Hosted by five GenerationQ fellows (Helen Crimlisk, Jennifer Hill, Steve Harrison, Ruby Smith and Fiona Kew) who each work in different parts of the system within Sheffield, including acute care, housing and mental health, this visit focused on how relational leadership across the area can be used to bring about improvement and tackle some of Sheffield’s difficult challenges.
How interesting I made a mistake!
We all make mistakes, learning can be painful but brings personal and team bonding.
Humans are fallible and so mistakes are inevitable – how do we use them to make things better? The first session of the day invited attendees to consider how they (and the organisations that they work in) view mistakes. Leading by example Jennifer Hill and Fiona Kew shared personal stories and anecdotes of how vulnerability in leadership can be powerful, particularly in creating a culture that is open about mistakes and creates opportunities to make improvements as a result.
Lets take value from the failure and mistakes. Opportunities for learning! @theQCommunity #QVisits pic.twitter.com/rrrGd63Yg2
— Paula Reilly (@riskyreilly) November 21, 2018
Here’s something I learned along the way
After a coffee break, attendees were invited to participate in a world cafe-style break-out session focused on specific techniques that each of the five GenerationQ facilitators have found useful in their work contexts. Each technique was framed as a way to nudge culture, with actionable changes that attendees can use or think about in their own contexts, rather than jumping in at the deep end.
Changing meetings
Deconstructing the good, the bad and the downright ugly of meetings, Fiona got participants talking about ways to make meetings a productive use of everyone’s time.
When it comes to meetings, what do you love and what drives you nuts #Qcommunity? @fmkew takes us through changing meetings for the better #QVisits pic.twitter.com/iN1oEcicYO
— The Q Community (@theQCommunity) November 21, 2018
Using stories
Having shared personal stories of failure earlier in the day, Jennifer read aloud from Geoff Mead’s Telling the story: The heart and soul of successful leadership and encouraged participants to explore how they might use storytelling in their day to day work.
“Storytelling allows you to connect with the values of another person.” What role does storytelling play in your work, #QCommunnity? Can sharing stories make you a better leader? #QVisits pic.twitter.com/iC31A5nEiN
— The Q Community (@theQCommunity) November 21, 2018
Icebreakers and check-ins
From a how are you feeling check-in to eXtreme rock, paper scissors, Steve Harrison shared his top hints and tips for breaking the ice at the beginning of a meeting or workshop to energise, set the right tone and get the best out of participants.
Appreciative Inquiry
Shifting from a problem-focused approach to Appreciative Inquiry can pay dividends and is applicable to a host of situations. In her session, Helen guided participants through how they might apply Appreciative Inquiry principles in practice.
First #QVisits for me today. Really thought provoking sessions on the topic of relational leadership. Really enjoyed the Appreciative Inquiry session, we’re using that approach on our #ITSGrandDesignDay tomorrow. @theQCommunity @LindseyDarley1 pic.twitter.com/zabB0VyA5z
— Joanne Street (@JoanneStreet9) November 21, 2018
Thinking Environments
Space to think and being present in the moment were key themes throughout the day, but particularly in Ruby Smith’s breakout session, inspired by principles from Nancy Kline’s Time to Think.
Something to sustain me
Over lunch participants were given the option to get involved in different activities that sustain more than just our bodies. These included a short Pilates session, a trip to a nearby gallery and a poetry reading.
#QVisits @theQCommunity @HealthFdn
3/5 Something to sustain me
What sustains me? What preparation do I need to do to be at my best?
Pilates,poetry,art,space,literature pic.twitter.com/3XZIgF1Rdy
— Helen Crimlisk (@helencrimlisk) November 21, 2018
You know, that’s not such a bad idea …
The penultimate exercise of the day saw participants split into 4 groups, each allocated two random words (think enormous and goat). Each team had to pitch a product to the group named after their two unrelated words, using the yes, and principle to build on suggestions while brainstorming.
A fun, creative exercise, improvising in teams around two random words and then pitching to the group – so much creativity in the room revealed in 1 exercise, imagine how much there is in the whole #Qcommunity! #QVisits pic.twitter.com/zAfGkzkmq4
— The Q Community (@theQCommunity) November 21, 2018
Stradivarius has nothing on the Amazing Violin – made with real unicorn hair ?? #QVisits pic.twitter.com/P0I2MLMsbc
— The Q Community (@theQCommunity) November 21, 2018
Fork Roof demonstrating a two-pronged approach – solving lots of world problems including plastic waste ♻️ #QVisits pic.twitter.com/H53H3D8mRb
— The Q Community (@theQCommunity) November 21, 2018
Introducing … The Sparkling Avocados! ✨? #QVisits pic.twitter.com/C1Hd56wDwH
— The Q Community (@theQCommunity) November 21, 2018
Check-out
In the final session of the day, attendees shared what they had learned throughout the day with the group and what they would take back to implement in their organisation.
Checking out after a busy, thought-provoking day #Qvisits @theQCommunity pic.twitter.com/si8mnnpHWo
— Emma Adams (@emmaadamsGenQ) November 21, 2018
#QVisits @theQCommunity @HealthFdn
Doing things better together
5/5
What can I take home with me?
Pledges, being brave, finding a buddy, staying safe (beware perceived weirdness index) pic.twitter.com/pigsg0IQDv
— Helen Crimlisk (@helencrimlisk) November 21, 2018
Sat on the bus home reflecting on such a positive day exploring leadership and quality improvement through creative approaches #qvisits and had fun … ? @theQCommunity
— Jane McKeown (@JaneMcKeown1) November 21, 2018
For more information on this and other visits, see the visits homepage or contact the Q team.
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