Symbolic Modelling
Our specialist, David Bamber, uses Symbolic Modelling - a creative and ‘hands on’ approach where people use real objects to create a model that symbolises the different attributes of their team or organisation and looks at how they can improve their situation. Symbolic Modelling using AlchemyKit allows teams and groups to collectively explore:
It is a creative and ‘hands on’ approach that enables people to see and understand the full complexity of their situation. People use real objects to create a model that symbolises the different attributes of their team, organisation or company. The symbolic model allows everyone to see the bigger picture without getting bogged down in detail. Once finished important questions can be asked, such as “what needs to change for us to work together better?”
Throughout the process participants create a shared agreement and build a strong commitment for change. The use of ‘clean language facilitation’ enables discussion and development of the symbolic models. The process provides a “safe way” for participants to talk about and resolve the difficult issues needed for a shared direction.
Symbolic Modelling using AlchemyKit allows people with different perspectives to create a shared understanding of how a team, group or organisation works and how it could work. The Symbolic Modelling process is infinitely flexible and can be used to focus on a number of key issues, such as:
Benefits of using Symbolic Modelling:
Introduction
Symbolic Sound Modelling allows individuals to explore and become directly aware of the nature of their interrelationship between the team, the organisation they work and the impact this has on the effectiveness or otherwise of:
The process allows individuals to become more aware of their interrelationship with others and develop a deeper understanding of the ‘chemistry’ that binds the team together. Where these relationships are clearly understood by all the people working within a team then the management of team processes will work effectively for both the individual and the organisation.
Background
Within many teams interrelationship between members and the organisation are not clearly understood. This could be for many reasons, however, generally they could be summarised as:
A) The team has been recently put together for a specific project, and the team members do not know each other;
B) The team has been assembled from the merging or takeover of two companies (e.g. Telewest and NTL) and there is an element of mistrust between the employees of each company.
C) There have been redundancies within the organisation from downsizing affecting team morale;
D) Long standing team members have left and been replaced by others;
E) Stagnation;
F)Unresolved conflict, i.e. unacknowledged or open conflict has led to a build up of bad feeling and entrenched positions between people working with each other.
G) Ineffective inter–team working (e.g. technical and sales team) arising from a perceived lack of respect between functionality).
As a result the team will operate less effectively in one or all of the key areas identified in the introduction.
Team Development Issues
One of the more widely used models of team development (Tuckman 1965) recognises that there are five group-working phases. These are known as:
Getting to the norming/performing stage can be time-consuming unless it is managed effectively. Frequently groups never get there and spend most of their time within the mourning/forming/storming stages.
It is generally accepted that in effective teams
Within other groups of people who have to work together co-operatively the list is similar though subtly different:
Symbolic Sound Modelling is a unique process that enables individuals within groups to explore their relationship and understanding of each other within the context of the business environment. It allows groups to fast track through the ‘forming, storming, norming, stages’ to ‘performing’ effectively.
Whilst much team leadership and management courses focus on the use of psychometrics to allow delegates gain a reflective understanding of themselves and each other; Symbolic Sound Modelling reveals a controlled real time experience of group dynamics, as they practically exist in the moment.
How it works
The chemistry that binds and gels groups together can be observed through the process of communication; in particular vocal sound and non–verbal communication. All communication consists of a series of very complicated physical vibrations, which are experienced through hearing and sensation in the body. The sound of our voice depends very much on the physical state of our body and in particular the tension and relaxation of muscle created by our emotional state. Each sound we make has its own specific emotional association within our brain. It is by using these sounds within a group context that we can learn much about ourselves and our reactions to those around us.
We do this by running a series of controlled experiments using vocalised sound minus any verbal content, a process more akin to singing and music as opposed to speech, to define individual experience within the group and work environment. These experiences our explored through visual modelling, Gestalt facilitation, and facilitative mediation. Through this process groups are encouraged to explore trust and confidence, discord and harmony, group chaos and creativity, group listening and support, leadership and motivation. Together with the visual modelling element, participants are encouraged to seek out solutions to problems, find new ways of working and understanding.
Each workshop is bespoke in as much as it is tailored to the specific requirements of the team and business following a simple diagnostic process identifying the issues that need to be addressed.
The Diagnostic Process
The Diagnostic Process consists of a matrix, which is completed by the client prior to agreeing the workshop. The questions asks the client to identify where they think the team currently is in relation to issues concerning leadership, diversity, change management, etc. on a scale of 1-100. They then identify where they ideally would like the team to be and itemise what benefits they think would be derived from them being there. This matrix is then used as the basis of the workshop design.
Ongoing Coaching
Symbolic Sound Modelling is a depth process and it is possible that within the workshop issues will be identified that would benefit from ongoing support and coaching. We would aim to ensure that such support is available.