4 Qs - Diverge to Discover

Quintessential Thought

We’re continuing in our series about facilitation, walking through the four phases of a collaborative conversation.

After the alignment of the first phase, Context, we shift into the Diverge phase.

Here, we collaboratively explore the possibilities, discovering options for “whats” and “hows” to make progress toward our shared goal. As you can imagine from the word “diverge,” the discussion can vary widely and include many options that could conflict with each other. This may feel a bit messy - it’s part of the creative process.

To diverge well, ideas need to be invited and allowed, even ones that might be unfeasible, expensive, or undesired. If ideas are discarded or eliminated in the diverge phase, the creative free flow of ideas is short-circuited, which will result in poorer options and results. (Hang on, though…we’ll reduce options in the next phase, Converge.)

Here are several practical ideas to encourage divergence:

• Brainstorming principles and practices

• The “Yes, and” practice that builds upon others’ ideas

• Mind mapping, visualizing connected ideas

• Silent sticky storming, inviting introverted thinkers’ and quieter participants’ ideas to come out

• 1-2-4-All, bringing energy to the conversation while balancing introverted and extroverted thinkers

Why do this if someone already knows the best solution? If we’re in complexity, that solution may not actually be the best; an alternative may be better, or an improvement could be offered. If we stay in either-or thinking (do this option or don’t), we will tend to make poorer decisions. (For more decision-making tactics like this, check out our newsletter Better Decisions > Perfect Decisions.)

Additionally, if we’re trying to employ the multiplying power of teams, collectively exploring (and selecting, the next phase) a solution is a strong way to build collective ownership. Diverging as a team is a tremendous way to build the team’s self-organizing muscle as they learn how to make decisions together.

Quotes

"To have a great idea, have a lot of them." - Thomas Edison

"Divergent thinking is a distinct form of higher-order thinking that can be taught to all ages of students." - Dan Rothstein 

"None of us is as smart as all of us." - Ken Blanchard

Quick Step

Select one of the divergence practices above and try it the next time a group of people is trying to make a decision.

Question

What is the cost when this divergent process is skipped or interrupted?

Professional Scrum Product Owner, Mar 17-20

Want to chat? Reach out to [email protected] so we can help you get Unstuck!

Also, subscribe to our YouTube channel or connect with us on LinkedIn, where we’re posting even more content than we have in this newsletter!