Tools of the trade: beyond the question

Monday, 05 July 2010
What if collaboration was like woodwork? How would that help us think about the tools, materials, processes and places that we create and use?
What does it take to get the job done?
Technology has to do with tools. In this case, I am looking at tools for people to get things done together, whether they are drawing in the sand, writing with pens, modelling with clay, acting out a drama, or even using computers.

So, when I’m thinking about the knowledge, skills and attributes of facilitation, leadership and transformation, I sometimes find some type of physical analogy helpful. The knowledge, tools and skills are all clear.

For example: there is an amazing variety of saws just for wood – table, power and hand; western and japanese, big to tiny; rip, cross-cut, tenon, dovetail… It’s one thing to know about them, it’s another thing altogether to be able to use one.

Here are some woodwork type categories to be going on with:
  • Design brief. You must determine what the client and/or situation really wants.
  • Materials. Style, quality and cost are all important product considerations! Also, what consumables (eg: sandpaper) will you need?
  • Work flow. You have to organise your work to deliver the specified product/s – on time and on budget. Different materials require different ways of working.
  • Tools. Choosing the right tool for the job is a skill on its own, let alone being able to use it well! And don’t forget maintenance.
  • Work space. Being well set up makes a lot of difference: materials storage, space for tools, work-bench/es and moving around, good light & ventilation...
Of course, we don’t always need the latest whizz-bang tool to achieve good results. Check out this photo of a carpenter in the Punjab. He is turning out good quality results in less than stellar conditions. The difference is the experience and skill that he brings to the task.

Image by Atif Gulzar
Some questions to help you use this type of analogy to explore and explain the knowledge, skills and attributes of facilitation and leadership:
  • What thoughts occurrred to you as you were reading this?
  • What other types of work could you compare and contrast with?
  • How would you implement any fresh insights in your practise?
So, what’s your experience of choosing and using tools?

Go well!

David Jago