What is a ‘good film’?
A feature or fact?
Positive or challenging?
Some can cover all bases….this one links nicely to my concern for developing counties, the role of women and carbon (despite the flights involved).
Will be a great film when they have finished it and it is released next year.
I would like to see more high quality documentaries next year – resolution #1 J
Tags: communication, knowledge
Regular readers will know we make a big deal of listening in our blogs – and the links to note taking.
I am just back from the Cambridge River Festival. I was watching a guy teach some kids djembe drumming. He asked them what are the most important parts of our body in group drumming. The answer? Our ears and eyes – so we can pay attention to what others are doing.
Occasionally we teach a bit of percussion or rhythm in our workshops – like that man, we too emphasise the importance of listening to the contribution of others…watching for the cues they make.
Tags: behaviour, communication
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
We like displaying information well – in presentations, online, in records of events, in proposals….
20 years ago I was influenced by the work of Edward Tufte.
And now a really interesting blog and thread on The Guardian website defending ‘bad’ graphics.
Tags: communication
Do you recall the starting titles to the Rockford Files :
“This is Jim Rockford, at the tone leave your name and message and I will get back to you…”.
And do you notice now how few answerphone messages you receive on your landline?
Technology changes around us – often imperceptibly. In the early 70s an answer phone message (and wired phone in a car) was uber cool…and now totally usurped by mini phones that can Bluetooth to anything, and texting and messaging that is used to keep in touch from anywhere…
Tags: change, communication
Here are two key ideas on conflict:
1) Whilst it is a feature which can feel uncomfortable in teams and relationships, it is actually a good thing, useful in generating ideas and refining the way forward
2) It can scare and paralyse – maybe because we know it can lead to long term harm.
This dilemma or polarity is the trickiest thing to manage – and contains a conflict in itself.
There is lots on line about conflict and how to approach and manage it.
One useful idea is the difference between cognitive and affective conflict. This is simply either looking in on an issue and analysing it dispassionately in comparison to being totally wrapped up in the emotions and the moment. In short taking an Emotional Intelligence (EQ) based approach.
One tried and trusted method we find that is useful with groups is use of de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats. If you don’t know have a look on YouTube and Wikipedia. It is simple – and powerful. [But, ironically, it is possible to have conflict about the effort and discipline it takes to practice this craft!]
Tags: communication
Our June business briefing has proved popular. What about this for a case study in responsibility.
Waiting at café for meeting.
A guy takes his gum from his mouth and throws it to the ground.
He goes inside.
He is young.
With a hoodie.
Is he hard?
But he has a Waterstone’s bookstore bag?
Is it his?
Does it have a book in it?
What sort of book?
Jeremy Clarkson?
Something by Wittgenstein?
Options – we like the work of John Heron and use his 6 ways of intervening on our coaching cards (which we can provide if you want one).
In this situation some of the main ways of responding include ignoring it through to confronting the person.
When confronting, trying to get the balance right is important. Not pussyfooting (can I find a bin for you) or clobbering (what do you think you are doing), but achieving the correct balance on the tightrope between those two extremes (excuse me, I think you may have dropped something).
By the way, is the inactive observer just as irresponsible?
Tags: behaviour, communication
A large part of what we have done this year has been online working in virtual teams using WebEx and Skype.
We have enjoyed pushing those technologies to their limits as we design in interactivity with distant groups (more webshop, than webinar).
So this virtual choir blew our minds!
Tags: communication, organisation
In our work – and lives – we find that the questions we focus on are usually more useful than the abundance of easy answers. Taking time to think through to the right question can be very useful – and even fun!
Working to a short, straightforward and significant question takes some effort.
Often a “how” question might be more useful as a “why” or a “what”.
For example
“How do we need to organise this project over the next 90 days to increase its value”
is quite different to
“What would it take to increase the value of this project over the next quarter”
See here for a bit more on our Question Fanning method. This is taught on our Brilliant Thinking Made Easy course. It helps get the scope of a question right (both the subject and scale of inquiry)
For example, ‘project’, ‘value’ and ’90 days’ may not be useful to focus on!
We do believe that as humans we are drawn in the direction of the questions we ask. We see this in science, business and in personal pursuits of happiness.
And a few quotes that pick up the point:
“Always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful question” – e e cummings
“He must be very ignorant for he answers every question he is asked” – Voltaire
Tags: change, communication
In your organisation, how do you share important information?
How is knowledge created and passed about?
Through computer repositories or community conversations…….by digital text or time to talk?
How might you try to do a bit more of the ‘other’?
Tags: behaviour, communication
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