Plastic bag conversations

June 13, 2019

By Dan Hammond, Chief Disruption Officer, LIW

Data from Squadify tells us that only 17% of teams rate their decision-making process as 5/5. This is not surprising as many teams mistake talking about a topic for making a decision!

This often takes place in what our very own Andy Chevis calls the ‘plastic bag conversation’ in which the topic is blown around like a bag down a breezy alley.

What does this mean for leadership?

The solution is to grab the bag and facilitate the conversation. To do this, use the ever-useful 3Ws, one step at a time:

  • W1: what are we trying to achieve through this decision and why?
  • W2: what are the facts?
  • W3: what could we do? what will we do? who will do what?

And stay vigilant – it only takes a light breeze to get that plastic bag airborne!

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