Why is it always so complicated? 10 steps to understanding.

1. Join in: This isn't a passive blog post that you can just read. This is an active blog post. If you want to get the most out of it, you're going to have to participate. Find a pen and piece of paper? Got that? Good. Lets get on.
   
2. Start Writing: Make a list of five people that you really admire. They might be famous people, they might be friends, they might be family. But write down five names of people, living or dead that you really admire.
3. Say More: Now. by each of these names, write a one-word reason that you admire this person. What is it about them that you really like? Their courage? Their kindness? Their laziness? What?
4. Don't Forget the Bad Guys: OK, now we do the same for the bad guys. Make a list of five people that you really don't like and don't admire. It might be that you struggle, it might be that you could write all day, but just for now, lets stick with five names of shame.


He's on my list

5. They have a name for people like you: Just like we did with the good guys, for each name on your list, write down one word to describe why you don't like this person.


And so's he - comedians and philosophers, what does that say about me?

6. Close your eyes: Now this is the part where you have to use your imagination. Look at the two lists of names that you've written and imagine that all ten of them are standing together in a crowd.
7. Imagine: And now imagine that this crowd of people you like and don't like is standing right in front of you, obscuring your view of the world.


He's on my list. But which one?

8. Look around you: Wherever you are, look at the other people who are around you and understand that all those people have a crowd of people in front of them. A different crowd of people that they love and loathe. And that for you and for them, this crowd of people, this list of things you hate and admire, acts as a filter to the world.


Grrr. So's she.

9. You'll be amazed: If you aren't already doing this, marvel how anybody manages to to talk to anyone at all.
10. The more you know: Understand that the more information you have about who is in another person's "crowd" and the more aware you are about who is in your own, the better your chances of communicating.

For further information, contact Mark@agilelab.co.uk (07736 807 604)