WHAT???? How can you do that? Why would you do that?
There are lots of reasons, here’s two:
- BEST ACTIONS TAKEN: The best actions taken happen after a team has time to analyze and synthesize; basically REFLECT upon & HARVEST from their learning and knowledge (journaling is important here). Their new wisdom comes in the form of action steps, really successful action steps.
Successful action comes from a team that really knows what it knows and can connect knowledge in meaningful, purposeful ways. - ENGAGED DIVERSE PERSONALITY TYPES: What about those preferring introversion and extraversion on your team? How might you bring these two preferences together? Journaling followed by discussion, of course! It provides the power to slow the group down and bring these preferences onto the same playing field.
I have a preference for introversion, when everyone starts talking and brainstorming I easily get lost and don't know what I want to say, but if I can go ‘inside’ and reflect, I can act or share my thoughts. That’s where journaling helps, it gives me time to articulate my ideas on paper before all the ideas start flowing; a moment 'within' brings clarity and ideas out. I can then relax and listen to all the ideas, knowing I can quickly access my thoughts and join in the fun of the conversation.
And those that prefer extraversion, they want to think out loud, verbalize their thoughts and ideas, they are excited by other ideas as they connect them. Here, journaling, or reflecting on paper with a pen, gives them a chance to slow down and capture all those wonderful thoughts they verbalize. Ever had someone with an extroverted preference start talking, get excited and talk faster, then ask, ‘what did I just say?’ ‘Who took notes?’ See, they want you to journal for them, but we know it’s more powerful if they journal
themselves.
Engaged team members bring all their knowledge to the team and their unique perspectives, why wouldn’t you want that?
Check out these participant tips from our recent workshop, and get started Facilitating Others Off the Page. And Thanks to this wonderful group of participants who shared their wisdom!
A last thought, a structure that really works:
EXPERIENCE - REFLECT - ACT.
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