Nicely stated, Jeff.
Also interesting that this just arrived today! (10 days after its postmark).
Jack

Jeff Conklin wrote:

> I had an insight last week while I was doing some training that I'd like
> to share with the Dialog Mapping community for your feedback. It's
> still only partly baked, but it is beginning to fill in an elusive piece
> of the puzzle for me about the practice and craft of dialog mapping.
>
> As I observed the students in the training and reflected on what it is
> I'm doing when I dialog map, it struck me that I sometimes do all the
> parts without really fulfilling on the promise of dialog mapping.
>
> Real mastery of this facilitation approach goes beyond /knowing/ ...
> beyond being fluent in IBIS and graceful in the dance of shared display,
> beyond knowing the software well enough to operate it without having to
> think about it. I have been saying that this extra something was
> confidence, or giving yourself permission to interrupt and validate the
> map, or experience ...or the product of lots of practice. The practice
> is essential, but the extra something I stumbled on is about
> /authorizing yourself. /Authorizing yourself to facilitate, to interact
> with the group, to be the designated listener, and to be the bridge
> between the group and their map in the shared display. It's a stand.
> It comes from /being/, not doing. It says "This map and this mapping
> process are immensely valuable and will help this process ... even if
> you don't see that yet."
>
> It's not about ego. Egotistical dialog mapping will get in the way and
> is ultimately toxic. It's more about being willing to expose yourself
> completely in service of the group's collaboration and sense making
> process. In that sense, this stand shows up as authorizing the shared
> map. Authorizing the map to be a powerful augmentation of the group's
> collaborative effort. Authorizing the shared display, moment by moment.
>
> So, how do you teach this stand of authorization? I don't know. It may
> not be teachable. But I'm excited about observing carefully as I dialog
> map for clients, and I think I know what the advanced "training" is
> going to be about now.
>
> Cheers,
> Jeff
>
>
> Dr. Jeff Conklin <mailto:jeff@...>
> CogNexus Institute ... Collaborative Display, Collective Intelligence
> http://cognexus.org <http://cognexus.org/> Phone: 707-256-3425
> Fax: 707-256-3903
> 1037 Juarez St., Napa, CA 94559 USA
>