On the week of 16th May I (Ben) was involved in Job Relations training.
I found myself (several times), during conversations both inside and outside of the sessions, highlighting the fact that although Job Relations is taught and introduced in a linear pattern i.e., practised via Step 1, 2, 3 then 4, it is in fact applied cyclically. The proof can be seen on the very bottom of the card with the final question DID YOU ACCOMPLISH YOUR OBJECTIVE? If the answer is no, then go around again, GET THE FACTS and so on. Most of the time (in my experience) when we get to the bottom of the card the answer to the question ‘DID YOU ACCOMPLISH YOUR OBJECTIVE?’ is NO … and that is OK.
In my experience the thought of ‘going around’ more than once is sometimes the reason why ‘following’ the 4 step method stalls, as people feel they won’t meet their objective the first time … and they want to! The thought of small steps (actions) often, moving closer to the objective is overlooked. People will instead look for a/the silver bullet, the one action that will meet the objective in one go. As we know with silver bullets, everyone is still looking for one!
Job Relations, specifically the 4 steps to handle a problem, is introduced in linear form to assist ‘learning’, then, when learned, the cyclical nature can then be noted and applied. For those of you who have been introduced to Job Relations, and specifically the 4 Steps to handle a problem, I’m interested in your thoughts. Tell us please if your progression toward your objective stalled after your ‘silver bullet action’. Please tell us your thoughts on my comment that the ‘4 step method’ is introduced as linearly but actually applied cyclically. Please let me know. (ben@vwaust.com)