ross's Pow | Phil's Blog | About Us | Contact Us | Articles | Resources | Assessments | Business Briefing
