Strategic Conversations

From Regional Knowledge Resource Kit

Strategic Conversations is a facilitation methodology developed by Tony Golsby-Smith of 2nd Road Pty Ltd and presented as an alternative to analysis. It draws on the work of Edgar Schein, Horst Rittel, Henry Mintzberg, and Robert McKee, and advances the idea that Aristotle proposed two systems – one of logic and one of creativity and imagination. The methodology tries to rebuild the second way of thinking using tools that teach design and right brain learning. The facilitator of a strategic conversation is able to build a community that creates real outputs and designs new ways to handle problems. The Conversation is developed through the use of spider diagrams for exploration, the AcdB model for planning change, and the Thinking Wave to shape and guide the conversation. 2nd Road believes that visualisation is the key to right brain thinking. A meeting becomes a creative workshop for ideas exploration using visual facilitation techniques.

The ABDC methodology essentially takes the group through the following steps:

• A – explore the situation – where are we now?
• B – create aspiration – where do we want to be?
• C - determine strategies – what do we do to get there?
• D – determine action plans – how do we make this happen?

For further information see www.icvet.tafensw.edu.au/resources/strategic_conversations