Our Workshop's Foundation
The Overall Positive Outcome
By the end of our workshop, the Croquet Association of Queensland's decision-making will be aligned. This means having defined Aims, agreed Ideals, respect for autonomy, and the collective confidence to achieve great positive outcomes together.
This alignment isn't about total agreement on every detail, but ensuring we're all moving in generally the same direction, equipped with a shared framework.
Key Pillars of Workshop Success
🌟Guiding Principle: Positive Doing
Inspired by Dr. Phil Jauncey, we embrace "Positive Doing." While we acknowledge challenges and frustrations, we consciously choose to act and contribute positively.
Our focus is on constructive paths forward and identifying positive outcomes. If negativity arises, we'll gently guide discussions back to productive, positive outcome-oriented thinking.
Building Our Framework: Aims & Ideals
🎯Our Aims: The "WHAT"
Aims define what CAQ wants to achieve – our overarching objectives for positive impact. They answer the question: "What should CAQ be doing for croquet?"
- Reducing volunteer burden
- Increasing volunteer numbers
- Improving playing standards
- Increasing coach numbers
- Making administration easier
- Enhancing marketing (internal & external)
- Establishing a State Croquet Centre
These are initial examples. The workshop will define CAQ's specific Aims based on broader input.
💖Our Ideals: The "HOW"
If Aims are the "what," Ideals are the "how" – the guiding principles and values for all our actions. How do we want to operate to achieve positive results?
Consider:
- 🤝 What makes a good doubles partner?
- 🏢 What qualities make a good work colleague?
- 🏆 What defines a good sportsperson?
Example Ideals:
🔗The Power of Combination
By combining our defined Aims (the WHAT) with our agreed Ideals (the HOW), we create a powerful, shared structure for thinking and achieving positive outcomes.
The Path to Aligned Decisions: Our Process
CRITICAL FOCUS: We concentrate on POSITIVE OUTCOMES, NOT specific plans at the initial stages.
1. Current Situation
Clearly identify the facts of the opportunity or problem.
2. Desired Positive Outcome
Guided by our Aims & Ideals, what positive outcome do we want?
(This is NOT the plan yet!)
3. Formulate a Plan
Delegate to experts to create a plan to achieve the Desired Positive Outcome, keeping Aims & Ideals in mind.
4. Review & Approve Plan
Management Committee assesses: Aligns with Aims? Upholds Ideals? Feasible (resources, confidence for positive outcome)?
5. Execute with Autonomy & Oversight
Grant autonomy for execution. MC provides oversight, not micromanagement, ensuring progress towards the positive outcome.
🧼Autonomy: The Dishwasher Analogy
Imagine agreeing dishes need doing (Desired Positive Outcome). Someone volunteers (Takes responsibility for the Plan).
Telling them *how* to pack the dishwasher likely won't go well. We all have varied experiences.
We need to trust our volunteers to do positive things for croquet, giving them space to use their skills and our Ideals.
🛠️Dealing with Mistakes
If things go wrong despite best efforts aligned with Aims & Ideals (effort, honesty towards a positive outcome), it's a mistake.
This is where Ideals like Forgiveness, Transparency, and Understanding come in. We learn and move forward together.
Throughout this process, maintain high-level thinking when defining positive outcomes to keep discussions agreeable and focused.
Applying this Framework to a Problem
Now, consider a real, current decision or challenge facing CAQ. This is your opportunity to put this framework into practice.
Steps to Finding a Clear and Aligned Positive Outcome
1.Define the Current Situation
Based on your chosen quandary, what are the objective facts? What is the clear, unbiased reality of the situation as it stands now?
2.Identify Relevant Aims
Which of CAQ's defined Aims does this quandary touch upon? Which Aims should guide your desired positive outcome?
3.Consider Your Ideals
How should CAQ's Ideals (e.g., transparency, cooperation, responsibility) shape your approach and the way you work through this decision to ensure actions are principled?
4.Determine the Desired Positive Outcome
With your Aims and Ideals in mind, what is the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART, if applicable) positive outcome you want to achieve for this quandary?
5.Outline Next Steps (Plan, Approve, Execute)
Once a clear positive outcome is defined, how would you proceed? Who needs to be involved in planning? How will the plan be approved? Who will execute it with autonomy, and how will oversight be managed?
This structured thinking, guided by your agreed Aims and Ideals, will help ensure your decisions are aligned and purposeful, leading to positive outcomes.
Key Takeaways: The Four Essentials for Success
Know WHAT to Do
This is our Desired Positive Outcome, derived from our agreed Aims.
Know HOW to Do It
This is the Plan, formulated by an assignee to achieve agreed positive outcomes.
CAN We Do It?
Assess Resources (time, money, volunteers) & Confidence in the Plan for a positive outcome.
Make the CHOICE & Oversee
Decide, assign with Autonomy. Committee provides Oversight for positive execution.