Challenging Assumptions™

We first introduced Challenging Assumptions within our Breakthrough Thinking toolbox, and began using it in a wide variety of situations where we wanted people to truly understand the message 'Change is something that you really have to work at. You will be surprised at how strongly we can hold onto "old patterns of behaviour".'

Like most good designs its simplicity is its virtue - people just loved this activity so much that we had to produce it in volumes and package it as a stand-alone toolbox. It has taken us a while but we are finally satisfied with the design of this tool and can now offer it for commercial sale.

This simple activity lasts between 10 and 20 minutes and is an ideal way of raising the awareness of a group of learners about the pre-conceptions and assumptions we bring into new situations. This is very valuable in problem-solving or innovative thinking processes as it highlights how we can limit our thinking and reject new possibilities if they do not fit with our existing patterns. Each toolbox contains two puzzles allowing two groups of 3 to 6 learners to work on each puzzle, comparing and contrasting approaches to 'Challenging Assumptions'.

Learners, aware that it is being used on programmes with an element of creative thinking or innovation, often say things such as, "I'm going into this with a really open mind" or "I'm not going to make any assumptions about this". However, these words are often uttered as they are making those very assumptions! As they realise this, the response is often laughter, surprise and a genuine recognition of the strength of some of our personal mental models.

Like most of our toolboxes consider using this as a 'sensitisation' tool - getting learners ready for the content to follow; or as a 'reinforcement' exercise - perhaps reminding learners at the end of a session of how difficult it is to put their new learning into practice when they leave the training session.

Clients who have purchased Challenging Assumptions include:

Adam Smith College, Creative Partners,  Intelligent Finance,  Lab SSJ - Brazil, Evolve Partners - USA, Yorkshire Water, RAF, University College Cork - Ireland, Federal Reserve Bank of Denver - USA, University of Warwick, Eijakjelin - Finland, International Paper - USA, IMD - Switzerland, Kingswood Plus, Label Works - Denmark, Talent Partners Oy - Finland, Veritas Consulting - Taiwan, Training Resources Group - USA,  Syngenta, McDonalds Restaurants, Bank of Scotland, BOC, Irish Management Institute - Ireland, Chinese Culture University - Taiwan, Nutshell Communications, Towerhill Insurance Group - USA, Norton Rose, Fredrich Alexander Universitat - Germany, Brewery Arts Centre, University of Leeds, Northern Lights Rock and Ice - USA, Tebu - Australia, OCC - USA, Middlesex University, Stubbers Adventure Centre, National Construction College, University of Cambridge, University of Hull, Instituto de Liderazgo - Spain, Foreign Commonwealth Office, RWE Supply and Trading, RAF Halton, Cumbria Police Authority, The Care Commission, Nestle Purina - USA, Booz Allen Hamilton - USA, Senn Delany Leadership - USA, Devon County Council, Guiness Northern Counties, United Utilities, OSCE Secretariat - Austria, University of Ulster,