Working Principles

• Think in an organized manner about disorganized information with people who have different viewpoints on the same situation.
• Recognize that issues and solutions are technical, conceptual, organizational and social. One ignores any of these factors at great peril.
• Involve others in the process. They know the situation, I don't.
• In listening carefully, try to understand the underlying issue.
• Help underlying issues emerge.
• From issues define specific problems to be addressed.
• Develop a solution that demonstrates that a solution exists.
• The client, a contractor or another consultant invariably produces a better solution having seen that one is possible.
• Focus on definitions rather than terminology: progress is faster.
• All meetings require careful preparation.
• Participants in a group meeting should participate in the preparation.
• Group meetings that have at least one overnight are much more effective than those without.
• Individuals or subgroups take ownership of issues and propose resolutions.
• There are some things I don't know anything about. I won't work in those areas.