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Thunderbolt Thinking Technique:
HIDDEN COMMUNICATION
What is it? This technique helps you enhance your listening and questioning skills.
Why is it
important? Organizations must pull together collective
brainpower in order to remain viable and competitive. The best way to do that is to break
down barriers that might hinder effective communication.
How do I do it?
Before your next strategic thinking session,
get small, multicolored triangular shapes of plastic or construction paper, sheets of
cardboard, and resealable plastic bags. For each pair of participants, create two sets of
identical shapes (matching colors and quantity), and place each set in a plastic bag.
As you open the session, ask each person to
choose a partner. Then pass out the sets of shapes. Have each pair place the cardboard
sheet on the table between them, as a visual barrier.
Instruct one person in each pair to create a
design, hidden by the cardboard wall. Then, have the other partner create an identical
design, communicating verbally with his or her partner to get instruction in how to do it.
Prompt the partners to ask questions.
Give each pair 3 minutes to complete the
exercise. Then remove the cardboard walls so they can see how well they did. Hold a
debriefing discussion to draw out strategies that worked, those that didn't, and why. Have
them draw conclusions about effective communication based on this discussion.
What are some ways to use this
TNT? This is a great team building exercise. It's also
effective with groups that are working well together; it shows the various styles and
needs of the team members, and uncovers areas for improvement.
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