Are you feeling confused and overwhelmed by the daily headlines and seismic changes occurring in our world? In their recent London School of Economics blog post "Sensemaking in Turbulent Times", Irene Guijt and Judy Oakden address the challenges change-makers face amidst global uncertainty. They introduce a structured approach to collective reflection, emphasising five guiding questions designed to foster clarity, nuance, and collaboration.
The sensemaking methodology used by Guijt and Oakden aims to equip evaluators and leaders with tools which help make thoughtful decisions during periods of rapid change.
By shifting from individual to collective perspectives, the authors advocate for inclusive dialogue that embraces complexity over binary thinking.
The authors propose five guiding questions to foster clarity, nuance, and collaboration amid uncertainty:
Understanding the Present: Begin by identifying broad patterns in the current context.
Recognising Exceptions: Highlight anomalies to these patterns to introduce nuance and challenge assumptions, acknowledging that not all trends are universal.
Uncovering the tensions: Explore where two diametrically opposed views or facts may be present at the same time. Consider what this means.
Identifying Surprises: Discuss unexpected developments to uncover blind spots and emerging issues that may not fit existing narratives.
Exploring Implications: Puzzle over the of observed patterns and surprises, contemplating their impact on various stakeholders and systems and what other information may be needed to make a decision.
From here, sense makers can decide on possible strategies for the future, informed by the previous reflections, ensuring actions are contextually grounded and forward-looking. By shifting from an individual ("I") to a collective ("we") perspective, this approach encourages inclusive dialogue, moving beyond binary thinking to embrace complexity. It serves as a practical tool for evaluators and leaders aiming to make thoughtful decisions in times of rapid change.
For a more detailed exploration, you can read the full article here:
Feel free to also explore our Sensemaking page to discover more about how Pragmatica uses sensemaking in our work.
