I regularly facilitate an exercise
called “Creative conversations.” This involves two people holding a
conversation using color and form without prior planning or verbal
communication.
Individuals who go into the exercise with a fixed mind-set of a complete
picture that they want to draw get very frustrated when their partners do not
follow their lead. They are usually dissatisfied with the outcome. In contrast,
participants who start without any pre-set idea, who are more open and
tentative find it easier to collaborate together. They also tend to describe
the exercise as fun and enjoyable and are more satisfied with the outcome.
I’ve learned that if we go into any collaboration with an open mind, even
tentatively, this can be both more fulfilling and productive. It results in
better relationships and genuinely shared ownership of outcomes.
It reminds me of two senior consultants I work with. When we are planning
something together they suggest tentatively, using phrases like; “It seems …”
“Perhaps we could …” Their open approach makes me feel my contributions are
welcome and whatever we come up with is “ours.” But it also makes me wonder,
how often am I stressed when working with others, simply because I am so set in
the way I see things or want them to be?
This week, how can you be more
open to working with what others bring to the table?
What
do you need to do more of or less of to be more flexible when working with
others?
