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Transcript of Sharpen Your Consulting Skills - Ontario Association of ... Your Consulting Skills... · with...
with
Active Learning
Sharpen Your
Consulting Skills
Ontario Association of Architects
2016 Conference, Toronto
“excellent
communication
skills”
(?)
WANTED:
Where did we learn
communication skills?
Where did we learn
conflict management?
How did we learn to present
visionary ideas?
Are we seen as A-team members
by project delivery leaders?
Is our collaborative approach
seen as offering competitive
value over other firms?
“We collaborate…”
really?
Do we continually improve
our communication and
collaboration skills?
How to improve?
lecture?
webinar?
video?
book?
instruction
lectures,
seminars
reading
research
experience, self
through interaction
observation & reflection
mentors. coaches80%
20% formal
learning
informal
learning
Knowledge to do my job
(experience)
instruction
lectures,
seminars
reading
research
experience, self
through interaction
observation & reflection
mentors. coaches
80% informal
learning
Focus on leveraging your...
(experience)
What prevents learning
from our own experience?
How can we learn faster from
our daily experience?
How would better interactions
affect our profitability?
How would better interactions
affect our reputation?
What if we got better at having
difficult conversations?
How can we create a
360°learning culture?
How can we reduce blame
and defensiveness?
integrated design solutions
design excellence
award winning
thought leader
trusted advisor
committed
full service
integrated services
problem solving
on time, on budget
exceed expectations
deep dive
What sets us apart?
meta trends:
more client aha’s (IPD, value-driven design, etc.)
can’t shrink our way to greatness
“design thinking” (“UX”...untapped potential)
design as public health concern
Change: more than visual
1980 2014
Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, University of Toronto,
Patkau Architects and MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects
Athletic Centre, University of Toronto, Prack and Prack Architects
athletic centres
experts with answers
“listen to users”
possibilities,
co-creation +
“design thinking”
VA
LUE
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Evolution of
consulting work
decision-making in simpler times
more of the same in an era of predictability
“We work with clients to create
a place people want to be.
It’s not an easy formula.”
design for
design with
extraordinary value
is created through
interaction
BLACK
BOX
KNOWLEDGE
BASED
CONSULTING MODELS
jump to answers
wrong/any questions?
hidden process
commoditized
in-depth understanding
tough questions
transparent
differentiated
- project’s full potential
- best value for money ?
design quality
interaction quality
engaged transformational
experience detached
Investment in interaction
VALUE
IMPOSE INFORM GET BUY-IN
CO-CREATE
getting better at the same thing new knowledge
+ innovation
Evolution: decision-making
control influence
“control” influence
strong, natural elusive
design thinking
Purpose-driven creative thinking
that results in things or services
people want, but may not
have requested.
21st century consulting skills
Who needs design
thinking?
Are we creating places people want to be?
Am I looking for
right answers to the
wrong questions?
© iS
tockphoto
.com
/ ©
Ryan L
ane
room for improvement
“The Go-From Guy”
EDUCATE
from Latin: to draw from (not push into)
educate?
different skills,
learning mindset
learning for judgment training for predictability (600 year model)
Training or learning?
facts: easy to teach judgment: hard to teach
Telling vs. digesting
passive learning
active learning
the “prepared mind”
learning mindset
accelerated
learning
takes practice (to change habits)
true collaborative
skills require
more than “tips”
If a learning culture
was easy, everyone
would have one.
A simple, yet rigorous group
coaching method that prepares
people to learn faster from
everyday situations.
Active Learning
S+Q+RxR=L
Situation +
Questions+
Reflection x
Repetition
Active Learning Formula
Where is active learning in use?
+ growing trend: “flipped classroom”
MIT
define your purpose what kinds of skills do we want to focus on and why are we doing this?
invite group members diverse experience levels and job descriptions (typically 5-8 members)
designate a learning coach ask questions, keep people focused on purpose
describe a situation select a current “slice of life” messy predicament
reflect on the situation promote a spirit of inquiry (time for 1-2 situations/1 hr session)
repeat meet on a regular basis (recommend once a week)
1
2
3
4
5
6
launch active learning
take an assets-based
approach
(to even the most dysfunctional culture)
Active Learning Tips
1. A learning coach helps extract insights.
2. Wrestle with messy real-life situations.
3. Conscious learning-in-action becomes
a habit.
4. Barriers to learning include blame and
defensiveness.
Active Learning Tips (cont’d)
5. A spirit of inquiry reduces barriers to
learning.
6. The learning curve is inherently bumpy.
7. Participation should be based on the
attraction principle.
8. Momentum is built over time, not
overnight.
active learning questions
Slice-of-life business situation:
What is happening here? (understand, not blame)
What are some options for going forward?
How am I contributing to the issue?
What do they want to achieve? What do I want?
What is stopping me?
What other options are there?
NAIVE:
What do you mean ________?
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE:
Is there another way you might say
that?
CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS:
Are you sure that ________?
THE "FIVE WHY'S":
Why do you think this is happening?
...Why…?
active learning coaching tips
- be curious, neutral and inclusive
- keep people focused on shared learning objectives
- promote an inquiry-based approach
- seek insight beyond surface answers
- respect silent periods of reflection
- recognize that some anxiety is natural
- understand that wrestling with issues is valuable
- problem prevention: saves time
- identity as learning (v. blame) culture
- achieve firm’s full potential
- make the most of knowledge in firm
- basis for premium brand + fees
- provide best ‘client experience’
benefits to the firm
- ensure ownership transition built on strength
- convert tacit to explicit knowledge (how to...)
- fuel Gen Why? millennial development
- feed entrepreneurial mindset
- develop 21st century leadership
- improve daily work flow
benefits to the firm (cont’d)
- problem prevention: less stress + saves time
- strategic approach: self-confidence
- deal with difficult people
- appreciate other’s views: mindfulness
- ongoing, faster learning: job retention
- improves judgment + reputation
benefits to the individual
use the
attraction
principle
Expectations: NATURE of the creative process
learning from experience
If learning cultures
were easy, they
would be common.
Sharon VanderKaay
vanderpalette.com