‘We don’t have a plane crash scheduled for today, but I thought I’d take you through the emergency procedures just in case.’ (KLM Air Hostess) I love the difference that a sense of humour can make. The air hostess (above) made everyone laugh during the passenger safety briefing on a return flight from the Netherlands today. The airline’s own plane had experienced maintenance problems so it had had to borrow one from another airline. One hostess complained, with a glint in her eye, that the green décor didn't match the blue colour of her uniform. The passengers all laughed when another hostess made an announcement too, aiming to draw our attention to an apparent information light on the plane…only to correct herself moments later with, ‘Oh – this plane doesn’t have one!’ Brilliant. It took the terror out of the turbulence. On a more serious note, I had been in the Netherlands to work with a diverse NGO leadership team, to support its desire to enhance its international teamwork. I referenced briefly a couple of places in the Bible where the writer comments on the amazing potential of human diversity – where the Divine whole is seen, known and experienced to be more than the sum of its parts – yet also hints at the corresponding dark risks of undervaluing, fragmentation and conflict if not. Strikingly, the writer moves on in both places to emphasise a deep need for authentic love as the critical success factor. This insight set a spiritual-existential tone for the day, as we reflected on team-as-relationships. Returning to the plane – but this time as a metaphor, a participant from South Africa asked, ‘How many separate parts is a Boeing 747 aircraft made up of?’ Apparently, the answer is about 6,000,000. ‘And what do these diverse components all have in common?’ Puzzled faces all round now. ‘None of them can fly.’ I thought this was genius. What a great way to dispel the myth of the all-sufficient self in the face of the dynamic complexities of teams, organisations and wider world. We worked through an Appreciative Inquiry next, drawing on positives of the past and aspirations of the present to co-create shared trust and vision for the future. Set the trajectory. Fasten seatbelts. Enjoy the flight.
16 Comments
Lieke Abspoel
24/1/2024 05:01:45 pm
Hey Nick. I hope you enjoyed our country. 🇳🇱 I’m happy you like our sense of humor! 😃
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Nick Wright
24/1/2024 05:06:13 pm
Hi Lieke. Yes, it was the first time I had visited the Netherlands. Everyone I met was open, friendly and helpful. The cabin crew on the KLM flight deserve a bonus for their zany humour! :)
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Liam Fletcher
24/1/2024 05:09:48 pm
Hi Nick. I like the sound of appreciative inquiry. Where can I find out more about it? Thanks for sharing.
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Nick Wright
24/1/2024 05:11:53 pm
Hi Liam. You're welcome. I would recommend having a glance at this article by Richard Seel: http://www.new-paradigm.co.uk/introduction_to_ai.htm
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Chloé Dixon
24/1/2024 05:15:07 pm
Hi Nick Wright. You have my interest. I never imagined to use the Bible for team development. It's very unusual, I think. Where are the places in the Bible that you talked about? Thank you.
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Nick Wright
24/1/2024 05:21:27 pm
Hi Chloe. Yes, you can see this in the New Testament of the Bible. In Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, the writer (Paul) talks about diversity and interdependence. In Romans 13 and 1 Corinthians 13, he talks about the need for radical love. I believed that he did this because he saw the potential and the risks of diversity, and the need for love to release the former and avoid or mitigate the latter.
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Elijah Moss
24/1/2024 05:23:56 pm
To be honest Nick, I don't think those stewardesses comments would have filled me with confidence. I want to believe that the cabin crew know the plane inside out before we take off. Scary.
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Nick Wright
24/1/2024 05:27:07 pm
Hi Elijah. Interesting point. I trusted the ground crew had fully inspected the plane before take-off and that the cabin crew were sufficiently familiar with that type of plane, even if one or two minor points were different. We were flying into a storm that had grounded previous flights and, under those circumstances, I found their relaxed smiles and humour helped to calm my nerves!
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Poppy Kendrick
24/1/2024 05:30:08 pm
Love the Boeing 747 metaphor, Nick. A perfect demonstration of how the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. I'll try to remember to use that next time I'm doing teambuilding!
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Nick Wright
24/1/2024 05:31:08 pm
Thanks Poppy - credit to the South African colleague who shared it! :)
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Brett Salisbury
24/1/2024 05:46:41 pm
The myth of the all-sufficient self. That really got me thinking Nick. Recruitment, selection and performance/salary reviews in my company are all based on individual ability and achievement of company goals. Are we being to reductionist and simplistic?
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Nick Wright
24/1/2024 05:53:06 pm
Hi Brett. I think that's a good and important question. We grappled with similar issues at a global Christian INGO. We recognised that, for instance, individual achievement was often dependent on other individuals or teams - a systemic view, if you like. We shifted our focus from purely individual performance to consider an individual's contribution to others' performance as an indicator of 'good performance'. That made quite a difference culturally. In case of interest, this short related piece could be worth a glance: https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/state-of-interdependence
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Brett Salisbury
24/1/2024 05:55:28 pm
I really like the sound of that Nick. Do you have anything else I could look at to help me think this through before raising it with HR?
Nick Wright
24/1/2024 05:58:14 pm
Hi Brett. This short piece could be worth a glance too? https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/micro-macro
Kathrin Hoffmann
24/1/2024 06:04:37 pm
Hi Nick, what does INGO mean?
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Nick Wright
24/1/2024 07:01:41 pm
Hi Kathrin. That's a good question - and my apologies that I hadn't explained it. INGO means 'international non-governmental organisation'. This includes charities such as World Vision, Tearfund, International Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children, Christian Aid. Does that answer the question?
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Nick WrightI'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? Get in touch! Like what you read? Simply enter your email address below to receive regular blog updates!
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