On Tuesday, I conducted frame-stretching sessions designed to test whether immersing professionals in storytelling could:
- Maintain participant focus effectively
- Restore faith in possibilities
- Generate enthusiasm for novel problem-solving approaches
Key Learnings
Frames shape perspective. The language people use reveals their underlying beliefs about human nature, causality, and future expectations.
Diverse teams provide invaluable insights. Having colleagues who can offer alternative viewpoints helps identify blind spots.
Story engagement matters. The Christopher Columbus narrative proved more compelling than anticipated in generating discussion.
Comfortable sharing yields surprises. Creating a welcoming environment encourages participants to contribute unexpected knowledge.
Minimal visual aids enhance focus. Using only a whiteboard (versus PowerPoint) allowed audiences to concentrate on dialogue rather than slides, making it easier to track contributions.
Facilitation requires finesse. Managing "frame wars" and resistance demands patience and careful attention to tone when soliciting input.
Less is more. Keeping agendas narrow maximizes frame-stretching effectiveness.
Authenticity over citation. Sharing familiar narratives works better than referencing specific theorists or authors.
Let participants lead. Suspending your own stories and perspectives allows others' narratives to shift the collective frame of reference, enabling fresh self-perception through alternate lenses.
Leave a Comment