HUMAN AMPLIFIERS

The Human Amplifiers process is a way to understand individual perceptions and perspectives when exploring and engaging with uncertainty and complexity. The process uses seven questions to orient participants as they navigate uncertain and complex challenges.

The Human Amplifier concept is based on the natural human behaviour of people seeking certainty as they navigate uncertainty and complexity. The typical result of this seeking of certainty is that contracts are  created as a method of ensuring certainty of outcome and  to minimise variations in procedure.  In reality, however, the creation of contracts, both explicit and implicit, tends to have the effect of closing down possibilities and reducing potential. The Human Amplifier takes a different approach. Rather than contracting relationships and shrinking them down, the Human Amplifier is a way of expanding possibilities and amplifying potential.

The purpose of the Human Amplifier is to amplify potential by understanding identities, needs and beliefs in any situation. Although people often think that their identities, needs and beliefs are unchanging  across situations, they are heavily influenced by context, which will change from situation to situation. The Human Amplifier provides a way for people to make sense of who they are, what they are doing and why they are doing it in any situation. It also provides a way to make sense of what they need and what their purpose is in that situation and opens up to exploring their beliefs and their potential.

• • To identify self-perceptions
• • To identify individual role and responsibilities
• • To identify motivations and meaningful work
• • To understand individual needs
• • To realise individual purpose
• • To articulate individual beliefs
• • To explore potential
• • To orient perceptions and perspectives
• • To differentiate individual value and need
• • To describe individual viewpoints
• • To open up possibilities and opportunities for action
• • To move beyond preconceptions

Human Amplifier Cards and/or App and/or Post-Its Black Sharpies Quiet, preferably private space

All participants are provided with a set of Human Amplifier Cards and/or App and/or Post-Its. Depending on budget, the cards can be written on with black Sharpies. If budget is limited, the cards can simply be used as prompts and responses are written on post-its with black Sharpies.

Participants may already have a particular issue that they wish to amplify. If not, invite participants to name a challenge that they are currently navigating or ask them to to describe an uncertain situation that they are keen to clarify. Always ensure that participants choose a specific situation or challenge to set the context for the Human Amplifiers  questions.

The Human Amplifiers process is structured as seven questions, asked in sequence. For each question, ask the participants the question and invite them to write down their answers on the Human Amplifier Cards and/or App and/or Post-Its. Allow 3 to 5 minutes for answering each question. The sequence of seven questions is:

WHO ARE YOU?

Ask the participants the question ‘Who are you?’

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Ask the participants the question ‘What do you do?’

WHY DO YOU DO IT?

Ask the participants the question ‘Why do you do it?’

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

Ask the participants the question ‘What do you need?’

WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

Ask the participants the question ‘What is your purpose?’

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

Ask the participants the question ‘What do you believe?’

WHAT IS YOUR POTENTIAL?

Ask the participants the question ‘What is your potential?’

After participants have answered all seven questions, invite them to share their answers or any awarenesses that may have emerged for them. Give the participants the choice to share their answers with the group.

After participants have shared their answers to specific questions, ask the more general question of how their answers have amplified awareness of their specific challenge or particular situation.

Ensure that participants identify a specific challenge or particular situation. Participants may ask questions like ‘what do you mean “who am I?”?’ Answer by inviting them to identify who they are in that particular situation. Participants can usually answer ‘Who are you?’ and ‘What do you do?’ quite quickly. They may slow down or be challenged by ‘Why do you do it?’

When answering ‘What do you need?’, participants, particularly those who work in a technical environment, will list technical specifications or requirements. Participants may also answer with goals or objectives. Invite  participants to state what they individually need. If participants are challenged by this question, depending on the group, ask them what they desire or yearn for.

Participants who are knowledge workers or who work in an expertise rich environment they feel that they have to answer the questions immediately. Emphasise that there are no right answers and that they should take the time to be reflective and see what answers emerge for them.

At the end of the process, invite participants to share any answers that surprised them or that they felt may have been out of character for them.