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Rick Maurer Tip #74
The Value of Clamshells in Change. |
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June 19, 2010
Greetings!
Contents
- The Value of Clamshells in Change
- How Do You Get Good at What You Do?
- Rick in Copenhagen
- The End of the Line
Tip 74 The Value of Clamshells in Change
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to work with about 400 senior leaders and managers in the City of Ottawa's government who are engaged in a process to improve service to their community. Bev Patwell, a consultant to the project, facilitated a variation on a Henry Mintzberg technique called A Clamshell.
I thought you might find it useful.
People sat in random groups of 8 to 10 at a table. Each table discussed critical questions regarding the change process. There was an empty chair labeled "eavesdropper seat" at each table. These chairs were filled by the senior leaders of the city government. Eavesdroppers had to remain silent.
After the 20-minute conversation, the senior leaders sat in a semi-circle with representatives from each table filling the other side of this "clamshell." Each senior leader was given one-minute to tell what he or she heard. Then the other side of the clamshell could ask questions or make comments to any of the senior leaders. Other managers could join the conversation by replacing one of the table representatives.
It was a great way to turn a large meeting into a series of meaningful conversations. The clarity of the structure combined with tight time boundaries (expertly managed by Bev) provided the safety and structure that made this activity such a success.
How Do You Get Good at What You Do?
As many of you know, I teach at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland a few weeks every year. I love that place and owe it a lot. My thinking about change and resistance goes back to my earliest experiences there in the early 1990s. (I was but a child then, of course.)
I would appreciate it if you would take a quick anonymous survey so that I can learn about what you are looking for in your own professional education. This survey should take 5 minutes if you buzz through it and 10 minutes if you decide to respond in depth.
I will close the survey on June 26.
Thanks. Here's the link.
Rick in Copenhagen - June
Sorry for the late notice, but I will be conducting two public workshops in Copenhagen on June 22 and June 24. Christian Harpelund, created Mindsetter™, a wonderful simulation that teaches people how to apply concepts covered in my book, Beyond the Wall of Resistance. He and I will present ideas from the latest version of my book and invite you to join in a Mindsetter™ simulation to apply what you are learning. We have been looking for a way to work together on this for a couple of years.
For more information, send me a note or contact Christian directly at ch@relationtechnologies.com. These will be highly interactive one-day workshops. So, if you're in the neighborhood, please consider joining us.
The End of the Line
This is the last call for this practical little booklet. As soon as the 2010 version of Beyond the Wall of Resistance is released later this month, I will quit selling Making a Compelling Case for Change. There are still about 200 copies left. I am selling these at deep discounts for purchases of 10 or more copies. If you want to order the booklet, just send me an email to rick@rickmaurer.com telling me how many copies you'd like to purchase. No need to send credit card information with your email.
Warm regards,
Rick MaurerPresident |
