observation Archives

Take time to observe the natural flow of things around you – Develop greater insight into how your team functions in practice

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Why take this challenge?

Gain a meta-level perspective on the cultural dynamics in your team

Develop practical insights into how your team might develop self-management

Reduce wasted time and lost opportunity within your team’s interactions

Graphic image reflecting different pathways to take the adventure

When I first became a consultant, one of the things we were taught to do was to find opportunities to simply sit and observe what was going on with a fresh pair of eyes. To arrive early and sit in reception and develop a sense of how people interacted with each other and the receptionist as they came and went. And to gain a sense of the impression that was left. Or to take opportunities to sit quietly in meetings and in general meeting areas (such as canteens) sensing what was going on around us.

On many occasions this sensing time helped me to formulate really helpful questions that unearthed new insights and really helpful discussions.

But you don’t have to be new to an organisation to do this. You just have to bring new eyes to it. To try and see things from fresh perspectives and the minds of the people around you. To take time out from our normal day of working with things to just see how they lie naturally when we don’t do that.

And so, the adventure for this week is simply to take some time to watch and listen, ‘sensing the wind’. Forgive me, but there may well be a necessary element of subterfuge with this – but harmless, and with good intent.

+ Green track - taking it in your stride

Fly on the wall

Find a way to spend 10-15minutes in a general area without people coming up to speak to you.

You will probably need a prop which naturally reflects that you are ‘occupied’. Such as a mobile phone to your ear, and the occasional nod to indicate listening.

And then just observe what is happening around you: how people respond to each other; in what ways the place reflects on your vision and values; the ‘vibe’ you are sensing when you are there; what you think might be going on in other people’s heads.

At the end of it, simply ask yourself ‘was that okay, or would I like it to be different in some way?’

+ Blue track - a bit of a workout (click to open)

A peephole on practice

At the next virtual meeting which you would normally lead in some way, find a pretext to step out and observe how it functions without you. Perhaps a few enigmatic words along the lines of ‘I need to step out of the meeting, please carry on with out me!’. Then mute yourself, switch off the webcam, and observe the dynamics that emerge. Or fully disconnect, but ask for it to be recorded so that you can catch up later.

Alternatively, you might want to be totally open about what you are doing, but be prepared to accept that this may influence people away from their natural behaviours and dynamics more than the alternatives.

You may find this short piece on meeting flow helpful in thinking about what is going on. Or this set of questions.

In a physical meeting, you will probably need to explain what you are doing, along the lines of ‘I want to get a sense of how this works without me – please just operate as if I was suddenly absent’. You may find it helpful to sit slightly outside of the normal grouping.

And again, at the end of it, simply ask yourself ‘was that okay, or would I like it to be different in some way?’

+ Red track - stepping up to bat (click to open)

You may find the following resources helpful in tackling your challenge or in gaining further benefits from the skills and insights you develop

Understanding meeting flow
Questions to help provide insight into the dynamics of group meetings
The meetings maturity model helps provide a framework for understanding how your meetings might improve
Meetings toolchest provides a wealth of tools and ideas to support better meetings

To catch up on past adventures you may have missed, feel free to browse our Adventures Library

Let us know how you get on.
Share your experience, your insights and your observation using the comments section at the bottom of the Linkedin post.

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Useful links:

Introduction to Leading by Adventure  |  What we mean by spirituality?  |  Why Adventure
Adventures to date   |  I did it, but it didn’t work very well   |  How do I know if it is working
Bringing this thinking into your meetings   |  Adventure & Mental Health
Leading by Adventure community   |  Explore Strategic Support options

#038 – Sensing the Wind