Last week, wondering what to post on the Shifting Stories
blog, I drew up a quick four box model on the back of an envelope about the
stories people tell in organisations. It was fairly light-hearted – not the
fruit of deep thought or empirical research. What surprised me was how much it
resonated with others. As is my custom, I cross-posted it to Linked-In, and it
had a sudden flurry of hits and likes, mainly from people I don’t know.
So always one to respond to feedback, I thought I’d play with some more four-box models
(when wondering what on earth to blog about this week…). In part this was
stimulated by a conversation with my eldest daughter at breakfast this morning.
I am going to meet a charity this morning, with a view to becoming a
trustee. It is one of those
informal ‘meet for lunch and then a brief meeting’ things – not, as I understand
it, a formal interview.
I was remarking that such occasions are not my favourite; I
rather prefer a structured situation where I know the rules of the game, as it
were. I am not particularly adept at informal social situations. But I mused
that perhaps the image I should strive for is ‘committed but not fanatical.’
Annie laughed: ‘Yes, I think either uncommitted or fanatical might not be the
best!’ And instantly a four box
model sprang into my mind. So here is my grid for anyone recruiting trustees
for a charity…
And that’s why I like four box models. Although they only
look at a couple of variables, they do throw up and clarify interesting and
thought-provoking combinations – and they are good fun.
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