3D Juggling 427: The Sky in the Jigsaw

April 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Claire writes: “I have enjoyed a few days holiday in the last week which has mostly involved going out for coffee, thinking, and watching films! It’s been a good time to reflect on what’s been going on in 3D over the last year. 12 months ago, we had a number of changes and it wasn’t totally clear where we would be heading. It was rather like doing a jigsaw. Several parts of the puzzle were complete, most of the edge was in place and it was time to tackle the sky. Sky or grass, when you first start what seems to be solid colour, it takes time and trial and error to find the right pieces. As the puzzle comes together the distinction between different blues and greens becomes increasingly clear so that the last few pieces are obvious.

It’s easy to discern backwards! We’re in a climate of major change – for those in work, leaving work or trying to get back into work. The puzzle takes time and patience as we to turn all the pieces the right way up, make an attempt at the edge and slot in the obvious pieces that just fell out of the box together. Working at it until 2am is rarely fruitful. Taking time to do something else and returning to the puzzle with new eyes can make it a much more enjoyable experience. And at the end, it doesn’t matter that some of the pieces in the edge were wrongly placed. It doesn’t take long to reorganise them and fit the last few pieces together.

Which bit of your puzzle are you stuck with?

Love this? Do us a favour and send it to five people. Who thinks like you? You could send it to someone who has a jigsaw all over their table!

© 2009 3D Coaching Ltd May be distributed freely. Please retain contact details: www.3dcoaching.com and send a copy/ link to info@3dcoaching.com

Filed Under: working with people Tagged With: , ,

3D Juggling 426: Beach Balls

April 20, 2009 By 1 Comment
Lynn writes: “I have recently purchased this large multi coloured beach ball to use with the many teams I am working with. Not as a warm-up tool or ice breaker but to help us explore the complexity of team working.

 

I increasingly understand that to work with a team is to understand the whole ball and not focus on the individual colours or where they sit on the sphere. Each individual sits on one of those colours. If I sit on yellow I have a great view of everything yellow and maybe some idea of the colours next to me, but I have no idea what is happening on the other side of the ball. For a team to work really effectively we need to lay the information from each of the colours onto the table and understand the whole ball. We need to be prepared to trust the team enough to have the mistrust and difference out in the open.The ball also demonstrates the importance of the joints between the colours without which the ball leaks and goes flat. What are these relationships between individuals that fuse us together as a whole entity?

 

The circle at the bottom of the ball represents the manager. Without that circle there is no joining of all the colours and the ball cannot hold its form. From this vantage point the manager has the best view of all the colours but can still not see fully along each strip. The circle at the top with the inlet valve is the outside influences – without input from stakeholders there is no ball, only a flat coloured shell. Sometimes there is not enough air and at other times external pressures over-inflate the ball.

 

What’s happening with teams you are in?”

 

© 2009 3D Coaching Ltd May be distributed freely. Please retain contact details: http://www.3dcoaching.com/ and send a copy/ link to info@3dcoaching.com
Filed Under: teams Tagged With: ,

3D Juggling 425: Stretch Limo

April 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Claire writes: “I have chipped a bone in my foot, and can’t drive long distances so Clare drove my car for me last week. Her first manouvre was to reverse out of her drive onto a busy road. By the time we got to our destination she’d only stalled once early on, and was rather enjoying my car! A stretch, but less of a stretch from upgrading from a Smart car to a stretch limo, or driving a left hand drive car. At the same time I had to learn how to drive a mobility scooter!

The reality is that we both know how to drive. Changing cars or contexts is different and uses the basic skill of driving. At first it can feel uncomfortable, but with practice we soon become fluent and recognise that it wasn’t so far after all. Sometimes we need some help – like reverse parking a limo, but the basic principles are similar! Starting to do something new – at work or as a volunteer rarely involves starting from nothing. We always bring skills and experiences from other parts of our lives, some of which will transfer into a new context. We just need to know what they are! Do you know what your transferable skills are?

PS Interestingly, downsizing to a mobility scooter was harder than changing car! Foot improving!”

© 2009 3D Coaching Ltd May be distributed freely. Please retain contact details: www.3dcoaching.com and send a copy/ link to info@3dcoaching.com

Filed Under: Career Change: 1 Know what's in your toolbox Tagged With: ,

3D Juggling 424: Them and Me

April 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Claire writes: “Someone came for a Career Makeover yesterday who we had met at One Life. He thinks he has a boring job, and wanted to be able to unpick the skills he is using so that he can communicate them clearly to get a completely different kind of job. Leadership may be a skill, like customer service – but until you can describe clearly how you lead or support customers, you’re only giving half the story. And it’s how you use your skills that is your unique selling point, or your Magic Seats.

So if you’re stuck and struggling to communicate, try this: Imagine that you are sitting next to someone who does exactly the same job as you and has a very similar background. The difference is that you are really good at your job, and they are not! Now describe your skills – and make sure that you distinguish yourself from them.”

Love this? Do us a favour and send it to five people. Who thinks like you? You could send it to someone who is underselling their skills.Discuss this week’s juggling at http://www.3dcoaching.blogspot.com/

© 2009 3D Coaching Ltd May be distributed freely. Please retain contact details: http://www.3dcoaching.com/ and send a copy/ link to info@3dcoaching.com

Filed Under: Career Change: 1 Know what's in your toolbox Tagged With: ,