"...the politics accompanying hierarchies hampers the free exchange of knowledge. People are much more open with their peers. They are much more willing to share and to listen.”

Lord Browne, BP

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What you know in your context

What I know in my context

"...the politics accompanying hierarchies hampers the free exchange of knowledge. People are much more open with their peers. They are much more willing to share and to listen.” Lord John Browne, BP

Peer Assists – Sharing what we know

Action

What weboth know

What’spossible?

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A peer assist is a meeting or workshop where people are invited from other teams to share their experience, insights and knowledge with a team that has requested some help.

Peer Assists – Learning before doing

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River Diagram

A Peer Assist:- Targets a specific challenge Gains assistance and insight from

people outside of the team Identifies possible approaches

and new lines of inquiry Promotes sharing of learning

with each other; and Develops strong networks among

people 4

Peer Assist

Achieve more with less people Share knowledge, insights and experience -

knowledge is not evenly shared Shared learning applied to different context.

Peer Assists – 12 steps

1. Communicate the purpose.

2. Peer assists work well when the purpose is clear and you communicate that purpose to participants.

3. Share your peer assist plans with others. Consider whether someone else has already solved the challenge or if others have similar needs.

4. Identify a facilitator for the meeting. Their role is to ensure that by managing the process the meeting participants reach the desired outcome.

5. Schedule a date that is early enough to do something different with what you learn.

6. Invite more than the usual suspects who have a diversity of skills and experience. 6 – 8 is ideal.

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Peer Assists – 12 steps cont’d

6. Get clear on the deliverables (usually options and insights).

7. Allow time to socialise – people share best when they know one another.

8. Allow 1 to 2 days for the peer assist. Schedule time to Tell, Ask, Analyse and Feedback.

9. Create an environment for sharing. Balance the time between telling and listening.

10. Listen to understand the other person then think how you might improve your own activity. At a peer assist everyone learns.

11. Consider who else might benefit from what you have learned and plan to share it with them.

12. Commit to actions and keep the peer assist team updated.

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