PROVOCATIVE QUESTIONS

[Pannwitz, Michael M]

Why do you work so hard?
(author unknown, sometimes attributed to a phantom with hat)
merry xmas
mmp

On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 15:56:06 +0800, Brendan McKeague wrote:

>G'day folks
>
>I've been pondering lately on the 'art of provocative questioning'  - or
>curiosity.
>Working recently with couple of 'undecided' clients -  co-designing a
>process for working with staff groups on such themes as 'team-building
>days' or 'planning conferences' - we've discussed the notion of 'different
>purpose, different space, different process'
>They had already decided that they wished to go off-site but seemed
>reluctant to engage in any unconventional or 'way-out/weird' activities...
>
>One of my key questions to them now is:
>Why would you invest so much to take your staff, team, whatever away from
>their normal 'business as usual' space - place of work - and then just
>expose them to the same old 'business-as-usual' processes...where
>predetermined plans, outcomes, bells and whistles dominate the timetable?
>
>During the ensuing conversation, I usually have the opportunity to provide
>an invitation to consider a real alternative - if you are going away, then
>go away in more than just a physical sense - go away in terms of place,
>pace and space...
>a different place - removed from the usual environment, sights, smells,
>sounds, tastes, touches in order to create
>a different space - in which the unknown can be made known, the unusual can
>be accessed and the creativity of people can be unleashed at
>a different pace - a slowing down and/or a speeding up, determined by those
>who are there, in response to the energies and passion that emerge from
>them as they engage with each other and with the theme...
>
>This basic, simple question and subsequent conversation seems to have
>provoked a couple of welcome 'ah-ha' moments from sponsors struggling to
>accept the 'risks' associated with their 'loss of control' or fear of the
>unknown....
>
>It's so much fun developing 'provocative questions' - much easier than
>trying to provide answers!
>
>Any other favourite 'provocative questions' hanging around?
>
>Cheers
>Brendan
>
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Michael M Pannwitz, boscop eG i.G.
Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin
++49 - 30-772 8000
www.boscop.de   www.michaelmpannwitz.de


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