Arena: Applied Critical Thinking
Crafting Effective Opportunity Statements
Go Deeper
Download Chalkboard Presentation
Download Opportunity Statement Guidelines
Activity 1 – Accelerating Knowledge Sharing
Each Catalytic Thinking Lab is supported by a WindTunneling project. WindTunneling is a systemic methodology to accelerate learning and knowledge sharing. Share what you learned from the lab transparently and anonymously. Compare your thinking and respond to the ideas of others. Everyone gets to see every idea; no one knows who shared which idea.
Go to WindTunneling. Use Project Code 23 ACY to record your insights.
Activity 2 – Crafting Problem Statements
Practice writing simple problem statements. Reflect on the problems in your workplace and/or the problems confronting your organization. Spend time listing out the problems using simple sentences. Strive for clarity in your statements using the criteria as a guide.
How does the practice of listing problems in simple sentences change your understanding?
Activity 3 – Crafting Opportunity Statements Practice with a Partner
Step 1 – 10 minutes
Pick one of your purpose statements (personal, professional, community).
Write your purpose statement on a new piece of paper.
Draft an Opportunity Statement that leads to the Higher Purpose or a Problem Statement that is a barrier to the Higher Purpose. Place something on top of your statement to hide it.
Go outside and walk briskly for 2 minutes.
Do not look at what you wrote.
Write another Opportunity/Problem Statement restating the same opportunity.
Compare the two statements you wrote. How are they the same or different?
Step 2 – 15 minutes
Find a partner.
Exchange statements.
Read your partner’s purpose and two statements.
Write two questions to clarify and deepen their thinking.
Find another partner and repeat.
Step 3 – 10 minutes
Examine your two statements and four questions.
Other References, Articles, and Books
- Share references, articles, or books in the WindTunneling Project that you think will be good supplemental content for future participants.