Writings
Flow
September 09
Whenever we work together in teams, there is always
the potential for producing great work in a truly
collaborative atmosphere. More often than not,
though, the experience tends to produce frustration. We
may get the results we want, but the process feels
strained and pained. We can't wait for the work
to finish, we're exhausted, we can't stand some
our fellow team members. Or, we truly enjoy each
other's company but fail to accomplish our goals.
We're too polite, lack clear direction or got bogged
down in process and then give up.
What's missing is a conscious understanding of the dynamics that allow teams to accomplish their results, with a clear process, while maintaining and enhancing relationships. What's missing is an understanding of flow. We hear that word mentioned when it comes to dynamic performances in sports, the performing arts but seldom in our organizational life. It can be defined as a mental and emotional state of operation in which the team is fully immersed in what they are doing, characterized by a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity. It is a feeling of being so consumed by the work that you are doing that you lose all sense of time, yet feel totally engaged. Rather than feeling exhausted by the process, there is feeling of energy and enthusiasm. We feel like we are a part of something creative and dynamic.
We can all imagine times when we experienced flow in teams we've been a part of. While you can't make flow happen, or will it into being, there are conscious steps we can take to facilitate its occurrence, to make it more likely that it can happen. I call them the three C's: Clarity, Connection, Creation.
Clarity has both an internal and external dimension. Internally, I need to be clear about my intention in being part of the team. Am I there to show other's how much I know, to be the one who comes up with the right answer, or to look good? When it's all for show, there is no flow! Or am I there to listen, to learn, to offer my perspective and be open to outcome? With humility comes possibility.
The external dimension of clarity has to do with understanding the group's purpose and desired outcomes. Why are we here? What is it that we want to have happen in our meeting (or series of meetings)? What would success look like at the end of our time together? While the outcomes are very clear when we are talking about teams in the sporting arena or performing arts, too many of our meetings in organizations lack a clear focus and a clear direction. The result is often chaotic and frustrating. When we don't know which we to go, there is no flow! Conversely, when we are clear, flow is near!
Connection also has two components. There is the connection to the ideas we are speaking about as well as to each other. In other words, we connect through the mind and the heart. The skillful use of advocacy and inquiry enable us to explore ideas without getting bogged down in right/wrong, my way or the highway. Through the embodiment of reflective listening or as a colleague has named it, compassionate listening, we connect with one another. We feel heard, understand and included. When we feel connected in heart and mind, flow becomes much easier to find!
With clarity and connection, we become more available to create the results we are looking for. Through the free flowing exchange of ideas, in an atmosphere of mutual respect, we move into a creative space. From this place, we can sense what is truly trying to emerge through our collective efforts. It no longer becomes a process of trying to crank out the best ideas, through painstaking mental effort. Rather, the group itself becomes a vessel/container that receives inspiring, generative ideas. It feels effortless, even though it requires effort to get to this point. The group senses a deep knowing that reflects that it is indeed flowing!
Creating the conditions where we can experience flow requires practice, patience and perseverance. We need to become more conscious of the ways we unconsciously block the flow as well as put into practice those tools and perspective that facilitate its emergence in our collective experience. It is a journey well worth taking.
Exercise: Flow
Take a moment to reflect on a group you a currently working on and ask yourself these questions.
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Are we each clear both internally and externally about our purpose, vision and the conditions needed to work well together?
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Are we focused on developing connection both to the content and to each other?
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Are we creating the results we want?