Moments of Impact

About the Author

Chris Ertel is a Ph.D.-trained social scientist with 17 years of experience designing strategic conversations for senior executives of Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and large nonprofits. His expertise lies in creating collaborative problem-solving sessions that drive strategic insights and foster change. Lisa Kay Solomon teaches innovation at the MBA in Design Strategy program at San Francisco's California College of the Arts. She has dedicated her career to helping executive teams develop the vision, tools, and skills needed to design better futures.

Main Idea

In "Moments of Impact: How to Design Strategic Conversations That Accelerate Change," Chris Ertel and Lisa Kay Solomon explore the art of strategic conversations. These are distinct from regular meetings or brainstorming sessions, aiming to address complex, adaptive challenges through creative, collaborative problem-solving. The book presents a simple yet powerful process for designing these conversations, emphasizing the importance of bringing diverse perspectives together, framing issues effectively, and creating memorable, impactful experiences.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Designing a Strategic Conversation
• Core Principles of a Well-Designed Strategic Conversation
• Define Your Purpose
• Engage Multiple Perspectives
• Frame the Issues
• Set the Scene
• Make It an Experience
• Confronting the 'Yabbuts'
• Make Your Moment

Introduction

In today's fast-paced world, leaders often face complex, multifaceted challenges that require collaboration to resolve. Traditional methods like data-heavy meetings or aimless brainstorming sessions fall short in these situations. Ertel and Solomon argue for the necessity of strategic conversations—interactive sessions that engage participants both analytically and creatively to generate breakthrough insights. These conversations differ significantly from regular meetings; they are high-stakes, involve unclear answers, and require participants to collaborate across organizational boundaries.

Designing a Strategic Conversation

The book outlines a process for designing effective strategic conversations. It begins with recognizing adaptive challenges, which are messy and open-ended, unlike technical challenges that can be solved with well-honed skills. The authors stress the need for adaptive leadership, which involves asking penetrating questions, engaging colleagues fully, and connecting insights from various sources in real-time. This approach helps organizations navigate uncertain terrains and make strategic choices collaboratively.

Core Principles of a Well-Designed Strategic Conversation

Ertel and Solomon identify five core principles essential for designing strategic conversations:

1. Declare the Objectives: Clearly define the purpose and desired outcomes of the conversation.
2. Identify Participants: Engage a diverse group with varying perspectives to enrich the discussion.
3. Assemble Content: Frame the issues in a way that illuminates different aspects of the challenge.
4. Find a Venue: Choose a setting that supports the intended interaction and experience.
5. Set the Agenda: Create an agenda that focuses on the emotional and psychological engagement of participants.

These principles ensure that the conversation is not only well-organized but also dynamic and impactful.

Define Your Purpose

Defining a clear purpose is the first step in designing a strategic conversation. The authors emphasize that these conversations are pivotal moments within a larger process of exploration, discussion, and action. They help a group achieve new levels of clarity and coherence about their adaptive challenge. Strategic conversations serve three overarching purposes: Building Understanding, Shaping Choices, or Making Decisions. Identifying which of these purposes applies is crucial for the conversation's success.