Making sense and meaning

There is sensemaking and there is meaning making. 

When things happen we have the opportunity to look at them, talk about them and make sense of them. 

As we do that, we thread our own meaning into those events. Our own lens or perspective. 

Through sensemaking we may well understand what’s going on. But it’s not until we make meaning of it that it really ... you know ... means something to us. 

It’s possibly why businesses the world over may struggle with change. Some things just don’t make any sense ... so what could that possibly mean? 

> Sensemaking is great for insight, strategy and decision making. 
> Meaning making is wonderful for connection, engagement and trust. 

Film makers and story tellers do both so well, building up complex layers of sense and meaning, building tension and intrigue, teasing the mind and then ... touching the heart. 

It makes sense AND it means something. 

Help people make sense, sure. 

Then leave it with them to settle or ‘marinate’ allowing them time to make meaning. 

And then ... listen to their meaning.