Why does 4MAT start with WHY?

The clear answer is of course to create motivation…

·????? In training – the learners motivation

·????? In meetings – the participants motivation

·????? In leadership – the employees motivation

How do we facilitate that process and not just tell our audience WHY?

4MAT helps us with that….

You open the process in Quadrant One - The WHY phase, bounded by the parameters of direct experience at 12:00 and reflective observation at 3:00.

Oneness: What the participants will experience

·????? Personal, meaningful connections based on experience

·????? Shared storytelling to correlate meaning

·????? Meaningful dialogue with peers about the possible meaning of the topic

·????? How to see the topic in context, encompassed in some larger idea

·????? How to speak in their own subjective voice

The goal in quadrant 1 is to build relations and to give the participants a sense of having been there, too. Participants will experience the diversity of how others see things while gaining insights into their own experiences in discussions with others. This often creates high interest in the topic to come. This is where participants become aware of the value – They find their own WHY….

In Quadrant 1, participants will:

·????? Experience the challenges the topic will solve

·????? Focus on present and past understandings

·????? Gain a sense of I know something about this, and I want to know more

The climate is one of trust and openness, with permission and encouragement to explore diverse meanings. The method is discussion of experiences. The participants engage in collaborative knowledge sharing, each contributing their individuality. The facilitator initiates, motivates, and creates experiences that captures their attention and encourages perspective sharing.

“Start with WHY – How great Leaders inspire everyone to take action!

In business it doesn’t matter what you do, It matters WHY you do it”

Simon Sinek

Facilitating the WHY...

Your facilitation task in Quadrant One is to engage the participants in an experience that will lead them to value and pursue the topic you initiate. Get them to see how the new knowledge will connect to their lives/jobs.

Knowledge sharing is not rote; it is how we make meaning. It is directly related to how we feel about what we now know. When we talk about successful knowledge sharing, we are talking about feelings and answering the Why?” questions:

·????? Why do I need to know this

·????? Why is this topic valuable in my life?

·????? Is there a larger relatable context?

Answer these questions by making connections with your opening activity in training, meeting facilitation and all kind of knowledge sharing.

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4MAT Quadrant 1 is about Making Personal Connections.

For example, how would you address the WHY, when implementing a new IT system in a company?

Would your answer be:

• Because it is best for the company or
• Because it is cheaper/more effective that the old one or
• Because the law requires it.

All those reasons have some validity, but they have no personal meaning for most of the employees.

What is the personal WHY for the employees?

• Because you will always be able to find the answer to a customer in the new IT system - which leads to satisfied customers, which leads to great days at work instead of answering phones with angry customers or
• Because you improve your IT skills managing a new worldwide known popular IT system, which actually leads to personal value and skills directly to your CV – and we of course help you the whole way with IT course and IT support or
• Because it will be easier for you to work in our different departments worldwide, who now have the same IT system. You will fulfill your dreams about working abroad...

In other words, the knowledge you share must carry its own WHY? and its own benefit for the individual participant. They must see the validity of the topic for themselves, or you will struggle to keep them focused and attentive in the training or meeting….

The 4MAT method helps you in learning, leadership and development.

4MAT Masters feel free to join our popular 4MAT Master Class, connect and share knowledge with ohter 4MAT Masters...

If you are not yet 4MAT Master - We welcome you in our 4MAT Basic training - 4MAT Mastering Training Design.

Thanks for reading - Feel free to reach out for a dialogue about learning, leadership and development...

Best Hanne Houbak

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