Strategic Conversations
Updated by Jennie Burrows, TAFE NSW International Centre for VET Teaching and Learning | July 2005
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 believe that visualisation is the key to right brain thinking. A meeting becomes a creative workshop for ideas exploration using visual facilitation techniques.
The AcdB 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?
Websites
Second Road Thinking Systems
Explains the company’s training programs including Strategic Conversations.
Strategic conversation with industry:future of e-learning
Summary report, published 2006, of the Australian Flexible Learning Advisory Group’s strategic conversations with Industry on the future of e-learning. Example of Strategic Conversations in use. Published 2006.
Publications
SECOND ROAD THINKING SYSTEMS 2003, Meeting to Making, Walsof, Sydney.
A handbook teaching how to facilitate strategic conversations.
SECOND ROAD THINKING SYSTEMS 2003, Thinking with Power, Walsof, Sydney.
A handbook teaching the ability to train the mind to use right brain visual capacities.
SECOND ROAD THINKING SYSTEMS 2003, User based Design, Walsof, Sydney.
A handbook teaching the methodology to redesign products and services from the customer viewpoint.
SECOND ROAD THINKING SYSTEMS 2003, Strategic Leadership, Walsof, Sydney.
A handbook demystifying strategy and making it practical.
SECOND ROAD THINKING SYSTEMS 2003, Conversational Leadership, Walsof, Sydney.
A handbook helping leaders to create the energy for conversation and guide it to effective outcomes.
SECOND ROAD THINKING SYSTEMS 2003, Design Leadership, Walsof, Sydney.
A handbook teaching the potential of innovation design.
SECOND ROAD THINKING SYSTEMS 2003, Top Down Reporting, Walsof, Sydney.
A handbook teaching the ability to create focused relevant one page reports through clear thinking.
SECOND ROAD THINKING SYSTEMS 2003, Information with Impact, Walsof, Sydney.
A handbook teaching the ability to communicate complex information clearly in writing by thinking clearly and expressing fluently.