Send in the Puppets

Send in the Puppets

My good friend, Sam Ardery, attorney and author of Positively Conflicted, is an outstanding mediator and consultant. Sam offers a unique perspective and approach to conflict management. Visit his book on Amazon or samardery.com.

Unlike Sam, I’m not a lawyer or trained mediator, so I need to be a bit more resourceful when communication fails, and tempers flare. I’m likely to use sock puppets. Neither change management books nor the latest AI have all the answers. Consultants often have to rely on their own resourcefulness to solve problems.

Sock puppets have been a part of my management toolkit for over 20 years. Puppets excel at breaking down communication barriers, finding common ground, and paving the way forward. So, I’ve assembled a diverse collection of behavioral change techniques. When traditional change methods fail, I’m known to bring out my sock puppet. Yes! Sock puppets. 

When there’s tension and communication barriers between people or groups, I sometimes reach into my pack and introduce Kevin, my sock puppet. Kevin then offers everyone a sock and asks them to take one, name it, and make it theirs — which they reluctantly do. But once those socks cover their hands, their physical expressions and demeanor change.  

Imagine for a moment a mixed group of authority figures, professionals, and leaders gathered at a table, with sock puppets speaking for them—Ukrainian and Russian diplomats. That’s a stretch; no state department has ever asked Kevin and me to help, yet.

Let’s Talk! If you’ve reached an impasse, are feeling stuck, or are intrigued by the art of Puppet Intervention Management.