Change? ‘How Might We’?
New job? Latest software update have you pulling your hair out? Digital transformation making you feel like you speak alienspeak? We've all been there, grappling with change like a cat with a curtain. But what if we told you there's a potential weapon that could help leap over such challenges. This secret weapon isn't a high-tech robot or a chip that holds all secrets of the world—it’s a question: "How Might We...?" (HMW).
Curious? Well, this seemingly simple phrase can be your Swiss Army knife in a world brimming with nuts and bolts.
HMW: The Socrates of Modern Problem-Solving
HMW’s roots stretch back to the 1970s, courtesy of business consultant Min Basadur who wielded it like a magic wand in corporate corridors. And it goes even further back. Sidney Parnes, the American academic who worked on creative problem solving used to toss around "Invitation Stems" like "How Might I?" & “In What Way Might I..”, paving the path for HMW.
And then there's Socrates, the old chap who wouldn’t stop asking questions. His "How Might I?" was less about operational efficiencies and more about existential musings, but the spirit of inquiry.
How Does HMW Work? Let's Play Pretend
Imagine your company suddenly decides to swap emails for a chat platform that seems inspired by alien technology. Old-school approach? Announce it and keep your fingers crossed.
But with HMW, you can actually have some fun:
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The ‘Might’ in HMW holds HMW together. It makes it loaded with potential and opportunities and induces conversation. In our workshops and conversations, whenever we drop anchor on the ‘might’, we generate options and possibilities far better!
And the ‘We’ in HMW is a firm pointer for harnessing collective intelligence and energy. It gets groups talking and thinking as a collective.
HMW in the Wild: Safari Through Life's Jungles
Think of HMW as your all-terrain vehicle cruising through the rugged landscapes of personal and professional life. New city feels like a labyrinth? "How Might I make new friends but avoid the oddballs?" New baby, and you’re drowning in advice? "How Might We streamline baby duties without turning into sleep-deprived zombies?"
Unleashing Creativity
Back at work, HMW is like the corporate equivalent of an open mic night for ideas. It’s where "How Might We streamline the onboarding process?" could lead to a virtual reality tour of the office. Or "How Might We reduce our carbon footprint?" might spawn a bike-to-work scheme with added perks.
So, the next time you’re staring down a thorny challenge, just toss a "How Might We" into the mix. It’s your conversation catalyst , a perfect nudge to open the floodgates of creativity. Change isn't just something to be feared. It needs to be harnessed And with HMW? You have an important tool. Step in and get creative.
You could begin with the question, “how might we use HMW”? :D
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