This document discusses using metaphors and multimedia simulations to enhance organizational collaboration. It provides examples of two simulations - Team Everest and Shifting Sands - that address leadership, decision-making, and change management. It also outlines processes like Fist of Five and Four Directions that can support collaboration. The document recommends resources like SAGE and NASAGA for those interested in learning more about using simulations for learning.

1. Copyright InCourage, Inc. April 2010
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Facilitating with metaphor and multi-media
to enhance organizational collaboration
Tim Dixon
InCourage, Inc.
dixon@incourage.com
1-888-392-6666
IAF Conference Presentation
April 22, 2010
Generating the Courage in Individuals for Sustained Performance in Organizations

2. Copyright InCourage, Inc. April 2010
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Thoughts On Using Metaphor In Experiential Practices
A single word can possess multiple meanings; yet as the common expression goes, one picture can be
worth a thousand words.
And if a picture can be worth a thousand words, then one experience can be worth a thousand pictures;
And if an experience can be worth a thousand pictures, then one metaphor can be worth a thousand
experiences.
But in the end, a metaphor possesses value only when:
✔ it is able to interpret the right experience
✔ in a manner that provides the right picture
✔ that produces the right words
✔ that have deep meaning
✔ for that particular person.
Mike Gass, The Book of Metaphors, Volume II, 1995, page xv.
…we believe no matter how good “the show” is,
the facilitator has a role in forming that meaning
Generating the Courage in Individuals for Sustained Performance in Organizations

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Differentiating Metaphoric, Business-Based and Behavioral Simulations
Experiential Activities Business Simulations Behavioral Simulations
Generating the Courage in Individuals for Sustained Performance in Organizations
Adventure-Based Challenges
Wilderness Programs, or Search & Rescue simulations, facilitator serves as
learning guide and provides safety.
Metaphoric Tasks/Games
Egg Drop, or Bridge Building team tasks, facilitator serves as learning guide
and contrives scenario.
Adventure-Based Multi-Media Simulations
Team Everest or Shifting Sands simulations, facilitator serves as learning
guide and applies lessons presented in the story to specific organizational
issues

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Comparison of Two Simulations
Team Everest
Potential “on-line delivery” and
highly customizable “open-source
design” characteristics
Participants decisions parallels
Canadian Everest Team, with
various consequences
Content focus - teams &
leadership - positive and the thrill
of the story offers an
“edu-tainment appeal”
Sophisticated technology
Shifting Sands
Û 4 core modules with 7 optional “plug &
play”
Û Steve’s journey explicit throughout
simulation, a catalyst for conversation
Û Content focus - change - can be
“heavy” and serves best when anchored
to specific change issues
Û Robust learning opportunities
Generating the Courage in Individuals for Sustained Performance in Organizations

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Overview of Team Everest
With the vast array of complex, and at times ambiguous information bombarding organizations, team-based
decision-making is often an arduous process. Team Everest is a sophisticated multi-media simulation that
highlights the value of shared leadership, the importance of explicit decision-making processes, and the power
of a shared vision for collaboration on a team.
Based on an actual expedition in 1986 that brought the first North American woman to the summit of Mount Everest, this
simulation virtually transports team members to the mountain where they make critical decisions regarding the climb. Some of
these decisions are based on very little information, others based on too much information given the amount of time to make
the decision. Regardless, your team must live (or not!) with their decisions.
Decision 1 Resolving the tension between personal values and a team-derived vision statement.
Decision 2 Experimenting with different decision-making methodologies for collaboration
Discovering the necessary team dynamics for effective decision-making under adverse conditions of
time-pressure, information complexity, ambiguity and overload..
Learning to make strategic decisions in the face of tactical pressures – managing the polarity of the
attending to “the important” without ignoring “the urgent”.
Decision 3
Decision 4
Generating the Courage in Individuals for Sustained Performance in Organizations

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Overview of Shifting Sands
Is Your Organization Prepared to Cross the Desert of Change? Change is like a desert. It is vast, it can seem endless and it is
easy to get lost. Shifting Sands is a multimedia simulation of Steve Donahue's crossing the Sahara Desert. This engaging
experience developed by InCourage Inc., in partnership with Steve Donahue, is based on Steve's real life odyssey across the Sahara,
the world's largest and most treacherous desert. With this shared metaphor as part of the corporate culture, employees will be better
prepared to help each other seize opportunities while moving efficiently through any transition.
Change Principles Addressed
❧ Defining organizational purpose
❧ Defining processes to transport the organization
❧ Finding balance
❧ Saying good-bye to ‘old systems’
❧ Ensuring you keep moving without getting stuck
❧ Recognizing the importance or rest, rejuvenation, reconnecting.
❧ Finding new ways to do business
❧ Examining the appropriate speed to move through change
❧ Examining the adaptability of the team.
❧ Drawing opportunity from crisis.
❧ Identifying the benchmarks that indicate completion
Optional Modules
Choose Your Vehicle
Load Your Vehicle
Hot Shower
Nomad
Move at the Right Speed
Travel Light
Keep Moving
Core Modules
Choose Your Purpose
Say Goodbye
Opportunity & Crisis
Oases
Generating the Courage in Individuals for Sustained Performance in Organizations

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A Process for Supporting Collaboration
Fist of Five: Four Directions:
Generating the Courage in Individuals for Sustained Performance in Organizations
Here is a simple and universal way to better
understand yourself and those around you; the magic
comes when we leverage this diversity for collaborative
opportunities on teams.
The 4D self assessment enables participants to profile
their “task orientation”. Here is a brief description of the
four directions and why they are relevant when seeking
collaboration:
•North: Path of Competition-Ambition. Brings
direction and motivation. Plays to win and is
goal and solution oriented.
•East: Path of Ingenuity-Invention. Brings
ingenuity and enthusiasm. Carries new
beginnings and new direction.
•South: Path of Heart-Collaboration. Brings the
synergy of Team. Focuses on building
relationships.
•West: Path of Reflection-Meaning. Brings
observations of patterns of the past. Finds new
meaning through experience.
•Centre: Path of Character-Integrity. The path
that includes all paths. Carries a 360 Degree
perspective and the ability to act effectively
based on the situation.
Not every decision requires consensus. But when
all members need to support a course of action, a
team needs an efficient method for accessing the
degree of buy-in to avoid talking in circles.
Consensus may be found by calling a Fist of Five
on the suggested action. At the count of three, all
team members rate their degree of support for that
action using the fingers on one hand to
communicate:
•Five Fingers: Stop talking about it and let’s do it!
•Four Fingers: I have a question or concern, but it
is not worth slowing us down (maybe ask me later
off line); I support this action, let’s go.
•Three Fingers: I have a question or concern and I
do want to be heard before I can support this
action or decision.
•Two Fingers: I object to this and must be heard.
•One Finger: Be careful which finger you choose
to show.
•A clenched fist: Now you are really looking for a
fight!

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A Process for Creating Metaphoric Simulations
Organizational,
Team or
Leadership
issue to address
Diagnostic or
Prescriptive
Learning
- program message
Instructional Design Team
Technical Design Team
What issues are we facing: What metaphors are compelling:
Generating the Courage in Individuals for Sustained Performance in Organizations

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Where can I go to find out more?
www.sageforlearning.ca/ or http://www.siat.sfu.ca/research/projects/31/
Explore the potential of technology–based simulations and games for learning.
SAGE researchers are addressing the interplay among:
1) the exploding popularity of technology–based simulations and games for entertainment;
2) new technologies for appealing, immersive, engaging simulations and games, and
3) growing evidence that learning works best when people collaborate, practice and reflect on their learning.
www.nasaga.org/
NASAGA - a growing network of professionals working on the
design, implementation, and evaluation of games and
simulations to improve learning results in all types of
organizations.
www.aee.org/
The Association for Experiential Education (AEE) is a
nonprofit, professional membership association dedicated to
experiential education and the students, educators and
practitioners who utilize its philosophy.
Generating the Courage in Individuals for Sustained Performance in Organizations