The Metaplan Approach

 

We lead discourses in order to overcome barriers to thought and reach new insights

By leading discourses, we clarify the factors that can be a hindrance as well as those which can bring forward and broaden things. In doing so, we help discover and shape room to act which hasn't been perceived before, thus clearing the floor for new action.

• We translate between the established modes of thought of different groups and individuals. In this way, participants’ points of view can be understood and suggestions can be taken.
• We question the thought patterns of the group participants. In doing this, we build bridges of understanding between the actors.
• We make connections transparent which cannot be explained from only one point of view.
• We address the unwritten rules freely, without leading to injury or blockade, even if they are taboo.
• We bring unclear and unpleasant questions into the discussion in a way in which none of the actors lose face.
• We lead the discussion to ‘blind spots’ which no one thought about in the past. In this way, we broaden the participants’ perspectives.
• We show every participant the perspectives that are related to new concepts; we also show what can happen if nothing is changed.

We make inquiries in order to make distinctions between:

• a statement's factual core,
• the intention behind a statement,
• and how statements are interpreted and perceived by the participants.

In this way, we are able to clarify the content of the situation while keeping it separate from reflection about the participant's intentions. This leads to new ways of understanding.

Thought often occurs pragmatically on a level where problems cannot be solved:

One is either too general or too bogged down in details, and often both at once. We lead discourses to a level where problems can be solved.
On the one hand, we pay attention to the details that lie close to the problem. On the other hand, we raise the levels in order to reach an overview.