Thread by @johncutlefish

Here is a way to build alignment. It is easy AND challenging. It works for groups up to ~5 ppl.

Step 1:
Pick a person at random. Pose this question:
“What do we know about [x]” where X is the problem/opportunity/topic/whatever.

Write that down. Keep it <10 words.

Then.. (1/n)

Step 2:
Move to the next person. They can:
* Ask a clarifying question, ask for data/context
* Propose a refinement of the statement
* Give a thumbs up (they agree 100%)
* Give a thumbs up to a prior refinement
* Propose a “footnote” or caveat

Repeat this.... (2/n)

Step 3:
As you continue you’ll start to get an idea of the situation:

1) lots of unknowns (we can “know” unknowns)
2) lots of competing interpretations of the data
3) convergence on a statement of fact
4) broad truth that doesn’t really help anyone
5) etc.

Keep it up (3/n)

Step 4:
Quickly you’ll either get somewhere or not. And that is ok. If you converge on something you can align on, or agree you need to learn, record that!

Next: next statement (Step 1). One by one. Doing the hard work.

Output — series of statements that you agree on (4/n)

What is powerful here is that teams get hung up on areas of disagreement without acknowledging what they DO know, and DO agree on, or collectively don’t know,.

Normally, these convos just spin out of control ... posturing, defensiveness, etc. (5/n)

Even a statement like:

Right now we have lots of mixed signals about this and very different views of X can be powerful.

Instead of hiding uncertainty under the table, we embrace it (6/end)