Try these tools to build connection and community
This post is part of a series. Earlier posts are linked at the bottom.
How can you get started being an inventor?
There are lots of ways, but since being an inventor begins with relationships and community, here are a couple of connection tools I’ve used teaching university students.
(Hat tip to Education Reimagined and their Learning Lab.)
These tools require just a few minutes at the start and finish of any learning experience.
Before each lesson or gathering, ask a question that helps people…the humans in the room…to connect...to build relationships...to build trust…
The question could be something as simple as…
What are you most curious about today, at this moment? And why is that important to you?
Or...
What makes your heart sing? And why is that important to you?
Notice I asked the Why question both times...Why is that important to you? It’s an important question because its answer reveals a piece of that person...their thinking...their values...their beliefs..their humanity….something we can connect with...
So you can invent a question connected to the content of the day or use a generic one like my curiosity question.
If you’re working with adult colleagues, consider connection questions that pertain to personal or professional aspirations. These kinds of questions…they help reinforce purpose and keep the connection conversation positive!
The second connection tool I have for you is “the gifts conversation,” and it comes from author and thought-leader Peter Block who’s done quite a bit of work around the idea of building community.
Too much of the media we consume and conversations we have, focus on the negative---problems to solve...flaws to fix.
The gifts conversation focuses us on highlighting the positive -- the gifts and assets we humans bring to our work and our conversations.
Conclude class, work sessions or even meetings, with the “gifts conversation.” It’ll help bring the work back to the human and acknowledge gratitude for the contributions of everyone.
What did you appreciate about today's conversations and work? Who can you acknowledge?
As we invent The Human School, it’s not difficult to find the moments where we connect with one another repeatedly and intentionally.
Let’s start with the human...and let’s end with the human, as well!
So far...we’ve...navigated our way through two compass points: Be an Objector and Be an Inventor…. We’ve….
Asked some great questions, challenging our assumptions about schooling….
Embraced the idea of being a leader and taking action...
Focused on people…
Embraced the future, taking the longview…
And...
Worked with others to invent magical, authentic and memorable solutions…
In the next post, well dig into what it means to be a Curator.
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