This technique is a derivative of Action Learning but can be used with any size of audience. It is greatly enhanced by the use of skilled facilitators who are happy to deal with and transform energy as it arises in the process. It is suited to challenges requiring significant transformation and works best where those involved, including the audience, will be inspired by the transformation directly or indirectly. It can be used with an audience of people involved with the challenge and also with an audience of people from different backgrounds.
1. choose the challenge and the challenge owner
Transformation hothouse requires a volunteer who has a significant challenge and is prepared to share it. It may be helpful if they have a few simple photographic or headline slides to describe the challenge though this is not essential.
2. create a stage set
An inspiring and appropriate stage set is useful to create a suitable atmosphere of theatre and drama. I can offer further thoughts here if this is helpful.
3. invite an audience of supporters
Supporters should be people with positive intention to support the transformation. Any size of audience from six to thousands will work as long as there is positive intention and adequate facilitators on the ground to manage the process.
4. set the scene and the mood
As people are assembling for the event, set the scene and mood. I like to use powerful images on the screen and live music with a transformation theme performed by engaging artists.
5. introduce transformation
It is helpful if someone introduces the hothouse by explaining the nature of transformation and one or two compelling stories from big to small, maybe the Nelson Mandela story plus one closer to home like the story I told about Richard McCann, the son of the Yorkshire Ripper victim.
6. engage the audience
There needs to be a feeling of engagement and relevance. So when it is clear what transformation is about, ask for examples of transformation, either situations that require transformation or stories of transformation.
7. bring on the challenge
The challenge owner describes the challenge succinctly in a language that the audience understands and can relate to. It may be helpful for the facilitator to give a much shorter summary making it even clearer for the audience, asking one or two questions of the challenge owner for clarification only. One question the facilitator should ask if it hasn't been stated is any thoughts or vision the challenge holder may have regarding a powerful and successful outcome.
8. ask the powerful questions
The audience is asked by the facilitator to think of their most powerful question that might help to transform the challenge. If it is a large audience, they might be asked to rate their questions, either marks out of ten or bronze, silver, gold and platinum. The challenge holder does not respond until the six (or ten) most powerful questions from the audience have been asked. At this point they will respond with gratitude and comment. They may or may not answer the questions and they may also provide direction for the next round in terms of where the audience's attention for inspiring thoughts might be focused.
9. offer the most inspiring thoughts and undertake a third round if necessary
This round is similar to the last except the audience offers in their most inspiring thoughts after which the challenge holder may well commit to action or may ask for further questions, thoughts, comments, or advice focused on any area of uncertainty.
10. make a commitment to action
After two three or possibly four rounds the challenge holder should be ready to make a commitment in terms of the most powerful thing they need to do next.
11. take stock of the learning
This is an important and powerful step. First the audience is asked what they learned from the event. If it is a large audience, simply take a few from a show of hands. Learning can be at any level: the challenge, the process or parallel learning for their own challenges.
12. calculate the value
As part of the conclusion, the facilitator should enquire about the difference the action will make - using helpful and focused questions to drill down to a monetary or other value as appropriate to the challenge. If the challenge holder is willing, consider asking the question about what the process was worth to them and ask if they would like to make a down-payment to a charity as a way of saying thank you to the audience. If this charity is known in advance then a short clip about the charity can be shown and a cheque can be presented. This creates a nice way to begin to close the event and applause can be given to the charity and the challenge holder for their generosity.
13. follow up
As a final serious note, the challenge holder has made a commitment and commitments need follow-up so they are asked how this will happen. One possibility is that their outcomes will be published in an act of celebration. Another is to invite them back to another "Transformation Hothouse Event" to share how they got on.
14. media coverage
If you are staging a hothouse event, why not video record the show and publish it on YouTube. We can talk with you about adding it to Transformation Television if you wish.
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