(22) What I learned about triangles

This one will be familiar to those that know me.

I noticed this some years back. Everything is a triangle, every project, relationship, team  etc has three parts to it: Concept, System, Energy. It crops up time and time again.

For the second simplest diagram ever click on this link: TriangleTheory

Imagine how cars are powered. They need an engine (system), fuel (energy) and the idea of the engine itself (concept). In successful teams there should always be people that think of what to do (concept), people that inspire and lead others (energy) and people that organise how it is to be done (system). I have seen it on TV shows (X Factor anyone?), business models, training courses, personal relationships. I’ve even applied it to the Christian Trinity (try it!). It is in everything.

This concept has been especially useful to bear in mind when looking for a third person in a team or when assessing what is going wrong with projects when they are off track. It has caused me so many ‘ah-ha’ moments when I have spotted the pattern and seen where with a slight addition of energy, or whatever, can turn a project around.

I also apply it to people. Some people love concepts and the deep thinking needed to come up with new ideas. Some people like systems and planning so that they can get things work out. And some people have the vision, energy and enthusiasm to give a project life or to give hope to those that are flagging. I imagine most people have an element of all three, but one position will be preferred over the others. I am definitely an energy person and gain my energy from creating energy in others.

And that has been useful to know when looking at various job / work options over the years as I can choose work that feeds rather than drains me. This also ties in very neatly with Belbin’s Work Roles Theory which I’ll write about soon.