Forbidden Words
A ‘mini-world’ is a specific field, place or situation which serves as a microcosmos where we can explore model scenarios and discover and test solutions.
By transposing the issue into a mini-world, we reframe it in a more concrete, specific and manageable context. This also enables teams to get an outside perspective on their own problem. By building bridges between this microcosmos and their own, the group works together to identify real-world opportunities.
This recipe works best when you can use a clearly framed problem as a starting point; it will not only deliver a broad range of ideas, but can also allow groups to take one step further and narrow down their selection of ideas by probing them in the mini-world, and beyond.
Instructions
- Give participants a few minutes to just let their ideas flow and jot down thoughts, whatever comes to mind. The only direction given is to keep on writing.
- At the end of the set period, ask volunteers to share some of their thoughts aloud.
- Instead of an individual writing exercise, this can also take the form of a shared board where everyone is free to write, draw, doodle, edit and combine following their inspiration.
- Discuss the results together and note interesting thoughts on a separate board.
Example
To quickly understand how this works in practice, apply it to a concrete personal question. If you are wondering what might bring you more job satisfaction, consider your current position and imagine stretching it, or applying a different texture. Or maybe you had a disagreement with someone. What would it mean to reverse it, or put it into music?
Sample list of verb commands
Stretch it, Squash it, Make it visual, Make it transparent, Reverse it, Collapse it, Use a different texture, Put it into music, Make it cooler, Make it hotter, Personalise it, Sharpen it, Harden it, Soften it
To use this technique to best effect, it is important not to tell the group right away that they will not be able to use the common words in the second part of the exercise. The group generally completes the first task with a lot of enthusiasm: asking them to then put the list aside creates a surprise effect, and laughter, as they will “regret” their thorough work in part one. This generates the right kind of energy for the next step.