Here Lies Treasure...

With Eric Mead at the CMOE workshop

Yesterday, my colleague Ken and I attended a two-part workshop by CMOE (Center for Mangement & Organization Effectiveness), in Los Altos California.

We spent the morning exploring "Applied Strategic Thinking", which included a strategy game called Journey for Jewels. Modesty won't prevent me from saying who won (ahem... the team I was on doubled the nearest team). The session was fun and information.  Definitely worth checking out.

In the afternoon, we spent time with CMOE's "Coaching Skills" workshop. This is one of my favorite coaching models. I first saw it about three years ago. I decided to take a refresher, since I was already there for the Strategy session.

I wasn't disappointed. CMOE has created a strong, research-based model that I use as the foundation of much of my coaching. 

I would highly recommend you take this course.

The Visual Display of Text

Lyrics to "Chasing the Goddess", post-Wordle

This is just way too cool...

Wordle is a webapp that takes text and creates a graphic representation of frequency, through size. Got that?
You can manipulate the text, colors, and layout.

The image above is a Wordle representation of one of my songs, "Chasing the Goddess".

As a total word and image geek, this makes me unreasonably happy...

I'll be doing all my songs!

When a plan comes together...

I love it!

This was a very busy, but productive weekend.

I got my PT cruiser fixed (wheel bearing problem) just in time for warm weather.
I got my room cleaned just in time to not have Angie kill me (or to have anything fall on me).
I made significant progress on a work project.
I completed a paper for my class.
I booked us two weekends - June and September - at one of my favorite hotels in the world (the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego) at a 50% discount.
I rec'd two dvd's by my favorite director, Hong Kong's Wong Kar Wai. The films, Fallen Angels and Happy Together shound be on everyone's 'must-view' list.

yep... good weekend!

The Art of Argument

While Angie and I were camping last week, we had the 'pleasure' of listening to an argument in a nearby campsite.

As we talked the next day, we decided that there were 6 reasons why people argue:

1. Because they're right - these folks fall into three categories:
   a) Those that know they are right. Stay away from them. You aren't going to get anywhere, unless you're engaging in a Type 4 argument (having fun). In that case, party on!
   b) Those that think they are right. You can actually have a productive argument with someone who thinks they are right.
   c) Those that want to be right. Someone who's arguing about something they love (like family or religion) might fall in this category. You should ask yourself if this is an argument you're willing to win. The fallout may be too great.
2. Because you're wrong - These folks don't have a right answer. They just believe that you're wrong. You'd better have a great evidence, because you don't have any credibility with them on this issue.
3. Because they're obstinate - They have a stance. They don't know if it's right. They don't care if you're wrong. They are not going to move.
4. Because it's fun (for them) - I sometimes fall into this category. I like to argue for sport, with no attachment to outcome. And, I love to watch tightly strung people blow a gasket. If you're highly strung, you probably don't want to enter an argument with me or someone like me.
5. Because they think the situation calls for a 'devils advocate' - It often helps to get an alternative point of view. Some people occupy this role strategically. Others do it as a way of life. Occasionally, the position is assigned to someone.
6. Because it helps them think - Debating helps me think. I'll sometimes argue both sides of an issue within a half-hour. I'm not tied to any position yet.

You can see that it's pretty important to see why someone is arguing.

And, it's just as important to understand why you are arguing.

Purpose changes the dynamics.

So, next time you're in an argument, try asking, "Why?"

Restroom Iconography X: Big Basin Showers

YES!!

Just a simple graphic, but one that makes me very happy.
I'm a man of simple pleasures (really...).
A convertible car, a pepperoni pizza, and a long... hot... shower...

You can even take away the first two, but don't deny me my shower.

Anyway, I am always delighted to see this icon, even if I don't need it.
It's a symbol in the best way.

Hoopla in the Redwoods

Tricky Dick via hues

Angie and I were out in the Redwood Forests this weekend - hiking, drinking wine, playing with fire, and making Hoopla.

It was a good weekend.

I have to recommend Hoopla to anyone who is looking for a boardgame that demands multiple skills and is not overly competitive. It's just plain fun.

Hoopla combines pictionary with password with charades and more.

The picture above is from my clue for Angie to guess, "Richard Nixon".

For a game that tests verbal, visual, and kinesthetic skills - I have to recommend Hoopla.

How to Make a Stakeholder Map

Last week, I helped a team create a Stakeholder Map.

I've had this idea in my head for awhile, and have done a few on my own - but this was the first time I had a team create one for a presentation.

We presented it today, and it was really effective. The one above is an example:

• Lines indicate relationships (solid = strong, dotted = weak, none = none).
• Size equals relative size of the client.
• Color equals the client feeling about the product or service (green = good, yellow = medium, red = bad, black = no feeling).

The idea is that you can sell a so-so product to a customer with a great relationship, or a great product through a so-so relationship; but anything red puts you at risk... so you need to fix it.

In our meeting today, an executive said, "Why is the customer disconnected?"
Because, this is an internal product, we replied.
The image stuck in his head, because he later said, "No. Internal = External. We need to start thinking about the customer."

A connection that could have easily been buried in a table or text spoke to him through the picture. And gave us an important insight.

This is, I think, a good idea with a mediocre execution. I give it a 8/10 for utility (it communicated its point very well) and a 3/10 for aesthetics.
I'd love to see someone build a stakeholder map template with a strong design sense.
If you do, please send it to me!