Flash/ Flash Light
ACTIVITY TYPE
- Informing
- Consulting
- Deciding together
- Supporting the action
- Supporting the action
- Involving
DESCRIPTION
In a flash light, the participants may briefly reflect their current assessment of the situation or their current mood, what moves them right now or since the last meeting, or what expectations they bring with them. Also, if a meeting “hangs” and it is unclear which way forward is appropriate at the moment, a flash light can be used to briefly assess the participants’ feelings, needs or assessments in order to make a decision. It is often used to check the mood in meetings.
The speaking time – one or two minutes – should be adjusted accordingly.
Flash light questions can be:
- How do you feel?
- What is going on inside you right now?
- What do you think about this question?
- What do you think is important now and how should we proceed?
- How did you experience our cooperation?
- How satisfied are you with the results of our work?
It is helpful to specify a simple procedure, e.g. the order of speaking is clockwise in the round. It is useful to make notes and take appropriate measures. For example, if several participants say that they are tired or unfocused, a pause – or a relaxation exercise – should be taken.
WATER/ AGRICULTURE EXAMPLE
It’s a good idea to use this method during your first work meetings. For farmers or landowners who are busy and busy with specific activities, Flash will help to put a different perspective on the problem. It gives the possibility of inclusion in the search for a solution, e.g. when reconnecting a damaged drainage network.
The Flash method can also be helpful in rebuilding relations and cooperation, e.g. with neighborhood.
HOW TO USE IT ONLINE
Use e – tools like https://www.mentimeter.com/, Jamboard, Whiteboard or similar
RESOURCES NEEDED
- Time to do: max 2 min
- Staff: one facilitator
- Equipment: posters, pens, cards
SUITABLE FOR
Up to a maximum number of 15 to 20 participants
HOW TO DO IT
- Discuss the rules.
- Only one or two questions are asked in the flashlight so that it is really a flashlight, so rather short.
- It is up to the participants whether they want to say something or how much they want to say.
- As soon as one participant has finished, the next one can start.
- It is helpful to specify a simple procedure, e.g. the order of speaking is clockwise in the round. It is useful to make notes and take appropriate measures. For example, if several participants say that they are tired or unfocused, a pause – or a relaxation exercise – should be taken.
- A flash can also be given in writing. But here too, a concrete question is important, which is noted on the sheet. Each participant answers the question with 1-3 sentences.
ADVANTAGES
- can be used spontaneously almost anywhere.
- a popular and fast method to check the mood of the meeting
CHALLENGIES
- Avoid comments or criticism when using the flash, otherwise long discussions will quickly result.