Discover and make use of present resources
Always let people start from a personally experienced point of view. This is easy to talk about, and for the listeners it’s easier to relate to an authentic story.
A story like that indirectly shows the others in the group what is important to the one telling the story. And even more importantly: people show their own personal strengths and resources through the stories told.
If you ask your questions right, you can use these stories later as a platform of resources when participants have decided what kind of ideas or changes they want to work on.
When it then comes to making the first steps towards a wanted direction, you are able to rely fully on the competencies and resources that are available in the group of participants.
”What works already”
< Local >
If you have invited people to reflect on the main topic before you meet, you will start with these reflections as an entry when you begin the process.
This example relates to the chapter “Begin before you start”.
Instruction
Take turns in the group and describe: What have you observed in the past two weeks that suggests to you that this company could actually end up becoming the world’s best workplace?
- Where did you observe it, and what happened?
- What does that tell you about the potential of your company (or department or team) – relating to the topic?
Instructions to the listeners
Do not discuss what is being said, just listen and take notes: what is – to some degree – already happening in this company that points in the right direction?
When all observations have been shared, make a joint general list of observations (on a poster) called ”Indicators”, with keywords and short sentences, describing what has been observed.
Now everyone has helped to create a foundation of aspects that are already working well in the organisation. You can occasionally let them return to this later in your program to remind your participants what is already happening that can support their further ideas.
”Discovering resources from scratch”
< Local>
Starting from scratch with people who don’t know each other and who perhaps even come from different backgrounds, this activity opens up for great personal stories of motivation and amazing skills.
Instruction
Take turns around the table and describe: What do you find the most interesting in your life at the moment?
– At work, or in your private life
– Something that might challenge you in a positive way
– Or just a nice successful experience that happened to you recently
- What happened?
- Who was involved?
- What is it that you especially like about it?
Instruction to the listeners
Do not discuss what is being said, but listen and take notes: what good skills or competencies does this person show you by giving this example? What does it tell you about what she is good at?
When all observations have been shared, make a joint general list of existing resources (skills, competencies) in your group.
Tip: if you already have a sign for the group, i.e. a table sign where the number and name of the table is written, you can keep one side blank for the group to write the table’s resources on. That way they will be present at all times, and you can use them continuously throughout your program.
“Real life settings and real life stories always show what resources are already present for you to build on. It’s only a matter of how you look at it.