Start Where They Are

Start where they are, not where you are. We are exploring another key component of Energize Others, the competency that is about mobilizing others to do the adaptive work that is needed to help move forward an adaptive challenge.

All too often we want to start where we are rather than where someone else might be. This competency is illustrated by the Kansas Leadership Center in this way. Imagine two plateaus on either side of a great chasm, on one side of the chasm, standing on the plateau is a group of three people. Opposite of them on the other side is another person waving for them to come on over. Yet there is no bridge to mind that gap. This illustrates the gap that might be between the people who are engaging the adaptive challenge at hand. The starting place of the people engaging in this challenge, may not even be near to others.

This idea may run contrary to our instincts, but most times it is the exact place that we need start. Not where we are, but the place where others are is usually a good place to start. In that space we can begin to ask some questions that may bring clarity to the adaptive challenge that is in front of us.

These are some of the questions to ask of others: What do you care about? What is your perspective? What is your history with this idea? Notice these are questions that illicit a response from another person that let us know where they are. If we are willing to start where others are, we can learn a lot about another person and their perspective. If we are starting from a common place, we are more likely to get to a common outcome.

--Amy Nissley Stauffer