Perspectives  Dallas Chapter of ASTD Membership Newsletter  -  July 2007  << Table of Contents <<

 

 

Initiating Change - Black Hole Activity

by Shirley Lee

 

When I teach change management or facilitate a change agent/leader work session, I use an activity I created called "Black Hole."  In it the participants brainstorm change initiatives that succeeded or failed.  Afterwards we discuss why some failed and why others succeeded.  It makes them much more receptive to learning how to facilitate change since they do not want their initiative to go into a black hole too.

 

I have shared this activity with several of my colleagues over the years since it’s creation in July 1997.  They too have found it a very good tool to use to introduce change ideas or as a wrap-up activity at the end of a session to drive home key learning.  Below I share the basic facilitator instructions with my fellow trainers at Dallas ASTD.  Please use it or adapt it to fit your change management or transition planning needs.

 

Purpose:

Emphasize the need for good sponsor or champion in change process.

 

Supplies required:

•       Flip Chart Pads and stands

•       Tape

•       White index cards

•       Blue or green index cards

•       Flip chart markers (for instructor and participants)

 

Prior to activity:

Prepare Flip Charts:

1.                  Swirling Black Hole (draw with black marker)

2.                  Upward Shooting Star (draw with orange marker)

3.                  T column chart with “Black Hole” over 1st column and “Change Star” over the other

 

Introduction to activity:

Explain the necessary roles in the change process.

 

Table activity:

Divide participants into small teams at tables

First, give the teams white index cards,

1.                  Have teams “Brainstorm change initiatives you can remember over the last __ (months or years) that did not happen as expected or did not happen at all.  List each one on an index card.”

2.                  Allow 10 minutes for brainstorming.

3.                   Collect cards

Second, give the teams green (go) or blue (sky) index cards,

1.                  Have teams “Brainstorm change initiatives you can remember over the last __ (months or years) that did happen as expected or went well.  List each one on an index card.”

2.                  Allow 10 minutes for brainstorming. 

3.                  While team is brainstorming for new cards,  arrange the white cards on the black hole flip chart  and tape it on the wall.

4.                  Collect colored cards, arrange them on the shooting star and tape to wall.

 

Group activity:

•       Explain the negative phenomenon of black hole.

•       Then explain the beauty and fascination of the shooting star. 

•       Have room brainstorm the differences they saw in the changes and write response in  appropriate column on T-chart.

(Examples:  Management Support was high/low, training was/wasn’t given, communication well handled/non-existent, etc.)

 

Debrief the activity

Give helpful hints in the Change Management Process using some of the items they noted on the T-chart.   Sponsor and/or Champion role should be one of the hints.

 

 

About the Author:  Shirley Fine Lee is the author of “R.A!R.A!  A Meeting Wizard’s Approach”, which is a quick guide to planning and conducting meetings so that they are as productive, effectual, and smoothly run as possible.  She has considerable training and expertise in leading effective meetings herself, as well as training others within the corporate world to be able to do the same.  Shirley has worked as a training and development specialist since 1986, and an independent consultant since 2000.  She has extensive experience helping organizations with their team building, training development, meeting facilitation, presentation delivery, and other communication needs. She has been an active member of Dallas ASTD since 2000.  You can find out more about Shirley and how to contact her on her website at http://www.shirleyfinelee.com/.