On qualities and challenges: the core quadrant

What are your strengths and what your weaknesses? Are they really weaknesses or maybe pitfalls of your strengths? Too much of the good thing.. is not a good thing. And then, how might some of your frustrations be linked to your strengths, and other people's competencies..

I like to share a powerful tool to gain insight into one's core qualities, pitfalls, allergies and challenges and how they interact: the core quadrant, developed by Daniel Ofman. 

Image credits: http://patrickschriel.com/ 

Here above, the core quadrant is shown, including indicators on how to fill it (too much of.. leads to). In the boxes already some examples are given. You can start filling it from any of the corners, but pitfalls are usually the easiest to start with. Note that the quadrant must be correct all way round ('too much of', 'opposite of'). 

Now, occasionally might feel a strong allergy with a specific person in a specific situation. The key question then is: which core qualities do their have which sometimes becomes their pitfall (e.g. in stressful situations) and your allergy, or rather: irritation. But most importantly; what can it teach you about your personal challenge as a tool to neutralize the allergy. See the diagram below. Good luck!

More information: 

• Detailed description on how to use the core quadrant
• Kwadrant van Ofman on wikipedia (in Dutch)

Mindmapping problem/solution trees

Often fairly simple problem statements are used in planning and project documents. The truth is in most cases complex - multiple individuals, groups and organisations are involved and have their own interests. Then there are historical aspects and traditions, external factors, and so on. It might be helpful to break-down, and thereby detail, the elements relating to a core problem and its effects and convert these into solutions. Having this overview helps to get insight into the complexity and take informed decisions on where to take action. It also helps to check and monitor if enough causes  are tackled to result in successful, lasting solutions. Another advantage is that it can help to create the project approach and planning, especially project objectives.

Steps

1. Identify the core problem, this may require some discussion
2. Think of existing issues (causes) contributing to this core problem and their underlying causes. Write them down in negative form e.g. lack of ...
3. Detail the effects of these problems. Check every problem on the sheet and add missing effects (ask the question: so what?)
4. Check if the overview (see below) makes sense; are the cause-effect relationships logical and complete?

5. Rephrase the causes, core problem and effects into solutions (convert negative into positively stated form)
6. Check again: does the the new 'means-ends' relationships make sense? Change or add elements (even causes and effects) where needed
7. Decide where to take action to have the best chance to solve the core problem.
8. The solutions can be rephrased into project objectives and help to determine indicators i.e. to measure impact and proof of a successful approach.

Mindmap templates

What I particularly like about this approach is it's logical flow in a mindmapping fashion. Both images are available as templates in MindJet Mindmanager format: problem tree and solution tree.

Infographic: Dietary supplements

Which supplements really do something and which don't? This infographic by David McCandless can be found on the blog 'Information is Beautiful'. It's a very smart visualisation giving immediate insight in a complex subject. Click here to see the full infographic.

Words and Pictures

I compiled a 1-copy book with quotes and images (photo's I took). I printed it for my birthday ;-). The book is available on a Picasa Webalbum, note that some quotes are in Dutch, sorry..