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Thoughts

Occasional notes and insights about communicating environmental, climate and sustainability themes, and tackling today’s sustainability challenges. Occasionally, we talk about facilitation, training and storytelling, too.

Playing with AI: Notes from #FacLab009

Playing with AI: Notes from #FacLab009

I run a regular gathering for facilitators to try out new tools, share knowledge and use our combined views of the world to help each other learn, grow and thrive. In February, a small group came together and I shared what I’ve learned, and they offered some reflections on AI and the future of facilitation.

Scientists Warning Europe

A interesting site full of science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future presented by scientists across Europe.

How can you foster a culture of communication in your organisation?

How can you foster a culture of communication in your organisation?

Like so many things, fostering a culture of communication has to start at the top. If leaders really want to have a two-way dialogue, they need to have an open-door policy, make time to listen, be open to new ideas, and not only act on good ideas, but acknowledge where those ideas came from. This encourages conversation in all directions. Of course, the same needs to happen when communicating downwards, and it’s vital that downward communication is clear, consistent, honest and transparent....

How can you make sure that everyone contributes in a meeting?

How can you make sure that everyone contributes in a meeting?

If you have a meeting, hearing the voices of all attendees could be a game-changer. Of course, it depends on the meeting: if you’re delivering a state-of-the-nation talk to the company, perhaps you’re more interest in cascading information down rather than getting input. If, however, you have selected a number of people to attend a meeting to make a decision, generate ideas, move forward with plans, or start planning something brand new, you need to make sure that everyone can and does...

How can you diffuse drama in your team?

How can you diffuse drama in your team?

The Karpman Drama Triangle defines the roles that people take on (and can switch between) in stressful, emotional or high-conflict situations. Dr Stephen Karpman identified three main roles that emerge: the persecutor, the victim and the rescuer. We can often find ourselves drawn to a particular role. However, the reality is that we move around the three roles. Different circumstances—people, context, emotions, environment, topic—pull us towards one particular pattern of behaviour or another....

What if there was a process for soliciting honest, neutral input for your ideas?

What if there was a process for soliciting honest, neutral input for your ideas?

You’re a creator. Perhaps you’re creating a new strategy, a product, a play, a novel, a team, or something completely different. You’re part-way through. You think you’re on the right track. And you have decided that you want to share your idea and get feedback and input that will not only help you move your ideas forward, but that will energise you and perhaps even make your creation even better than it would otherwise be. The way to do this is by asking for feedback, but asking for feedback...

What if there was a process for giving kind but honest feedback?

What if there was a process for giving kind but honest feedback?

The good news is that there are loads of interesting models, but which model you choose to use depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you want to give feedback on work-in-progress—a creation of some sort—you might want to take a look at Liz Lerman’s deceptively simple Critical Response Process or CRP. This allows you to understand get a wider perspective about an individual’s thoughts, motivations, and creation(s) so that you can offer feedback that is honest, direct, and both...

What if it was possible to have productive, conflict-free conversations?

What if it was possible to have productive, conflict-free conversations?

Conversations are life’s “grease”. Good conversations make things go smoother – work, relationships, buying something at the store, understanding a complex idea, and more. The challenge is that so many conversations become charged and filled with conflict below the surface. This is certainly true when it comes to communicating sustainability challenges or the climate crisis. Why? And how do you diffuse this? There are lots of reasons for conflict and many ways things to look out for in a...

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Media consultant & journalist, Babaco Media