“So, how is that different for you?”
Having never founded my own NGO or worked in anything other than a commercially oriented company, I’m somewhat an outlier in this year’s Catalyst Lab. As collaboratio helvetica’s mission is to fundamentally change how we work together I was often asked what the difference is between working my day job and supporting the Catalyst Lab team in my communications role. Well then, let’s try to find out.
Take your time
The Catalyst Lab sessions never feel rushed. Of course, the modules take place over a full day, even a weekend, compared to my usual work meetings lasting 30-60 minutes. But even so it feels different. Rarely are Catalyst Lab sessions started without everyone being present, while it’s common to start a work meeting 2 minutes after the official start even if some people are running late. Too bad for them, their presence might not be crucial for this meeting anyway and they can still catch up. Work meetings have started without me from time to time and it’s usually fine by me.
But it’s a different feeling when everyone’s presence is valued and the space has a different vibe when the meetings start after everyone has come in or logged on.
So I’ve implemented quick check-ins at the beginning of work meetings I’m leading. All participants share in one short sentence how they are feeling today. That breaks the ice, everyone is present and has already said something meaningful. This brings me to the next point…
Butterfly check-in
Now here’s something I will never ever do in a work context. On the first and only day we physically met in the Catalyst Lab we did a butterfly check-in. This made me incredibly uncomfortable in the beginning because it was far out of my comfort zone. But as everyone participated in it, we were all in the same boat and after the check-in, it felt good to have done that.
Still, I won’t make the “Head of” this and that department at work get up and flap their wings in a meeting room because that will probably be the last time they come to my meetings.
Facilitation is a luxury we should be able to afford more often
Having someone guide you through a meeting without being involved in the decision-making process is an incredible luxury. At work, people leading meetings are usually thematically involved and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the different roles they have to take on. Having a competent facilitator like the hosting team facilitating the Catalyst Lab is something to consider for important meetings in any work context. Especially in times of digital meetings.
Take your time to listen, speak and react
In every university lecture, there was always at least one person in the front row to the left who thought the lecture was just for them and put their two cents in at every possible occasion. So being “scarred” by this experience, I was hesitant when I learned that the Catalyst Lab encouraged everyone to voice their reactions and give their insights.
But of course, my fear was completely unfounded because I really value the Catalysts’ insights. They’re always relevant and it’s not always the same person who wants to add something. Maybe we’re all just very good at following the rules of dialogue.
Having a mission
Being around the Catalysts is quite inspiring because they all have their mission and goal to change the world. Now, I’m actually not saying that this is different in my work context. One big prejudice is that everyone in their fancy corporate job is just sitting in their comfortable chairs, looking out the window and forward to their monthly paycheck. I don’t think that’s true for most people. We are all looking for a meaningful mission. Sometimes this mission might become obscured by the small annoyances we encounter in an office day by day. If you think you don’t have a mission, you’re most likely wrong. Time to look behind the daily annoyances and dig up that mission or reason that makes you get up in the morning.
Blogpost by
Dominik Véron - Supporter infoflow & storytelling