Developed by Otto Scharmer as part of his Theory U, journalling is a self-reflection technique that encourages us to take the time to deeply analyse our own thoughts and feelings in relation to a particular question or project, with the intention of then implementing concrete actions.
Time needed: 20 to 45 mins
Materials :
- A calm space where everyone has a level of privacy
- Something to write with
During this individual exercise, there are a few key principles we must remember:
- Write first, reflect after
- Answers to the questions must be as spontaneous and natural as possible
- Whatever you write belongs to you
- The participants aren’t required to share their notes in public
- It’s an experience in itself
Journalling can be followed by a group reflection session with the other participants
- Start by explaining how journalling works: “Let your hand guide the way. It’s not about thinking then writing, but about putting pen to paper and just writing down whatever springs to mind.*”
- Invite the participants to respond to your questions one by one, leaving at least one minute between each question.
As you read out your questions, move calmly around the space so that you can make sure you’re attentive to the pace of the group and sensitive to how much time has passed: don’t let your questions drag on, but don’t hurry through them either.
The participants mustn’t write the questions down: instead, they should respond to them “without thinking”, letting their ideas flow naturally.
Exemples de grilles de questions issues ou inspirées de la théorie U :
Questions on intention, the “why”
- What question, if I respond to it, could have the biggest difference on the future of my project?
- What is it about this topic that’s important to me and why?
- What attracts me to this project/subject?
- What is the intention behind this project/topic?
- What do I know so far?
- What do I need to learn?
- What are the dilemmas and opportunities that I can see?
- What hypotheses do I need to test out or challenge regarding my project/subject?
- What new answers have I found since the start of the workshop?
- What matters am I no longer concerned about?
Questions to connect ideas and find new points of view
- What ideas are emerging?
- What new connections can I see appearing?
- Since the start of this exercise, what now makes more sense?
- What has surprised me?
- What is challenging me?
- What am I lacking?
- What do I still need to clarify?
- What new answers have I found since the start of the workshop?
- What matters am I no longer concerned about?
Questions to encourage further action
- What do I need to do in order to really make a change in my project?
- What am I lacking?
- What help do I need?
- What are my next steps?
- What have I learned about myself through this project? Through this question?
- What can I prioritise?
- What is fundamental and will make a difference?
- What will be most difficult to implement?
- If I didn’t need to see immediate results, what brave choice would I make right now?
- To help the participants let go, you could ask them to start the session with a few deep breaths, either with their eyes open or closed.
- Only ask open-ended questions (that they can’t reply yes or no to, and that don’t suggest a specific answer), in order to encourage exploration.
- You can adapt the journalling questions to suit your aim or the culture of the group you’re working with. You could, for example, organise your questions:
- from more general (“How do I feel after today?” or “What can I take away from today”) to more specific (“What is my next action for this project?”)
- from more factual to more creative, including questions that touch on emotions
- in terms of scope (e.g. from me to my team to my company, or the other way round), etc.