January 19th, 2022
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By Jim LaDoux
What gets inspected gets improved. What’s tracked becomes transformed. Find ways to assess proposals and ministries through multiple angles of vision. Listed below are two ways I frequently use to reflect, rethink, and reinvent, and to make better decisions. Try both approaches in the near future!
1 | ASK QUESTIONS LIKE A JOURNALIST
- WHY are we considering this? What is the purpose? How does it fulfill our mission?
- WHERE is this leading us? Is it helping us live into our vision?
- WHOM are we seeking to serve? What are their needs? Do we offer what they need?
- HOW will we launch this ministry? What is the plan and process for moving forward?
- WHEN might we launch this? Is this the right time? How long will it last? When will we assess results?
2 | TRY ON EDWARD DE BONO'S 6 THINKING HATS
Each hat is a different color, representing a different evaluation task. Assign leaders within your group a color, asking them raised questions about the proposal or program being discussed through the lens.
White Hat (symbolizing available or missing information)
White Hat (symbolizing available or missing information)
- What information do we have?
- What information do we need?
- What information is missing?
- What questions should we be asking?
- What energizes us about this proposal?
- What’s our gut instinct about the plan?
- What are our feelings about what we’ve discussed so far?
- How do we sense others would respond to this idea?
- What will this cost us in the way of time, money, and human resources?
- What are the possible downsides to this proposal?
- Who else has done this? How did it work for them?
- Is this the best use of our resources?
- What do we like about this idea?
- How might we build on what’s been proposed?
- What other possibilities are we overlooking?
- Who else should we talk to for more ideas?
- What are the steps for moving forward if we decide to act?
- Who is responsible for each step?
- Who else needs to know about the decision we’re making?
- How will we get the word out to people?
- What criteria will be used to determine if we’re successful?
- What are the good points about this proposal?
- What are the benefits for moving forward?
- Who would benefit from this program or ministry?
- How would people experience these benefits?
QUESTIONS | APPLICATIONS
- Which approach intrigues you? Why?
- Which approach comes more naturally to you?
- When could you see yourself using De Bono's thinking questions with groups?
- Which questions would be helpful for team members to consider BEFORE a meeting?
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