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CE Forum
What Action Shoes do You Wear?

Eduard DeBono is one of my favourite authors. He really makes me think about how I work. One of his more recent books is entitled Six Action Shoes. It groups actions into six categories symbolized by certain kinds of shoes. The shoes are just mnemonic devices. When you examine what kind of actions you’re doing, you are more likely to become more purposeful.

I’ll summarize each action concept and try to apply it to a CE situation.

Navy Formal Shoes

The military is good at formalizing routine behaviour, symbolized by this shoe. Routines help us do repeated tasks efficiently. For curriculum you have a “standing order” with a publisher or the local supplier. You formalize a new program by writing a staff manual or organization flow.

Grey Sneakers

This shoe is quiet and doesn’t attract attention. It represents actions you take to collect information and think about it. Sometimes you want to change a ministry. You need to take time to evaluate, listen to people, find out needs and perceptions. People may pressure you to “act” (jump on their bandwagon), but you are acting: you’re investigating.

Brown Brogues

This classic, practical shoe symbolizes pragmatic action, practicality, doing what can be done. You wish you had a better teacher for that adult class, but you don’t. So you do what can be done: use a video series, or corral the pastor. Or you run out of space so you have classes in the hall or under the stairs. It’s not in the long range plan, and will change but you do what you have to. Recognize it’s only temporary; don’t let it become permanent.

Orange Gumboots

Like the firemen who wear these, sometimes you have to “fight fires.” Emergency situations demand urgent action. A teacher calls in sick on Sunday morning. There’s an abuse incident in the children’s program. Recognize emergency action and plan to follow up on people coerced into service.

Pink Slippers

Soft and cosy, they symbolize compassionate, caring, people oriented acts. There are a lot of tasks to be done in CE, but don’t forget your people! They need encouragement. Have ways to say thank you to your workers at least once a year. Regularly take time to check up with each other – how’s your group? How are things going? Take time in committee meetings to pray for each other.

Purple Riding Boots

Like the general on a horse who leads his army, “take charge” actions are occasionally called for. Take authority. Show leadership. Sometimes it takes a bit of nerve, but people need and want leadership! Teacher, lead your class. Be prepared. Know what you want to do together. Program coordinator, lead your team. Know the plan. Help them set goals. Nurture their skills. Encourage them.

There they are. Learn the six types of action and remember them as you do ministry. They give you perspective and help you assess what the next move should be.

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Last modified October 31, 2000.

Ideabank is a quarterly newsletter published by the Board of Christian Education Ministries, a board of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.

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