Lately I've been using a new way to "draw" conflict clouds (aka Goldratt's Evaporating Cloud). It's
more physical, more right-brained and far easier to do when you are driving. I've found that my wife, for instance, will use the new way, but she won't draw the proper diagrams.
Click on the thumbnail to see the powerpoint model I'm using in presentations.
- I'm using the hands to represent the 2 conflicting entities (the D and D') which flows easy in conversation - On the one hand ... and on the other ...
- I use the shoulders to represent the needs or concerns (the B and C entities), or as I put it "the weights on your shoulders".
- I use the head, the heart and the belly to represent the overall objective or mutual purpose (the A entity).
It is important when using this approach not just to talk about the conflict but to do it physically. Shake your fists when you say "on the one hand", slap the hurt shoulder with the offending hand when you say "my left hand, here, is jeapardizing my ability to address the concern sitting on my right shoulder", tap your head, thump your chest where your heart is, or pat your tummy. The more you treat the conflict physically the more you will feel it within you. Try it, it works.
