How do we learn this thinking stuff?

The Thinking Environment® programmes are taught to small groups within your organisation, normally over 2 short days. Learning the main building blocks (Thinking Pairs, Dialogue, Open Discussion etc) is followed up by practical real-life work applications.

How large are the groups?

Because we do practical work in pairs but more especially in rounds, where everyone takes a turn to speak, smaller groups are more conducive to effective learning (and deeper team bonding). An even numbered group of between 4-8 is perfect.

What do we actually learn in the training?

A typical Transforming Meetings® programme will cover the Thinking Environment® building blocks, presentation skills, conflict resolution, running a meeting &/or a thinking council. Contact us for further information.

How quick and easy is it to learn?

The process is quick, easy and actually quite enlightening to learn. Owing to its authenticity, participants often discover a lot about themselves during the process. The ideas and techniques can be used straight away afterwards, either in or out of the office.

What’s the chance of us forgetting it all straight after the training course?

The ideas and techniques taught are fundamental life skills, so they tend not to easily be forgotten. Of course, people can always consciously choose not to apply them and hence we would always recommend that you actively build the philosophies of the Thinking Environment® into your organisational culture. We tend to discover however, that once people have a taste of how different and how delightful it is to be given genuine, non-interruptive attention in the working environment, they don’t want to go back to their old ways. Groups can often begin to police themselves in the techniques.

Who should learn it?

If you believe in the unique power of the human mind and that innovation and the finest independent thinking should be inherent throughout your organisation, then you will want everyone to know about the Thinking Environment. Does this mean that you need to intensively train everyone? No. As a start, begin by training your senior staff and those who run your meetings, so that at the very least you can start to unlock the creativity of your groups. Then decide how to incorporate it further. Even in a diluted form with non-trained individuals, a meeting run as a Thinking Environment will typically produce a much better than normal outcome. It depends on how much you want to achieve.

Can we trial it first?

Yes. Ask us to facilitate a normal meeting for you and see what difference it makes, even when members of the meeting know nothing of the concept. But bear in mind that when staff thoroughly understand the process, the benefits sky-rocket in comparison.

Can we train just one person in it first?

Although we don’t currently run Thinking Environment® Open Courses, we can recommend other organisations who do.

Do we have to train all senior staff?

Bear in mind that the Transforming Meetings® programme does what it says on the tin. When people begin to experience the liberation of participating in meetings in this new and delightfully different way, the ‘old way’ by comparison can seem slow, ineffective and frustrating.

Can’t you just send us some training manuals instead?

The Transforming Meetings® programme is experiential. It’s not easy to truly understand how great it feels to have one or more ‘aha’ moments in a regular work meeting until you’ve tried it. Participants often have ‘lightbulb’ moments about their own behaviour during the training. This can’t easily be replicated from a training manual.

Who uses it and where?

The Thinking Environment® framework is used internationally, by global organisations. Because it offers both inclusivity, yet also deep, profound thinking, it is becoming established in countries ranging from South Africa to USA to Sweden.

In what ways can we apply it?

The Transforming Meetings® programme normally offers considerable benefits to most organisations. Depending on your requirements, variations of this programme are additionally available for either:

• Sales focused client presentations
• Ideas focused, innovation workshops
• Interview/appraisal type meetings

Which programme is best for me?

Contact us for a chat and we will happily advise you.

Why wouldn’t we want to use it?

Interesting question and one we can’t easily answer! Of course, organisations vary, and some choose to continue to have a more established hierarchy of thinking than others.

Is it expensive?

Well that depends. Motorola for example calculates that for every $1 spent in training, $33 dollars are earned as a result.

What is the real cost to you of:

• That idea that your organisation didn’t have?
• Disengaged employees?
• Ineffective meetings with inadequate outcomes?
• Unappreciated clients?
• Staff who are only required to do and not to think?
• Poorly thought through decisions?

In the words of John Stael van Holstein: If you think competence costs, try incompetence.

Will we ever need a refresher?

If given in the correct way, the same question can be asked repeatedly and the human brain will often hear the question afresh each time. In the same way, even when previously trained, aspects of the Thinking Environment® can be experienced afresh if repeated at a later date. Qualified Thinking Environment® consultants are part of a pro-active Time To Think global collegiate which constantly seeks to further develop the concept. The Thinking Environment® continues to grow and evolve.

What other corporate development techniques do you offer?

Sorry - none! There is a profusion of corporate models and frameworks in existence, all of which offer their own individual benefits. We just happen to believe, from experience, that nothing comes close to the Thinking Environment® for creating smart thinking throughout the organisation and genuine, authentic staff engagement. We stick to what we know works best; our Thinking Environment training® and our Thinking Space personal/executive woodland walking coaching service.

How qualified are you?

Only fully trained consultants can offer Thinking Environment® training. Qualification is only obtained through direct training with Nancy Kline herself and a lengthy practicum period featuring active experience and supervision. Skills are kept up-to-date and thinking is advanced by inclusion within an active Time To Think global collegiate.

How do we find out more?

Simply ask! We’re nice to have a chat with and we like nothing more than to talk about this thinking stuff.

No matter where you go or what you do, you live your entire life within the confines of your head - Terry Josephson