Cube Tune Up (self or organization)

06/09

Cube Tune Up

Whether participating in self growth or leading a team development session at work, it can be really helpful to use a simple model to frame the explorations and discoveries. Simple is most often best, so memorable and few moving parts helps a lot.

Imagine a cube. Imagine that we are inside this cube. Further, let each of the six faces of the cube represent an avenue for inquiry, a direction for discussion and maybe a tune up. Let us take a business development scenario as an example.

The bottom of the cube represents the foundation of the business. What is this business based on? Maybe, what was the company founded for? Further, what is holding the company up, what is being relied upon? What is the condition of our foundation and basement? How much can the foundation hold if we start building up?

The top is the roof. Again, what is the condition of our roof, that which keeps us covered and that we may take for granted? When was the last time we did a roof and or, attic, inspection? What do we check for when we do that?

The front side represents the way forward and the rear where we have come from, our history. What can we see ahead of us? What do we wish to add, or take away from our path and destination? What still needs attention, respect and protection that lives in our past? What would benefit from a do-over? What can finally be let go of? As we go forward, what needs more preparation, what simply needs patience and what really does not belong in our future? Our history resides on the continuum from past to present and on into our future. What, do we want included? What discarded?

This leaves the left and right sides. The conservative right protects us from too much surprise and risk while, at times, holding us back from opportunity. When is it best  to take leadership from the liberal ideas, methods, and pace of the left that might make our star much brighter. Which is the right risk for us, the risk of the right or the risk of the left. Where is our balance point at this point in time?

Here we stand, a clear view of all six faces of our organization. What shall we do, and what ought we never do? This simple structure can be used, for instance, as the structure of a company wide workshop or retreat. Assign people to each of the six views and have them explore what is there, or could be, and then present to the group. Present the cases for holding as is and for changes. Use them as the entry points to full group discussions about change, celebration, reinforcement and pruning.

• Acknowledge accomplishments
• Propose actions from mild to bold
• Project wins
• Find what the group can most strongly get their collective shoulders behind
• Create a plan for reinforcement and growth of next successes

This model is simple, easy to understand and to apply to group or even just individual growth planning. It works at any scale. People start to share cube language between each other. What parts of our foundation could we build upon? What is still on the right that is worth changing? What is the brightest idea you are considering adopting in your department’s future view? On it goes and it is so easy.

Enjoy exploring and planning for your personal and organizational growth using the cube model. A simple way to tune up your business.

Joseph Seiler MCC