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.

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.

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

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?

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.