Interaction: Working to release the Power of Us...or explaining what is up
After 5 days at the IN2:IN forum this April, I was on top of the world, grinning from ear to ear, and feeling like I had just figured out the secrets of life. It was, I thought, simply to think. Since then, I have been sent on a journey that has had a huge impact on my outlook, and my life.
In reality, many things lead to this transformation currently exploding, from the influence of my very analytical father, to exploring varied meanings and intentions in stories through Great Books, grammar school, Club Jade; and on to my degree, the six sigma course I took last fall, and of course John Hunter's Curious Cat website. It was really a "perfect storm" coming together that has given rise to some dramatic changes in me accomplishing things and increasing my self confidence.
Now, I'm very good at analyzing, sythesizing, or telling results, but I'm finding that I'm not very good at telling stories, which is the easiest way for people to take in ideas, and allow them to decide the meaning or lesson. I learned this from Dr. Ackoff, one of the greatest systems thinkers, and management consultants alive. Since I'm not very good, I will just dive in, with some of the impacts it has had.
Starting with the morning I arrived, I noticed differences. There was an openess and welcome from all these professionals that was unusual. The day's activity was working in a "red pen company". Just imagine a company that produces pens where you need a hammer to get the cap on, and pliers to get the cap off.
How would people act?
What would the building be like?
We were all assigned jobs, with a specific description, and told to get to work. We had 3 minute days in the simulation, then we totaled up how much we had made on sale of the pens. I was an inspector, taking measurements, and delivering to the customer. I dutifully calculated the difference between cap and pen diameters, to see if within tolerence, and dropped the "pens" off with the customer. OF course, we didn't get any parts down to our end until the 3rd day or so. Sound familiar? Perhaps a bit like the companies we work in every day? I know I started my job, with no job description even, just here are some tasks, can you get them done? How much is lost when people start doing the wrong tasks? Or when output does not help the customer, internal or external?
I'll continue the "story" later, as it's getting late. Tomorrow I get to see a panel discussion with Dr. Bellows, speaking more on Enterprise thinking.
In reality, many things lead to this transformation currently exploding, from the influence of my very analytical father, to exploring varied meanings and intentions in stories through Great Books, grammar school, Club Jade; and on to my degree, the six sigma course I took last fall, and of course John Hunter's Curious Cat website. It was really a "perfect storm" coming together that has given rise to some dramatic changes in me accomplishing things and increasing my self confidence.
Now, I'm very good at analyzing, sythesizing, or telling results, but I'm finding that I'm not very good at telling stories, which is the easiest way for people to take in ideas, and allow them to decide the meaning or lesson. I learned this from Dr. Ackoff, one of the greatest systems thinkers, and management consultants alive. Since I'm not very good, I will just dive in, with some of the impacts it has had.
Starting with the morning I arrived, I noticed differences. There was an openess and welcome from all these professionals that was unusual. The day's activity was working in a "red pen company". Just imagine a company that produces pens where you need a hammer to get the cap on, and pliers to get the cap off.
How would people act?
What would the building be like?
We were all assigned jobs, with a specific description, and told to get to work. We had 3 minute days in the simulation, then we totaled up how much we had made on sale of the pens. I was an inspector, taking measurements, and delivering to the customer. I dutifully calculated the difference between cap and pen diameters, to see if within tolerence, and dropped the "pens" off with the customer. OF course, we didn't get any parts down to our end until the 3rd day or so. Sound familiar? Perhaps a bit like the companies we work in every day? I know I started my job, with no job description even, just here are some tasks, can you get them done? How much is lost when people start doing the wrong tasks? Or when output does not help the customer, internal or external?
I'll continue the "story" later, as it's getting late. Tomorrow I get to see a panel discussion with Dr. Bellows, speaking more on Enterprise thinking.