Creative tools / Beyond the blah blah / Atlassian community event / Ultimate skills workshop / Is it information or consultation?

Cut through the blah blah

It's a question we can wonder - how do we grab someone's attention or alert them to important information, how do we cut through all of the noise and information we're overloaded with.

If you've seen any of my 'stuff' you'll know I use visuals as a clever tool; for myself and my own thinking and for engaging, communicating and collaborating with others.

Oh, and it's a great influence tool too!

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Atlassian Community - Melbourne - Lynne Cazaly

Atlassian community - Melbourne

Join me at the next community event in Melbourne on July 24. I’ll speak about information overload and cognitive load coping as a modern way of working. The agenda is stacked with clever - not to be missed. Register here

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4 of my creative tools

This article prompted me to share some more insight about my creative processes.

This is a little more about the art we do ourselves and it doesn’t have to be that paint/draw/clay art you might think about when you see the word ‘art’.

Here are 4 ways I use art and creativity in my life and I know these help me feel better, get me through the shitty tough times in life (cancer, covid, grief), inspire and yet relax me, and give me ideas out of the … nowhere!!

Here we go :

1. SKETCHING and DOODLING

If you’ve seen my presentations, read my books, been in my workshops or read my posts you’ll see I use visuals. From originally using marker + paper 10 years ago, I’ve more regularly used an iPad + Pencil and many different apps. I make visuals for purposeful communication but also like ‘farting around’ 🤪 to see what I can do. Not trying to be perfect; just exploring and wondering. I'm running a skills workshop on this.

2. IMPROVISATION

For many years I’ve been a fan, audience member, student and now performer in shows with Impro Melbourne. There’s comedy improv we likely know but there’s also the learning and unleashing and making up stories improv. The spontaneity, narrative, stories, word play, characters and communication that improv gives me is multi-player, multi-level and multi-world stuff! There’s so much to learn yet it’s such a playful and creative art. I’m better with improv in my life and I feel blah and meh when it’s not part of my art.

3. WRITING

Yes I’ve written books, posts and blogs and some have called me ‘a machine’. But it is also creativity. I have a thought — oh my, lots and lots of thoughts — and I explore the thought with the written word. Are you imagining me sitting diligently at my laptop? No. I’m messy scribbling things in a journal, onto sticky notes all over the dining table, into a notes app. Anywhere. I love thinking deeply about things and writing with a marker from Muji and any paper or my digital device/s whether in a notes app or via voice to text.

4. FIBRE ARTS

This is my most recent creative arting. I’ve done a few basket weaving workshops and they’re wonderful but too small, constrained, prescriptive and ‘do it like this’.

I love the materials — leaves, vines, palms, sticks sticks give me sticks - I stop the car to ‘pick up sticks’ and add to my growing collection. Wonderfully surprising to me is how this art is evolving - I will be having an exhibition 7-27 October 2024 in Melbourne at Gasworks Arts Park in Port Melbourne. Details to come. I have more sticks to collect and things to make.

So there are 4 of my creative arts that mean I am a human and not a machine. That I think deeply, care even deeper and want to feel good about myself in this world like the rest of us.

Art is an essential.

Let me know, do you art, and what do you do?

And here's the article that inspired my thoughts...

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Invited to a consultation but it was an information dump - by Lynne Cazaly

Invited to a consultation -- but it was just more information

You know all of those consultations and conversations - promoted that way - but in reality, when we're there in the meeting, in the workshop, it's just more information?

If we're leading the consultation or meeting, we may not know how best to explain which pieces truly are for consultation and which bits are already set in stone.

We might fear the tension or conflict of people annoyed that they didn't get a say in a process.

Or we might ask for input secretly knowing nothing they say is going to make a shred of difference.

Sadly, then, we 'dress up' an information dump as consultation.

People give their thoughts, ideas and opinions and are of course annoyed when none of them are really recognised, acted on or implemented.

It's a modern day work pattern and it wastes plenty of time, effort, energy and ... performance theatre. It's also a part of the cynical cycle where we can't be bothered contributing to a consultation because ... 'well nothing ever happened with what we said anyway".

You can hear the cynicism and feel the defeatist feelings.

Check now:

• Where and when are you planning on consulting with people in your business?
• And exactly which pieces of information are you going to consult with them on?

If there's plenty of informing or information dumping on them, choose other ways than the valuable real time face-to-face meeting or workshop.

Make a video! A short one.

Go more asynchronous rather than a synchronous meeting.

And most of all, don't dress up an information session as consultation or worse... collaboration!

Age of haste/Show your thinking/Obsessed with activity/Share your knowledge/Do nought/Best at the end Lynne Cazaly CSP

Show me what you're thinking...

Could you? Or would you talk about it for awhile? Or spend way too long working on a detailed pack of information - with too many charts, with pillars and cogs and pie charts?

Thinking is evolving and so can our skills -- to show what we're thinking.

Visuals, scribing and sketching have become powerful tools to help with thinking, brainstorming, communication, collaboration, learning and coping with information overload.

Given there are so many benefits to using visuals, it's a shame that we discount our abilities to sketch and draw and therefore don't use -- or wildly underuse -- these clever and powerful skills.

Is it time to add this capability to your toolkit so you can:

🧰 quickly sketch out ideas

🧰 communicate complex concepts

🧰 think more clearly

🧰 take better notes (that you'll actually use again) and

🧰 make sense of all the information you're drowning in?

Yes, totally!

And these are even more epic skills for hybrid times when some people are here, some are there and conversations are remote, online, in person or asynchronous - happening at all different dates and times and locations.

I've been helping people cut through with their thinking and communications, make sense of their complex ideas and influence and engage others with ease.

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3 school students …

walking behind me along my local shopping street.

I was obsessed, eavesdropping on their conversation. They were coaching, advising and guiding each other through various parts of their school project. It was divine, clever, pointed and clear.

They were asking questions of each other. And they were eagerly contributing suggestions, ideas and insights.

One student shared a point or two about part of the assessment.

And then I heard it - another of the students said,

‘What was that? Share your knowledge?’

The student with the knowledge then delivered a succinct, clear and capsuled few sentences. Brilliant. No waffle. No grandstanding. No blah blah blah.

The group coaching was impressive.

The direct ‘share your knowledge’ request… even better.

And then the tight piece of knowledge delivered was the slam dunk, the cherry on top.

Students. Overloaded with information and learning … and developing mentally, physically and emotionally at record speed. And still this clarity in the asking for and the delivering of information.

Boom. Superb.Try it. Ask a colleague to, ‘share your knowledge’.

And if you’re ever asked, try to be succinct, clear, insightful. It’s harder than it sounds.

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Obsessed with activity

Do do do do. It’s not a song! It’s the obsession many workplaces have with wanting their people to be busy doing.

As if activity = productivity.

And if you’re not busy doing then you’re not ‘engaged’ or ‘performing’.

But the cultures of interruption and disruption (and not that innovative disruption either!) are growing in the workplace.

The 8 features of a badly disruptive workplace are outlined in this Psychology Today piece — and the list is looking increasingly like the standard workplace.

Read on and then reconsider these 4 points:

▫️how you’re leading people

▫️what constitutes performance

▫️how you know people are engaged and

▫️how your work practices need to evolve.

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In the age of haste

The treadmill of life is accelerating at such a pace, many of us are overstimulated, overwhelmed and overloaded. All the time.

Perhaps

▫️Timefulness

and

▫️Longstorming can help.

Autocorrect knows neither of these concepts, attempting to change them into tunefulness and long-standing!

But these are two ways we can consider how we cope with the changing world and all of its busy newness.

In redefining our relationship with time as it is whizzing by, timefulness helps us refresh our experiences of

▫️wonder

▫️curiosity

▫️awe and

▫️introspection.

And lonsgoeming, err I mean longstorming, is more about nature, the outdoors, and venturing ‘out there’ so you can

▫️step back

▫️slow down

▫️and deliberately think about the longer term.

Writer and social scientist Vincent Ialenti shares some deeper ideas, building on the philosophies of others in this Psyche article.

You’re probs too busy to read it or don’t have the mind space to change your speed and consider its suggestions.

But save it. And savor it. These might just be some ways to help us rethink what we’re doing and how we’re so hastefully doing it.

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But I can’t do … nothing

Among the trends of toxic productivity, the endless workday and the society of should, lives a little thing called ‘relaxation anxiety’.

Doing nothing. Well, at least doing less.

In a recent keynote and workshop on cognitive overload, participants fessed up about the challenges of taking short breaks between meetings, work tasks, work and the rest of life, and … little breaks for no reason at all.

And they found it tough.

We’ve been so slogan-ed into getting as much out of our time that the idea of getting less out of it — or getting nothing at all but rest out of it — can feel guilty, wrong or naughty.

That’s a habit gone too far - don’t ya think?

As we continue to evolve ourselves, knowing when to stop is as important as when to go go go.

Pausing, resting and recovering are all mighty valuable uses of our life and times - so get on with it. Resting. Whenever you can.

A micro rest here, a sliver of sleep there, and a spot of doing absolutely nought … right now.

Read more about it in this TIME article

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The best can come at the end

There have been a few more conferences on lately -- the events industry keeps picking up the pace, more events, more registrations, a more healthy return to eventing together ... in real life.

A quick survey of the last six conferences I presented at:

only one of them used a deliberate summary/synthesis/wrap up session that went beyond, 'Oh well, that's it, wasn't it great, see you next time.'

And the one that had the deliberate conclusion... I was facilitating it. Ha! 🤩

But seriously, it seems a waste to have a massively curated conference event program, full of speakers, panels, insights and messages, a-ha moments, learning, revelations and updates and then... what? Bye?

Missed opportunities right there. Big mistake. Big.

The collection, curation and co-creation of insights gathered at the event can be harnessed, revealed, elevated and shared.

And by more people than just the MC sharing things from their perspective.

Stop keeping all of the conference insights a secret!

The wrap-up or conclusion of the event can be a hugely impactful experience; deeper insights, more learning, sense making, ideas for application, possibilities for future connections - they're all possible.

Most conference events pack in so many speakers, presentations, panels and topics ... there's little if any time to digest, learn, share or embed the learning moments.

Facilitating a shared synthesis and a curated closing is a sure way to multiply the value people get from the event.

It reminds people of key messages, fills gaps from sessions you couldn't get to, and shows us what happened when we were distracted by emails and the love for our devices.

I can't wait to facilitate the next conference event closing this week where all my skills of improvisation, facilitation, co-creation, creativity and performance come together to extract insights -- in a friendly way -- from conference delegates.

There's so much value in that conference room at the conclusion of the event. Don't keep it a secret. Multiply the benefit and ROI of the event for delegates.

Yes... a best bit CAN be the wrap up when all of the other best bits come together!

How to decline meetings/The work environment matters/Visual mapping in schools/Dreamers dreaming/Audio book recording/

Decline 1 in 3 meetings

Decline, delete or at least press the ‘Maybe’ button on the invitation. 

The point is, don’t automatically ‘Accept’ meeting invites — you’re creating too much synchronous work (in real time work with others) and it’s taking up too much time in your schedule. 

We might accept meeting invites by default, automatically, habitually. 

Real time meetings, chats and other ‘now’ happenings are thieves of time, attention, energy, progress and motivation. Real time should be saved for the really, truly important stuff. 

This year I’m sharing techniques on how to deliberately #meetless

Do you think declining or deleting an invitation is being rude? 

If so, before you accept or delete, ask a clarifying question like: 

• why am I invited to this meeting; could you give me a bit more information please?
• could I see the agenda for the meeting please and then I’ll decide whether to attend
• why is this meeting being called
• I’m not available to attend this meeting; how else can I contribute to this work? 

Many workplaces simply don’t provide an alternative way of participating, contributing or being involved in work … unless you’re there, at the meeting. 

And that’s not inclusive enough. It’s a dated way of working. 

But as times are changing and modern work is evolving, more people are realizing the cost of meetings and actively questioning them. 

The exclusion and drain of meetings — the time, effort, energy, resources and motivation — ARE worth calling out and pushing back on. 

Meeting culture has gone unchallenged for too long. 

It’s time to #meetless

Start by:

🟥 removing 1 in 3 meetings

🟥 declining 1 in 3 invites

🟥 questioning 1 in 3 requests. 

Meet less and you’ll make more and better progress.

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Three Driving Changes Impacting How We Work Today

Thank you to Leaderonomics for sharing this article on the changes to work. 

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Visual Mapping Techniques in Schools

I worked with the heads of department and wellbeing staff at Strathcona Girls Grammar recently. 

No PowerPoint. Woo hoo!

What did we do? Whiteboards and visual mapping tools for better meeting processes, greater creativity and deeper connections with each other … and students. 

Here are those committed and dedicated professionals, hard at work, before the students arrive in the next few days for the new school year. 

It was such a pleasure to work with them with these visual collaboration tools. I returned later in the week with a session for all staff!

If you're an educator, teacher or work in schools, get in touch to find out more about BWOW Schools - Better Ways of Working. 

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Dream on dreamers

Our brains aren’t meant to operate at optimal efficiency. All the time. 

Here are a few ways to offload your thoughts:

🌕 allow yourself to lose focus. We can’t keep at it all day.

🌕 let the mind wander to daydream and access your creative ideas/

🌕 try cognitive offloading. When you’re overloaded, offload by writing things down, typing them out or … I love to use the Voice Memo on my phone. Then it’s gone from your mind. Aaaah!

Don’t let cognitive overload burden you. 

Know a few techniques like these that will help you not just overcome overwhelm … but outsmart it — and be at the ready for the next time it happens. Read more in this article in Fast Company.

✨See more in my book ‘Argh! Too much information, not enough brain: A practical guide to outsmarting overwhelm’. It’s available in paperback, ebook and audio book. 

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Where work gets done

- A grey cubicle with no line of sight of other people, everyone baking under fluorescent lighting. 

- Walking outdoors listening and talking. 

- A cafe-style set-up with chairs and tables and a buzz about the space. 

- A lounge environment with comfortable seating, smooth edges and a menu to choose from. 

- A park bench in the shade with a view of the playground and the kids playing. 

The world of work and where work is done keeps evolving. 

With devices, software, apps and our smarts, many of us can work from a variety of locations, environments and spaces. 

And yes, many people don’t get to access this level of flexibility. But increasingly, people want greater control over the ‘where of work’.

They know the environments in which they work best. They have preferences for how things work for them and where they like to do paid work. 

It includes things like:

▫️Location and accessibility

▫️Arrival facilities or neighbouring facilities 

▫️The physical space available to set up, move about and spread out (hello to the spreader-outers!)

▫️The features, fittings and design of the space

▫️The equipment, furniture, power and resources available 

▫️The overall ambience and vibe of the space …

 This list isn’t exhaustive but it can help reveal that the things important to me, may not matter so much to you, and what’s a must for you, may not be on my list at all. 

On a recent visit to meet with the good people at Steelcase in Melbourne, I got to see more of the contemporary design elements, new furniture, equipment and tools that make for a modern workspace and workplace. 

Businesses are refreshing and updating their spaces — whether staff come in to the office frequently or not — so there are enhanced spaces for:

▫️Conversation

▫️Collaboration

▫️Silence

▫️Privacy

▫️Creativity

▫️Productivity

▫️Focus

▫️Recharging 

… and 

▫️Choice. 

The variety and choice of space in which to work helps match our mood to the task, our personality to the space, and our energy to the outcomes. 

The variables are many when we consider HOW people want to work and WHERE they do their best work. 

The refreshing of workspaces, workplaces and work environments is booming. And ‘where’ is part of the decision making process for many candidates in choosing to apply or accept a job role. 

Someone controlling where you work is about control … not about setting up the best possible working environment for where work gets done. 

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Testing 1 2 … 

I spent two half days in February 2023 recording the audio for my book ‘Sync Async: Making progress easier in the changing world of work’. 

It's great to work with the team recording at SquareSound in Port Melbourne — it’s where I’ve recorded two of my other audio books ‘ish’ and ‘Argh!’  

They know what they’re doing. It’s a pleasure to work with a professional team and to take your ideas from out of your mind, onto the page and then in to an audiobook. 

There’s been a lot of interest in the ebook and paperback for ‘Sync Async’ and many questions about whether there would be an audiobook … so I decided an audiobook would be a ‘yes’! 

Use your Audible subscription to download and listen. 

⭐️What’s async work all about? 

Have a read of this article in Leaderonomics 

Or this article in Forbes 

Or get the ebook or paperback of ‘Sync Async’ from wherever you get your books. The audio book is coming soooooon!

‘I love your posts and pictures!’, they said

‘Oh, thank you,’ I said. ‘Now theres a heap of them together ... in the one place.’ 

I’ve curated a collection of ideas, posts and imagery from the last year or so and published them in ‘Better Ways of Thinking and Working’. 

In this era of change, uncertainty and complexity, how are you adopting better ways of thinking and working? 

What are these better ways, anyway … and how do you get started?

In this 180 page full colour collection of practical and mind-shifting essays, you’ll find inspiration, insights and a path to better.

It also features the practical, creative and inspiring hand-drawn visuals that accompany many of my ideas. 

When you need a shot of insight, a change of perspective or a reframing about how you could do things, possibilities are on every page. 


‘Better Ways of Thinking and Working: How Changing The Way You Do Things, Changes What You Can Do’. 

Get it here

Your brain loves closed captioning

It seems captioning has taken off among the non-hearing impaired — and for good reason! 

The subtitles on that film or series you’re watching 
- help boost retention 
- improve comprehension 
and 
- help fill the gaps when someone talks over the dialogue! 

It’s proving effective for people learning a new language, for children building their reading skills and can lift levels of engagement in those with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and Mild Cognitive Impairment. 

For many other reasons too, this mixed mode of taking in information is booming. 

We know people love watching a YouTube video with the sound off and taking in the captions. It’s booming elsewhere on TVs and screens the world over. 

Are you a subtitles fan? 

Read more about the boom in this article.