Images in Use: Ecuador

In a visit to Cuenca, Ecuador, my colleague, Andy Cocker, and I worked with a senior class of college education psychology majors.  I spoke little Spanish and the students spoke no English.  Andy translated for us and we had an amazing experience at the Unidad Académica de Pedagogia.  We asked the students to choose a JICT image that helped them answer the question: 

What are your hopes and dreams about your future and your career?  (Cuales son sus esperanzas y sueños parasu futuro y su carrera?)

We were told that the students were used to lecture style and that they likely would hold back in participating.  We found quite the opposite.   

Student after student stood and shared openly and very passionately about their love of working with children and their excitement about going out into the world to seek their careers.  This opening exercise set the tone for a very interactive and rich dialogue that made their professor very happy. He was ‘over the moon’ with joy and we were invited back any time!

Group Discussion Improved with Images

I have asked people in several groups I have facilitated recently, particularly the group leaders, if they think the quality of the conversations would have been possible without using the JICT Image cards.  100% of the time the answer is unequivocally No!  The results we experienced in such a short time period would not have been possible without the cards.  The language that emerges from people is poetic.  There is a flow, a beauty, something that breathes through them – the love that breathes through people.

Images in Use: Iron Horse Christmas Luncheon

The images were a big hit at the annual Iron Horse Christmas luncheon.  The Iron Horse is a group of guys who have been meeting weekly for lunch for over 42 years. Wives are invited to this one traditional event.  I spread out the images across the long table and asked each guest to select an image to express how they felt about this special gathering.  Each person shared from his or her heart and the value of this long standing community was revealed.  Wow, was the conversation different this year from all other years.  

Transformational Testimonial

Often when I suggest to a client that taking a break would be beneficial, they respond with, “if I do, I’ll never finish [fill in the blank]” even after they have acknowledged that they never finish [fill it in] anyway.  Those who agree to try stepping into the peace, report amazing results as with one client who reported “greater clarity, more time, enjoying whatever presents itself in the moment” … peace actually leads to greater accomplishment & productivity.  Dare to try stepping into peace when the stress or anxiety is high; you may be surprised with the outcome. 

   

Wishes for a peaceful, joyful 2011 full of anticipation and wonder as you intend to create the organization (or the life) you intend. 

Image This - Sunset Lake / Dock

 What brings you peace?  Is it a place or a state of mind?  It is something close to this image or entirely different?  How much peace do you enjoy each day, each week?  How would more serve you?  

A recent article shared daunting statistics about social media use that caused me to reflect on peace.  Based on the statistics, 50% of the 400 million Facebook active users logon daily; more than 25 billion pieces of content are shared weekly by users.  From February, 2008 – February, 2009, Twitter’s growth topped 1,382%.  LinkedIn has 70 million members in over 200 countries.  Where is the peace?   

We have become a human “doing” vs. human “being” society.  Many of us thrive on activity, pride ourselves on multi taking and brag about how many things we can do simultaneously all the while, complaining that we never complete, have too much to do, and suffer from too few hours in the day.  

How often have you stopped in the midst of all the “tasking” to step aside for a piece of peace?  What might happen?  Use this image or visualize the place, thing or person that brings you peace.  What commitment are you willing to make for the next two weeks to embrace a daily piece of peace?   

On the Journey - Goose in Grass

As 2010 comes to a close, what is within you that you want to reveal to the world?  What gifts have you been hiding?  What fears arise when you think of sharing them freely?  What do you need to fully embody all that you can be as leader of your organization, your team or your family? 

Picture yourself on December 31, 2011 … what has changed?  What do you anticipate for you or your organization?  What are the conversations that you want to have to generate enthusiasm for what you anticipate in 2011?  How willing are you to take the steps necessary to achieve your goals?  How will revealing all of who you are, contribute to reaching the goals and dreams that you desire? 

Creativity in Action - Joy or Anticipation?

A client chose the image with the hanging glass ball and the question “how does all the glitters distract you from your purpose?”  Her answer was,” it does not … all that glitters inspires me”.  She shared that knowing that compensation for her work (the glitter of money) supports her to live freely and make contributions to the world is a huge motivator.  “I’m attracted to things that have sparkle and glitter, that speak to me of luxury and beauty.”  

The glittering glass globe served as a mantra for growing her business.  As she shared her gifts for educating people, it was the image of the glittering glass globe that inspired her to reach out more, invite conversations and create more glitter in her life and that of others.   

How does all that glitters inspire you (or not)? What brings you joy and where would you like more of it?

Picture Holding Page

Facilitators, Teachers, Trainers: JICT Images to inspire students

I am elated that one of my mentor's, Bob Dunham, who facilitates the Newfield Network's Coaching Excellence in Organizations Course (CEO), has started using the images in his conferences.  He spreads all 72 images out on the floor and asks a question, such as, "What is the value you bring to your clients?" He then asks his students to walk around and pick the card that speaks to them.  The sharing is very rich, heartfelt, and transformative for the group.  JICT Images is that tool that every facilitator, teacher, and trainer needs to bring forth new awareness and shift the energy of a group.

What are you grateful for this holiday season?

During the holidays, we spend time with family and often reflect on what we are grateful for.  This year, I am using the JICT images to inspire a different level of sharing. Before we are ready to sit down for our special holiday dinners, I will ask my family members to select an image that helps them express what they are most grateful for this holiday season.  We will go around the table showing our images and sharing our stories.  I can't wait to see what shows up!

Images for Coaching a Client

A few days ago I was struggling to support a client who was in angst over what she should do about her work situation. I pulled out the JICT Images and spread about 6 JICT Images on a table. I asked the client to center herself and then look at each image and allow words to come from her heart. It was amazing  what she "heard" from the images. She chose one to take home to reflect on more as she considered her choices around her dilemma. What beautiful choices came from the metaphors of images.

Images as Inspiration for What is Needed

I asked participants in a large group to choose 3 JICT Images that spoke to their hearts about what they needed to stay true to their purpose in life. Groups of 3 shared their images with each other. We barely completed the activity in the allotted time as there was so much great sharing created from the images.

Images as Stories

Just wanted to share a wonderful experience I had with my book club on November 1st which is Dias de los Muertos. I hosted a dinner party where each person brought a picture of a relative that wanted to celebrate because they are no longer living. Each person shared a picture of the relative being celebrated and told a story about that person. All of us attached a picture with a story and shared in the celebrations. Images created stories that we will never forget!

Girlfriends: Birthday Lunch Card Purchase & Inspiration

Girlfriends … after meeting for a birthday lunch the group decided to purchase a set of cards for future gatherings. 

The note sent to the creators read:

"At our Saturday YaYa coffee we in attendance voted to all chip in to purchase a set of Irene’s company’s thought-provoking JICT (Journey, Intuition, Creativity, Transformation) coaching cards. At the promotional price with tax and shipping, the cost is just about $80; $10 each is right on the money.

I ordered a kit today that will be shipped to me but will be YaYa property so that we can all share it and use it at YaYa gatherings. What fun -- and inspiring insights – now await us all!"

Birthday lunch use that inspired the purchase: 

 

Each friend chose an image from the set and shared, how it spoke to her and what it represented for the coming year for the birthday girlfriend.

Educators: "How does the image inform you to do your work in a different way?"

Educators who were learning and practicing ontological coaching, chose an image blindly and asked “How does the image inform you to do your work in a different way?” 


The responses were incredible: 

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Feedback #1: One educator who chose an image of a large tree shared that at first it was meaningless to him and as he reflected on it, he realize “I need to branch out”.

This awakening was particularly powerful because to that point, he felt like he was doing an A+ job and had little need to change. Branching out meant, more frequent and meaningful use of technology, including more interaction in his classes and being open to new ways of teaching.

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Feedback #2: Another educator who chose the image of the stream seen between the opening in the rocks shared that for her, it retranslated her need for focus. She recognized that she tends to be all over the place and that more focus would be beneficial to her lessons and her students.

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Feedback #3: A third educator chose the roller coaster image. She immediately chuckled she said because she used to be too fearful to ride a roller coaster; she got over that and now can ride with eyes closed. As she applied overcoming that fear to her work in teaching, she declared that she wants to ensure that fear does NOT paralyze her, wants to be free to try new things even if there is anxiety.

How are YOU using JICT Images with your Clients? Client Example

A new client of mine was asked to choose an image card from a display of 10 JICT Images cards. I asked her to choose the one that would best support the topic she had chosen for her coaching session. All through the session, when “tough” questions were asked, she would first look deeply into the image for support with her answers. The image was so meaningful to her that she asked to take it home for use between sessions. (I was glad to oblige!!) Coaches, please let us know how you are using JICT Images with your clients.

JICT Images is 15% off!!!

JICT Images, LLC is announcing a 15% holiday sale beginning today and going through December 31, 2010.  The 15% off is good towards any of the JICT Images products.  If you haven't purchased your set of JICT Images yet, now is the time.  They also make a great gift for that special someone! 

Place your order now and use code HD2010 when ordering to receive the 15% off!

Use JICTImages for Meeting Facilitation...

Another use for JICT Images: When participants enter your meeting, ask each to pick 2 image cards; one representing where they think the group may go today, and where representing where they would like the meeting to go today. Begin the discussion with what each wants to share. Don’t be surprised that expectations may shift and that the group may just come together to work on a common goal based on their really “hearing” each other’s perceptions! Let us know what happens for your team.

Transformation Testimonial

The Scene
My intervention was to bring a loosely organized international group of US agencies and consulting firms to a place where they could fairly quickly move into deeper conversations about why they weren't working together as a team.  I scattered the cards face up on the tables so the 20 participants could get curious about the images and briefly explained that the purpose of our 1 1/2 day gathering in Mozambique was to develop a shared reality of who they were, why they were there, and how we could come together as a team.  I asked them each to choose an image that helped them express what they hoped they would get out of the meeting and modeled how to begin by sharing my image.

The Result
It was stunning how quickly and with such fervor each person shared his/her deepest desire; in 20 minutes, I could feel the group come together around a shared purpose...each person revealing what they cared about, their connection to each other, their common purpose of saving lives, and how they could collaborate together.  After this very short ice-breaker, we entered our meeting room and jumped into deep conversations.  The images enabled people to go deep and to accomplish what we needed - to be open and trusting and willing to say what was really important to them.  It was truly amazing that we could accomplish this in such a short time.  I plan to bring the cards on all my consulting business overseas.

 ~Scott Brumburgh, Partner Business Advisors Network

On the Journey.....Waxing and Waning Moon

These two black and white images allow you to notice and name which perspective you are coming from.  Now...shift gears to shake off your 'knowing' and look for the alternative side.

Waxing and Waning Moon - Are you waxing or waning and why?  And what do you learn when you chose the opposite perspective?

The light at the end of the tunnel - Where are you in this image?  In most cases you will choose some location in the dark tunnel.  Next, ask yourself what lies ahead for you in the light?

Creativity in Action...Ferris Wheel

During a leadership training seminar, the facilitator invited the participants to move into groups of three, choose an image and share their 'value proposition'... "What is the value that you offer to the world?"  The facilitator was waiting for participants to choose their pictures, when one of his students suggested that he also select an image.  As the facilitator began to share about being on the Ferris wheel with the girls, he shifted from a passive observer to a dynamic participant.

He shared about his upcoming book and his plans to share his body of work with the world.  His personal experience led to an enhanced use of the images.  Each participant chose a different perspective in the image to share...the exchange really opened up.  During the discussion, he shared that he was no longer on the ride; he was the operator controlling the ride!  By his active participation, he allowed his humanity to show.  If you are facilitating a group, make sure you participate when using the images and you will deepen your connection with your audience.

User's Intuition - Personal Use

Q:  I bought the cards for my personal use.  What are some ways I can use these with my family?

A:  As you begin a family dinner, ask each family member to pick a random card out of the pile.  Then ask each one to use the card to answer one of the following questions:

• How can you use this image to share part of your day with us?  Or how is this image a reflection of your day?
• How does this image speak to how you feel about your day today?
• How can you use this image to share something with us that we do not know about you?
• What does this image remind you of that happened today?

Value of a Metaphor: The Meaning it Creates!

I just love how www.ChangingMinds.org discusses the definition of a metaphor. After sharing several dictionary definitions, the website discusses that the value of a metaphor is the meaning it creates. That is the value of JICT Images. Any person using an image card will construct meaning from the image. It is what our brains are designed to do… create meaning out of whatever we think, see, or hear. When we create meaning, we go deeper… straight to the heart of the matter for us and sometimes we surprise even ourselves. So, what do you think about what I’ve said? What experiences have you had with an image where meaning shifted because of the metaphor that appeared for you?

User's Intuition

Q: How might I use the images for members of a new team in introducing themselves?

Setting a scenario: You are the leader of a new team within your organization. You desire to create a sense of community from the very first meeting of this group.

A: Display the images on a table and ask team members to select the first one that catches their eye. Then allow a moment for them to really open themselves to their image. Ask each one to share what the image is saying to them or about them as they join this team.


JICT Images allow people to get in touch with what is truly important to them. We have experienced that when people allow their intuition to speak to them about one of the images they move very quickly to the “heart of the matter”. People actually speak from a deeper emotional level where what is most important to them is revealed. Open and honest communication is more easily facilitated.

Creativity in Action... Seedpod

Click on image to enlarge

This beautiful seedpod inspired a participant in a personal development seminar to explore what she needed in her moments of struggle to continue doing what she believes is her life work. The woman chose this image as she explored the terms: “groundedness, faith, perseverance, fearlessness, and joy”.

“I see a beautiful seedpod is like me. I have a gift to give that is multifaceted. It is grounded in the truth that it will create new life. I have faith that each seed will be planted in someone. I will persevere… move ahead with the help of others who will carry me forward. I am not afraid of where each seed may fall. I find joy in this adventure.”

JICT Images 20% off!

JICT Images is 20% off through October 31, 2010!  Enter discount code "JICT20" when ordering.

Order now!

Use this amazing tool as a catalyst to enhance your journey!  This product, filled with 72 evocative images and open ended questions, is designed to employ the use of metaphor to lead people to deeper emotions and thoughts and offer fresh ideas for accomplishing goals.  This product is used by coaches, facilitators, leaders, managers, and educators, in both group and individual settings.

Now 20% off!!!  Enter discount code "JICT20" when ordering.


Metaphors enhance your journey...
JICT Images are the catalyst!

Creativity in Action

Click on image to enlarge

This cabin teetering on the edge of a cliff, inspired the member of a team who had decided to realign responsibilities.

We are anxious to make this change, forge ahead and put the change behind us.  What this image evokes for me is that this is a major shift, we need to take it one step at a time.  Rushing the process will cause the shack to fall off the cliff.  Satisfaction with a slower shift will ensure a strong foundation and sustainability.  We don't want to fall off the cliff!

Users' Intuition

Q:  How does using JICT Images impact the dynamics of a group?
Setting a scenario:  One team member refuses to delegate responsibilities, work slows, others are frustrated, errors increase and performance suffers.  Conversation moves to a blaming, excuse giving place.
A:  JICT Images on the scene:  Using an image allows those in the conversation, through metaphor, to identify the barriers.  Using the rafting image in relation to the inability to delegate, one might say, if I let go I'll fall out of the raft, I'll be out of control, I'm not sure the work will get done.  What has been revealed now is that fear and lack of trust are undermining the person's ability to truly be a team member.  This allows the group to have a conversation that will open possibilities for change.

"Image" this!

Close your eyes and imagine you've just left the station and are charging uphill on a roller coaster.  What are you feeling as you hear the chains drag the cars up the hill?  What physical responses are you having?  What thoughts are in your head?


Now, allow yourself to be taken on the flat part of the ride before you reach the 75 degree drop....what has changed?  How do you feel now?


And finally, you are on the edge of the descent and then....DOWN!  FAST!  FURIOUS!  Now what has changed?  What is present?  What is the physical response now?


This experience engaged all domains, something most of us only infrequently experience.  When we are fully engaged, creativity is vastly expanded, as is our awareness.  Expanded creativity and awareness open new possibilities which lead to different actions; results change.


JICT Images allows groups to expand awareness which leads to tapping intuition and creativity so that transformation (change) can be more easily accessed.

How JICT Came to Be...

It all began in 2007 when 4 professional coaches began to explore how they might work together to create some kind of product that would serve anyone who facilitates groups of people. They discussed how sometimes each of them and/or one of their clients had experienced some difficulty in getting a group to get to “the heart of the matter” and getting beyond just what is felt and said from the head. These difficulties might happen when desiring people to connect with others in the group so they can function better as a team, when planning a course of action for a new opportunity, or even when tackling a challenge a group is facing,

These four coaches represented diverse communities across the U.S. and Europe and they wanted something that would work with any group, anywhere. Jane Kerschner (east coast U.S.), Irene Kelly (midwest U.S.), Carol Harris-Fike (western U.S.), and Tom Hatton (Europe) had studied ontological coaching in a program called: “Leadership & Coaching: Increasing Results through Powerful Conversations”, designed by Newfield Network and sponsored by Villanova University in 2005. 

Ontological coaches understand the connection of all of who we are as human beings… body, emotion, and language, and how that connects us with ourselves and with others. This understanding leads to the use of questions and practices that involve getting in touch with all parts of one’s self. So, most conversations among ontological coaches, with each other or with their clients, involve all three domains. 

In the case of Jane, Irene, Carol, and Tom, meetings always began with a check-in and maybe a little laser coaching, if requested. Often the use of a metaphor was helpful in describing the emotions or thoughts around some situation and in stating an intention or planning for actions. Knowing the power of metaphor, these coaches focused on creating a tool employing the use of metaphor that would more quickly lead people to deeper emotions and thoughts and, thus, fresh ideas for accomplishing goals.

Read the full JICT Story or Order JICT Images

Announcing JICT Images!!

JICT Images... box of 72 images with open ended questions on the back of each photo should be ready for purchase by spring 2010. It has been a blast choosing our images and brainstorming questions and quite a challenge to reach agreement among the four creators:

Jane - from Chevy Chase, Maryland; Carol - Montrose, Colorado
Irene - Minneapolis, MN; and Tom - Germany

The great thing about using images as a tool in coaching, facilitating, teaching with individuals and groups is that you are surrounded by images. We all have our personal photographs and magazines are filled with powerful iimages so they are readily accessible. However, we know how long it takes to gather them up so we decided to do the work for you! A few of the photos and questions are posted on the left of our Blog...see what you think. JICT Images is great to use with a group or individuals. The manual includes a list of possible uses...all tested with our clients.

The use of images is truly limitless. We will be posting ideas on this site and hope you will try out our ideas and share some of your own.