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Suggest You - Great Groups! - Getting a Group to Think Like a Genius
All management is based on guiding principles; and the effectiveness of management derives from those principles. This is true whether the principles are appropriate or inappropriate, reasonable or unreasonable, consistent or inconsistent. Similarly, the derivative nature of management holds whether the guiding principles are vague or well-defined, followed faithfully or haphazardly, applied day-to-day by managers who are highly skilled or fundamentally incompetent. Effective management, then, is a product of:• Guiding principles that are appropriate, reasonable, and consistent;• Managers who clearly understand the guiding principles, faithfully adhere to them, and who are fundamentally competent.It follows from this that the effectiveness of an organization's man
How To Do It
Have the group compare their situation to anything else (another place for your list mentioned above). The more metaphors (or analogies) the group can draw between their situation and these random items the better. The insights will flow from the discussion of these connections. You can also ask the group to tell you what they might compare the situation to, which is another method of initiating the metaphors.
Geniuses prepare themselves for chance
In a group situation, this most likely fits after a solution has been implemented. This “preparation for chance” will be enhanced by the willingness to do two things: admit mistakes, and spend time reviewing the results of the decision or solution.
How To Do It
After a decision is made, encourage the group to schedule time to review the results of the decision. Time might also be scheduled to discuss the process the group used for coming to the decision. By reflecting on the work and the results, often new ideas and improvements can be found. The decision to take this time is seldom the natural inclination of a group. Group dynamics are such
We all see it . . . business markets are trying hard but continue to be flat, easily scared, and "frozen in the headlights," - - - primarily maintaining, and definitely not building. Workforce attitudes suffer from a steady flow of negative global and economic events, career disappointments, and the constant threat of being laid off. Customers are struggling to identify their path forward, which in turn makes it even more difficult for any business to determine their own plans for the future. The fear of post Enron scrutiny on business leaders and organizations is ever present. When will the "upturn" come?In response, it seems companies are moving forward on the back of very conservative and "tactical" decisions and day-to-day activities. Why? Because they are much safer, and n
Wouldn’t it be great to have an Edison or Einstein, or Mozart at your next meeting? If you had a genius at your meeting, do you think you might come up with better results? Let me be the first to tell you that those people won’t be at your next meeting. But there are some things you can do as a facilitator - some techniques and tactics that you can use with the group that will help them work better. In this article you will learn some of the strategies of geniuses (adapted from Thinking Like a Genius, by Michael Michalko in the May 1998 issue of The Futurist), and how to apply them within any group you are working with.
Geniuses look at problems in many different ways
The key to this strategy is helping a group find new perspectives. Often a group gets “locked in” on one specific solution or cause. The goal should be to slow the group down and help them look at their situation from a variety of perspectives. Once a group has an initial approach, encourage them to stop and force a new perspective - force them to re-conceptualize the problem.
How To Do It
Once a group has settled in on an approach, encourage them to step out of the room. When they return, explain the concept of looking at the problem from another perspective. Ask the group to list three or more other perspectives that this situation could be viewed from. From that list, pick one for the group to reconsider the situation from. (If the group is large enough have sub groups work different perspectives.) The time spent in reviewing the situation from the new perspectives should be as rigorous as the first analysis. Once the group has completed their reanalysis, have them look at all of their results. At this point encourage them to make the best decision, given all the data they have at their disposal.
Geniuses make novel combinations
Sometimes geniuses don’t come up with new ideas, but combine existing ones to make great advances.
How To Do It
Once a group has a variety of possible solutions (possibly by using some of the steps above), have them try to combine them, rather than just pick one. Spur them on with questions like:
• How could you do both A and B?
• How could you gain the benefits of both A and D, while minimizing the risks?
Geniuses force relationships
This may be the genius’ biggest strategy of all, and one you can employ easily with groups.
How To Do It
Always have a few (or a lot) of disparate items on a list. At any time that a group is stuck, ask them to force a relationship between their problem to one of the items on your list. (You could also have pictures of the items, which might spur their creativity even further.). These relationships may be forced, and this may be where the breakthrough comes.
Note: Some groups or individuals will scoff at this idea as silly. Acknowledge this, but encourage them to try anyway. They may be very pleasantly surprised. Remember too, that the quality comes with quantity rule applies here. You may need to try more than one or two forced relationships before real progress is made.
Geniuses make their thought visible
This strategy is often put to use in group meetings, but only at the lowest level. Recording a group’s work on a flipchart, or whiteboard, is a small step in this direction, but to take this to the next level (to the genius level!), you need to get more visual.
How To Do It
Have members of a group draw their solutions to a problem, or draw the results of implementing their solution. If you want to look at a variety of solutions at once, have sub groups do this for different scenarios. Focus the group(s) on making it visual and inclusive of their whole idea. The goal is to communicate not wow the group with artistic abilities. Once the groups have completed their drawings, review all of them to see if new ideas, or combinations of ideas are found.
Geniuses think in opposites
Often it is very revealing to examine the opposite of your situation, or ask the opposite question.
How To Do It
Rather than having the group ask the direct question on their task, have them ask the opposite. For example, if the question is, “How do we attract new Customers?”, more new ideas and insights might come from asking, “How could we drive all of our Customers away?” With the answers to the opposite question, tactics and plans for avoiding this outcome can be developed.
Geniuses think metaphorically
Aristotle believed that metaphors were a sign of genius. If they were good enough for Aristotle, they should be good enough for us!
How To Do It
Have the group compare their situation to anything else (another place for your list mentioned above). The more metaphors (or analogies) the group can draw between their situation and these random items the better. The insights will flow from the discussion of these connections. You can also ask the group to tell you what they might compare the situation to, which is another method of initiating the metaphors.
Geniuses prepare themselves for chance
In a group situation, this most likely fits after a solution has been implemented. This “preparation for chance” will be enhanced by the willingness to do two things: admit mistakes, and spend time reviewing the results of the decision or solution.
How To Do It
After a decision is made, encourage the group to schedule time to review the results of the decision. Time might also be scheduled to discuss the process the group used for coming to the decision. By reflecting on the work and the results, often new ideas and improvements can be found. The decision to take this time is seldom the natural inclination of a group. Group dynamics are such t
On August 3rd/2005, Reuters reported that a German man had colluded with a phone sex operator to defraud his employer’s company out of approximately 16,000 Euro or almost 20,000 US dollars, by making 160 phone calls over a year and a half from work. He apparently split the profits 50/50 with the phone sex operator. The courts convicted the man and gave him a suspended sentence of eight months.Does your company have a written communications policy, and are your employees aware of its existence?Most phone systems these days are highly sophisticated and access can be easily controlled and usage monitored. An employee abusing valuable telecommunication resources is an unnecessary problem to have these days. A quick call to your communication provider will reveal a plethora o
Geniuses make novel combinations
Sometimes geniuses don’t come up with new ideas, but combine existing ones to make great advances.
How To Do It
Once a group has a variety of possible solutions (possibly by using some of the steps above), have them try to combine them, rather than just pick one. Spur them on with questions like:
• How could you do both A and B?
• How could you gain the benefits of both A and D, while minimizing the risks?
Geniuses force relationships
This may be the genius’ biggest strategy of all, and one you can employ easily with groups.
How To Do It
Always have a few (or a lot) of disparate items on a list. At any time that a group is stuck, ask them to force a relationship between their problem to one of the items on your list. (You could also have pictures of the items, which might spur their creativity even further.). These relationships may be forced, and this may be where the breakthrough comes.
Note: Some groups or individuals will scoff at this idea as silly. Acknowledge this, but encourage them to try anyway. They may be very pleasantly surprised. Remember too, that the quality comes with quantity rule applies here. You may need to try more than one or two forced relationships before real progress is made.
Geniuses make their thought visible
This strategy is often put to use in group meetings, but only at the lowest level. Recording a group’s work on a flipchart, or whiteboard, is a small step in this direction, but to take this to the next level (to the genius level!), you need to get more visual.
How To Do It
Have members of a group draw their solutions to a problem, or draw the results of implementing their solution. If you want to look at a variety of solutions at once, have sub groups do this for different scenarios. Focus the group(s) on making it visual and inclusive of their whole idea. The goal is to communicate not wow the group with artistic abilities. Once the groups have completed their drawings, review all of them to see if new ideas, or combinations of ideas are found.
Geniuses think in opposites
Often it is very revealing to examine the opposite of your situation, or ask the opposite question.
How To Do It
Rather than having the group ask the direct question on their task, have them ask the opposite. For example, if the question is, “How do we attract new Customers?”, more new ideas and insights might come from asking, “How could we drive all of our Customers away?” With the answers to the opposite question, tactics and plans for avoiding this outcome can be developed.
Geniuses think metaphorically
Aristotle believed that metaphors were a sign of genius. If they were good enough for Aristotle, they should be good enough for us!
How To Do It
Have the group compare their situation to anything else (another place for your list mentioned above). The more metaphors (or analogies) the group can draw between their situation and these random items the better. The insights will flow from the discussion of these connections. You can also ask the group to tell you what they might compare the situation to, which is another method of initiating the metaphors.
Geniuses prepare themselves for chance
In a group situation, this most likely fits after a solution has been implemented. This “preparation for chance” will be enhanced by the willingness to do two things: admit mistakes, and spend time reviewing the results of the decision or solution.
How To Do It
After a decision is made, encourage the group to schedule time to review the results of the decision. Time might also be scheduled to discuss the process the group used for coming to the decision. By reflecting on the work and the results, often new ideas and improvements can be found. The decision to take this time is seldom the natural inclination of a group. Group dynamics are such
A common trap that employees fall into is sometimes staying with a company for too long. Especially if you are doing a specialised job that may be quite particular to that company.As time goes on you become more and more valuable to your employer and they will likely pay you accordingly, however and here is the trap, from this you are becoming less valuable to other employers as your skill set becomes more and more centered towards the company you are working for.If you recognize this as being a problem for you, you really need to get out now, quickly before it is to late. What is going to happen if you wait for another 5 years? Well you will be paid a lot more money, however it is possible that if you were to apply for another job at a different company the value to the
This may be the genius’ biggest strategy of all, and one you can employ easily with groups.
How To Do It
Always have a few (or a lot) of disparate items on a list. At any time that a group is stuck, ask them to force a relationship between their problem to one of the items on your list. (You could also have pictures of the items, which might spur their creativity even further.). These relationships may be forced, and this may be where the breakthrough comes.
Note: Some groups or individuals will scoff at this idea as silly. Acknowledge this, but encourage them to try anyway. They may be very pleasantly surprised. Remember too, that the quality comes with quantity rule applies here. You may need to try more than one or two forced relationships before real progress is made.
Geniuses make their thought visible
This strategy is often put to use in group meetings, but only at the lowest level. Recording a group’s work on a flipchart, or whiteboard, is a small step in this direction, but to take this to the next level (to the genius level!), you need to get more visual.
How To Do It
Have members of a group draw their solutions to a problem, or draw the results of implementing their solution. If you want to look at a variety of solutions at once, have sub groups do this for different scenarios. Focus the group(s) on making it visual and inclusive of their whole idea. The goal is to communicate not wow the group with artistic abilities. Once the groups have completed their drawings, review all of them to see if new ideas, or combinations of ideas are found.
Geniuses think in opposites
Often it is very revealing to examine the opposite of your situation, or ask the opposite question.
How To Do It
Rather than having the group ask the direct question on their task, have them ask the opposite. For example, if the question is, “How do we attract new Customers?”, more new ideas and insights might come from asking, “How could we drive all of our Customers away?” With the answers to the opposite question, tactics and plans for avoiding this outcome can be developed.
Geniuses think metaphorically
Aristotle believed that metaphors were a sign of genius. If they were good enough for Aristotle, they should be good enough for us!
How To Do It
Have the group compare their situation to anything else (another place for your list mentioned above). The more metaphors (or analogies) the group can draw between their situation and these random items the better. The insights will flow from the discussion of these connections. You can also ask the group to tell you what they might compare the situation to, which is another method of initiating the metaphors.
Geniuses prepare themselves for chance
In a group situation, this most likely fits after a solution has been implemented. This “preparation for chance” will be enhanced by the willingness to do two things: admit mistakes, and spend time reviewing the results of the decision or solution.
How To Do It
After a decision is made, encourage the group to schedule time to review the results of the decision. Time might also be scheduled to discuss the process the group used for coming to the decision. By reflecting on the work and the results, often new ideas and improvements can be found. The decision to take this time is seldom the natural inclination of a group. Group dynamics are such
Your dream of working with wildlife could be more in reach than you ever realized!Stop dreaming and read on to learn about the most exciting thing you could ever do with your life.Have you ever had a day filled with challenges and excitement and actually earned money while doing it? The sad fact is that most of us have not. Yes...you read that right.But, it doesn't have to be that way. There is one of the neatest careers in this world that is suited for those who yearn to work with wildlife and not go to the poor house doing it.Wildlife Management is the art of working with wildlife and helping it to flourish and sometimes keeping it back where it belongs. It is a fascinating career that allows you the opportunity to do what you have always wanted to do.R>Have members of a group draw their solutions to a problem, or draw the results of implementing their solution. If you want to look at a variety of solutions at once, have sub groups do this for different scenarios. Focus the group(s) on making it visual and inclusive of their whole idea. The goal is to communicate not wow the group with artistic abilities. Once the groups have completed their drawings, review all of them to see if new ideas, or combinations of ideas are found.
Geniuses think in opposites
Often it is very revealing to examine the opposite of your situation, or ask the opposite question.
How To Do It
Rather than having the group ask the direct question on their task, have them ask the opposite. For example, if the question is, “How do we attract new Customers?”, more new ideas and insights might come from asking, “How could we drive all of our Customers away?” With the answers to the opposite question, tactics and plans for avoiding this outcome can be developed.
Geniuses think metaphorically
Aristotle believed that metaphors were a sign of genius. If they were good enough for Aristotle, they should be good enough for us!
How To Do It
Have the group compare their situation to anything else (another place for your list mentioned above). The more metaphors (or analogies) the group can draw between their situation and these random items the better. The insights will flow from the discussion of these connections. You can also ask the group to tell you what they might compare the situation to, which is another method of initiating the metaphors.
Geniuses prepare themselves for chance
In a group situation, this most likely fits after a solution has been implemented. This “preparation for chance” will be enhanced by the willingness to do two things: admit mistakes, and spend time reviewing the results of the decision or solution.
How To Do It
After a decision is made, encourage the group to schedule time to review the results of the decision. Time might also be scheduled to discuss the process the group used for coming to the decision. By reflecting on the work and the results, often new ideas and improvements can be found. The decision to take this time is seldom the natural inclination of a group. Group dynamics are such
Did you know if you love to travel or want a job driving for a living that you can make money delivering motorhomes? It is true. And it makes sense for those who love to drive but do not want to deal with people like they would if they were driving a bus, taxi cab, limousine or coach. Of course you could get a job as a truck driver too, but delivering motorhomes is nice because they are generally new or very nice.How much do they pay you? Well often if you drive one across country you can make $2500 or so and they pay for the gas and pay you 40% up front so you can buy fuel have some cash and then get paid the rest when you drop it off. And best of all many people get to drive some very nice vehicles and they give you money for a return airline ticket.Of course most pock
How To Do It
Have the group compare their situation to anything else (another place for your list mentioned above). The more metaphors (or analogies) the group can draw between their situation and these random items the better. The insights will flow from the discussion of these connections. You can also ask the group to tell you what they might compare the situation to, which is another method of initiating the metaphors.
Geniuses prepare themselves for chance
In a group situation, this most likely fits after a solution has been implemented. This “preparation for chance” will be enhanced by the willingness to do two things: admit mistakes, and spend time reviewing the results of the decision or solution.
How To Do It
After a decision is made, encourage the group to schedule time to review the results of the decision. Time might also be scheduled to discuss the process the group used for coming to the decision. By reflecting on the work and the results, often new ideas and improvements can be found. The decision to take this time is seldom the natural inclination of a group. Group dynamics are such that when the result or decision is made, that the group is ready to “cross that item off the list”, and move on. As a facilitator you can provide significant value by encouraging this review process.
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