Being able to work despite escalation – defining "non-goals" as a unifying foundation to continue working in escalated situations
Sometimes situations are so entrenched, and perceptions so cemented that it is difficult to find a direct path to a constructive clarification of the situation. In these cases, the joint formulation of so-called "non-goals" and the undesirable future can help to work together again in a task-orientated manner.
Method
A moderator (superior, project leader) asks the following questions and gives enough time to bring the non-goals to life:
- In a worst-case scenario, in which direction could the situation that has arisen drift if the parties do not seek (interim) solutions with each other in good time?
- What kinds of feelings would arise for the individuals involved if the situation were to drift (if the disaster took its course) ... What would they wish for in retrospect?
- What precisely is undesirable for everyone?
- What would the parties involved have to take responsibility for? What steps would they have failed to take?
- What will and must everyone involved contribute here and now so that the undesirable future will not materialize?
Contact
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Vice-Presidency for Personnel Development and Leadership
Diversity & Collaboration