Time and Space
Briefs need time; prompts need space. Almost all questions we ask and answer are briefs. These are the kinds of destination/outcome questions. They must be collaborated on, even unknowingly. When I ask a group of people, however diverse in background and practices, what is the right work-life balance, they will look at the same place, the center of the communication container, and deduce an answer based on a (perceived but pseudo-objective) utility hierarchy.
Prompts don’t require much time but need something more precious and slippery: space. Prompts ask us to resist the relentless energy and relief of producing a finish line. If I ask others (or myself) what bores you, it is a question that has no direct utility yet but is dripping with meaning. We might be in proximity to each other, but we will look at different places: getting to know ourselves while next to others (allowing ourselves and others high context confusion)
This week, I invite you to consider what bores you.
These are thoughts from week 3 of One Year of Workshops.