At the beginning of the winter term I think that communication has become so complex that we need to build in more time for self-reflection and silence if we want to grow as individuals, as organisations, as societies.
"I am so fed up", a TalkShop member burst out during our session last night. He was referring to the ever present AI and social media. The other group members agreed. "This is all going too fast", they thought. "We are suffering from a tech overload, new tech features are imposed on us all the time, and the speed is killing us. Just one example: documenting a task takes three times as long as it takes to solve the task."
TalkShop/2CG is a conversational knowledge management format were people from different disciplines and departments get together and share their thoughts across hierarchies and cultures. We regularly invite guest speakers and make field trips to get external input and stay in touch with the world. The didactic approach evolved from my doctoral research and for many years I have been facilitating sponsored and non-sponsored communities that have different goals and purposes.
Yesterday, I suggested we focus on the conversation while enjoying some digital detox. And it was not that easy. I think most of us noticed how generational differences change conversations; how we struggle with focus and short attention span; and how the ever-present mobile phone with side conversations going on so naturally and in the open can disturb the flow.
Poetry in Business is an association that targets people and organisations who want to practice 21st century skills, such as communication skills, imagination and creativity, empathy, and critical thinking skills. Pupils of HTL Villach sent me the video below. I designed and facilitated a democracy workshop and invited international journalist Eric Willemsen as input giver.
From what I observe and experience, I would say there is a lot to do. And I hope that more and more decision makers will have the courage to provide space for sharing, reflecting and personal development.
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