Tool 2: Use the Choice Map as a Guide
Purpose: To provide a visual summary and guide for noticing one’s Learner/Judger mindset as well as the questions, and the future, that each of these might lead to.
Discussion: You can think of the Choice Map as a mindfulness tool. Throughout Ben’s story, the Choice Map helps him to become aware of the kinds of questions he’s asking—Learner or Judger—and to consider how he might change his questions for the best results. Here are four ways to work with the Choice Map.
Practice 1: Imagine that you are the figure standing at the crossroads on the left side of the Choice Map. Some thought, feeling, or circumstance has just occurred. It might be related to any area of your life, either professional or personal. Experiment by taking each path separately—that is, by asking yourself either Judger or Learner questions about this situation and carefully considering the results each might produce. If you land in Judger, consider what Switching question might allow you to step onto the Switching Lane and return to Learner territory. Looking at the Choice Map, you can simply ask: Where am I right now? Am I in Judger? Where do I want to be? What is my ultimate goal in this situation? Which path will take me where I want to go?
Practice 2: You can use the Choice Map to learn from a past situation that didn’t work out the way you would have liked. The Choice Map can help you to discover if a Judger hijack might have blocked your success. If so, what lessons can you learn from this? Knowing what you know, how would you handle that same situation?
Practice 3: You can also use the Choice Map to learn from a situation that did work. What Learner questions made the difference? How did those questions help you to avoid the Judger Pit? If any Judger was present, what Switching questions might you have used to move onto the Learner path? What lessons can you draw from these observations that benefit you?
Practice 4: Share the Choice Map with others, at work and at home, and you’ll gain at least as much as you give. There’s a medical school saying: “See one, do one, teach one, and it’s yours!” You could, for example, share the Choice Map with a coachee, a team member, or a project group. Many readers also share the Choice Map with family members and friends. This is an ideal way to reinforce Learner relationships and results with people anywhere in your life. Caution: Make sure you’re in Learner mindset when you share the Choice Map with others! (Note: Full color downloads of the Choice Map are available for readers at my website: www. InquiryInstitute.com. Use this code for a free download: CYQ3. )