“As Bloom once told a reporter: “We were looking for exceptional kids and what we found were exceptional conditions”. […] The “exceptional conditions” we found can be summarized under the headings of opportunity to learn, authentic tasks, and exceptionally supportive social contexts.” ~ Lauren Sosniak, p289. I found this quote here in Doing What Works in Solutions Focussed Change and it got me thinking about my work, parenting and change. In my last post, What are you a student of right now?, I shared this little word-graphic on the fields and practices that shape my learning … As parents we …

Here are some words that came to me when doodling on my iPad – playing with the Adobe Ideas App. Some fields and practices that I am a student of … What words would add to this image?

Imagine a world where most people think that life’s events are largely predictable. A world where people believe that planning, expert analysis, centralized control and risk assessments will smooth out the bumps of unpredictability … and ensure that predetermined targets are hit. Sound familiar? Now imagine a world where the universal human tendency is to ‘be prepared for the unexpected’ … because that’s life! In this world, planning is still done, but is balanced by the formation of improvisational teams – teams that emerge in response to what is happening in the moment. In this world, the term ‘script think’ …

As communication via email continues to decline in my world or work, so do the number of email subscriptions. In fact, I take great pleasure in unsubscribing from email lists … it’s almost cathartic! The DO Lectures have a newsletter that puts the subscriber first. Kindling is simple, elegant and integrates across to Twitter and Instapaper – so when something looks interesting and you wish to ‘Read Later‘, you just click the button. For each article it also gives you a ‘time commitment‘ so you know what you’re in for. This is one newsletter that I will not be unsubscribing from! …

Viv McWaters has been my mentor, colleague, co-conspirator and friend for many years now. Viv has a knack of seeing beyond the ‘established norms’ of facilitation and create new ways of working from out beyond the horizon – its quite inspirational. Viv is a pioneer of Open Space, action methods and in the application of Improv Theatre to facilitation (and life). In recent times, Viv and Johnnie Moore have been breaking new ground in world of facilitation and facilitation training. Together, they have been working at the edge and applying lessons from improv theatre, neurological sciences, psychology, systems biology, design …