Informational Interviews

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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 44DSAA  to record your insights.
 

Activity 2 – Potent Questions

Spend time designing 2-5 potent questions on a topic related to your informational interviews. Share your questions with 1-2 colleagues. Ask for feedback. Refine.

After you conduct your interviews, reflect on the potent questions you created.
 

Activity 3 – Conducting Informational Interviews

Conduct two informational interviews within the next 3-6 months based on the design you created.

Using the design you made during the lab, continue to make further revisions to your plan adding to your map as you proceed. Consider watching the presentation again to develop your methodology further. 

Do your research and identify who you would like to interview. Draft your outreach letter requesting an interview.

Consider your professional stature. How you prepare yourself at each step of the process will influence how people regard you.

After your first interview, write a synopsis of what went well, what fell short, and areas your design you can improve before the next interview.

Document what you learn from each interview.

Other References, Articles, and Books

• Guidestar Connecting you with the non-profit information you need.
• Share references, articles, or books in the WindTunneling Project that you think will be good supplemental content for future participants.