#181 parallel lessons

I recently facilitated a session on being a catalyst for change and I started the workshop with cornstarch.

I asked volunteers to come forward and attempt to mix cornstarch and water in a cup so that it reached a consistency that would allow a spoon to be inserted into it and to be turned upside down.

There are many lessons to be learned from this exercise and parallels to change efforts:
> More people want to watch than want to volunteer to initiate/participate in the change;
> Change is messy;
> There is no recipe or set formula for making the mixture -- or for creating change.  You need to experiment;
> And you need to keep at it.  Persistence is more valuable than expecting instant success
> Sometimes you need less of an element than you thought you would -- a little can go a long way;
> If you try to push the spoon in slowly (aka create change slowly) there is less resistance and it is easier to accomplish than if you try to push it in quickly;
> Sometimes your efforts are a failure;
> We can learn from each other.  We get smarter as a group as our efforts progress;
> Two different entities can create something new. The exercise involves using something you have seen often, but never looked at it this way or considered it for this purpose;
> It helps to know your purpose in the beginning;
> It can be fun -- especially in the end when it works!

You may consider conducting this experiment with your group as you start your next change effort.  Lots of lessons from an unlikely (and cheap!) source of inspiration.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

(Original concept from Tracy Knofla)