You may think there is not much to say about tape, but I beg to differ. In fact, over the years I have learned and experimented a great deal with this lovely office supply. In fact, when Covid took hold of the world and pushed most of us online, one thing I really missed was my roll of tape!
A good magician putting on a show and has the audience in awe as they perform their magic. Viewers delight in how it makes them feel and wonder at the mystery of how it all came to be. In reality, magic is the result of a well-planned and executed set of steps and techniques. It is a skillful combination of art and science, without which, there is no magic.
There is little more magnificent in a training than a wall full of contributions from participants. Ideas, drawings, photos, numbers, events, questions, data, and thoughts – it always warms my heart when I know a group collaborated to record, create, share, and discuss what is offered there.
Although there are many reasons for sharing collaborative thinking visually, the collective sharing of a timeline of events is one that intrigues me.
‘Take 20 minutes to move around the room with a partner …’ Those words can be music to the ears of many learners when we have been sitting for a long-time training or they have been in a multi-day event.Â
So why don’t we see this technique used much? Why do we feel we need to stay in the training space and can only use other spaces during breaks and down time? Why do we keep people in their seats so much when we know they are getting tired and distracted?
A well-selected technique can deepen dialogue, increase engagement, generate meaningful ideas, and make work easier. Speed dating is one I love using.
For many of us, wondering aloud can take tremendous courage. This is especially true if it is not invited. The technique “I like, I wish, I wonder” offers a multi-layered process for hearing and collecting input or reflections that are nuanced, fresh, and exciting.
Talking circles, also known as sharing circles, have long been used by Indigenous peoples in Canada, the US, and around the world. They are used to ensure each individual who has gathered in a place has a voice and is fully heard.
Since working from home for more than a year, I’ve been listening to lots of music as I work, typically radio stations generated by some anonymous algorithm. After a few months, however, I was recognizing every song on my playlists of choice – it felt stale and...
Using the right technique at the right time with the right people can touch me at my core. When a technique helps to bring the best outcome for a working or learning session I feel grateful.