This is an activity that examines emotional reaction to change, identifies the opportunities presented, and creates a constructive action plan. This can to ease resistance to a problem, which at the outset, appears to be a crisis.

Objectives

• To provide an opportunity for release and expression of emotions at a time of crisis.

• To acknowledge the positive aspects of change arising from difficult situations.

• To identify difficulties/obstacles facing the group/individual.

• To produce an action plan “in defiance of” the crisis.

Working with a group

1. Crisis definition. Define the point of resistance. This should result in an unambiguous statement written on a flipchart, or similar visual aid, which concentrates on the problem itself rather than why it has occurred.

2. Summary of feelings. Discuss their emotional response to the crisis. It is important that both negative and positive feelings are aired. Ask questions such as:

• What does this situation mean to you?

• What are the words that express your feelings?

• How do you feel at this moment?

Produce a list of key words that cover the range of emotions, displaying them on a flipchart. Allow time for discussion to explore different individual reactions.

3. Translate feelings into positive action. Typical statements could be:

• OK to have negative feelings initially.

• The crisis may present opportunities to the individual and the team.

• Focusing on the positive helps the team to move away from the crisis.

Ask participants to return to their pairs or small groups to summarize the strengths of each participant.

This stage is working toward the conclusion that: “We may feel downcast but now that we have thought about it there is much we can contribute to this crisis situation.”

4. Brainstorm the crisis. Suggest as many ideas as they can relative to the crisis, all of which are recorded without discussion. These can then be categorized into “very useful” or “potentially useful.”

5. Review of the options. Making use of the material from the brainstorming session, discuss the options open to the participants:

a. Our most favored course of action is…

b. The course of action we find acceptable is…

c. Our least favored course of action (but still just acceptable) is…

6. Agreement on course of action. Produce an action plan in the form of a statement that details

• who is to do what;

• when;

• how;

• resources required;

• who can provide support and assistance;

• means of evaluation.

7. Evaluation of crisis exercise. Evaluate reactions to the activity:

• What have we learned?

• What might we use again?

• What do we now think about a crisis?