It took a while before I noticed what makes the most impact. It is working together in small groups – no matter whether they be mayors, community police or teachers – that lets you make real progress. Working together in a masterclass we create a Polarisation Framework and confront it with the most difficult of case histories. Actually, masterclass sessions are what I offer in consultancy. For a number of hours, we’ll hold off from making judgements and, especially, try not to show off how smart we are and instead, we’ll practice listening very attentively to what is needed. That is how we get to the bottom of things. The outcome we are working towards is a (de) polarisation strategy.
What are the dominating thought constructs? What is the fuel? Where is the gut-feeling dynamic? What are my role preferences and how do they relate to what is needed? What patterns do we recognise and what leadership is needed to apply the game changers? Do we choose roles? Which role allocation would work out well? It is not always easy to ignore the compelling scheme of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. That is what I guard against.
In a masterclass, a small group allows itself to be ‘worked on’. On the way, the group discovers new possibilities for itself. I myself enjoy the eye-openers. It is no secret that the ‘master’ in the class is the one who learns the most. That is perhaps the reason why I like giving masterclasses.
Whoever is looking for consultancy, whoever wants to explore their own practice, whoever wants to contribute their own expertise, and does not always have to be right, is always welcome to initiate a masterclass. As I said above, the only requirement is: a small group with an urgent case.