I had some good conversations yesterday prompted by my post about Jaffa Groups.
This idea has been forming in my head for a long time, and it’s fun to finally put it out into the world and explore what it might mean to other people.
One thing I want to do is draw on Robert Kegan’s idea of being deliberately developmental – encapsulated in the idea that struggles are treated as opportunities for growth rather than deficiencies.
Easy to say, more challenging to do. So many HR processes can use the language of growth but when you read the 360s and all the rest there’s usually a massive subtext of compliance, not exploration.
I think in a group of volunteers who are peers, it’s possible to have a different kind of contract with each other. We can be more open about our struggles. We can resist the urge to fix each other. We can dream more interesting dreams and find different ways to struggle together.
That’s one of the things I’m aiming for with Jaffa Groups. More to follow.
(Photo by Thomas Millot on Unsplash)
