Colourblind Testimonial

"Colour Blind": seeking resolution and relationship between obscure shapes, identifying colours from under one's blind-fold. This is a group exercise that neatly replicates the periodic confusion and loss of vision experienced in our workplaces, through which change gallops apace.

Colour Blind leads the individual to a fuller questioning of their communication style and listening skills. Outcomes may be identified at two levels: one, the individual's response to his or her own role in the exercise: 'How do I make sense of these shapes'? 'What words and phrases do I use to convey this and what value, if any, is this adding to the exercise as a whole?'.

At the second level one watches the group at work; how they interact with each other - or not. One group of senior project managers did not utter a word for the first 10 minutes or so; without any consultation each had taken the decision and considered that the solution could be sought independently of one another, whatever the rules had stated.

Colour Blind creates a territory in which the group must devise a strategy for progress. The solution is achieved only via co-operative information and ideas-sharing, and a respect for the equal importance each member plays. The assured group will establish a means of progress based upon collective ideas and information sharing. The less confident individual will focus on the problem as opposed to the direction, and allow themselves to be diverted by more outspoken players.

Whether or not groups resolve the task, the learning from Colour Blind is rich. It is an exercise that revitalises self-awareness, and rewards a sense of accomplishment from a start of utter obscurity. Humour and laughter play a huge role, and groups have found this in itself to unleash unspoken tension.

From the facilitator's point of view Colour Blind is a gift: easy to set up and explain, and provides a rich "hands-on" learning exercise. I applaud its versatility, creativity and sheer good fun - hurray for future factory learning!

Kirsty Leishman