I like frameworks. I think this is pretty well established at this point.
I don't know why I gravitate towards them. I have theories – the most recent of which is noting that my mother loves using acrostics in family speeches, going through each letter of the name of a person to call out attributes or anecdotes. Maybe that has left a deeper impression on me than I would have thought at first?
I'm also on a bit of a mission to get better at understanding and describing my own methods and approaches to things. Both because it makes it easier to respond when people ask me for coaching or mentoring tips, but also because I am working on my own 'consistent competence' and figuring that the more I write things down, the more likely I might be to be able to repeat my processes consistently and productively.
So, to be meta about it, I thought of a framework to summarise my approach to frameworks. I'm apparently all about a CUP of TEA.
The CUP is Collect, Upcycle and Play. The TEA is Translate, Extend and Apply. This is what I do with frameworks.
I'm always on the look-out to Collect a new framework, if I can see it being of some use and adding value. Sometimes, that use only appears in retrospect – which is why I landed on Upcycle. It's my way of thinking of dusting off an old framework that I might have learned about years ago (and maybe even discarded) and giving it new life. And I like to Play and have some fun with new concepts. If I can find a way to bring a pun or a 'dad joke' into the equation, I will, if only for my own amusement!
That's the first part, which is focused on finding good thinking from other people that I can leverage and help others use. Which leads to what I do with the frameworks I have collected, upcycled or played with. I focus on how I can Translate the concepts into the contexts in which I operate day-to-day. Then, I will often Extend the framework with some of my own concepts or additions. I find this a critical part of my own learning; it is hard for me to add something to something I don't really understand. From there, I focus on helping people Apply the framework to unlock the value that is on offer.
Simple, really, and a bit silly. But now I have an answer for the next time I get asked about my love of frameworks and how I approach using them.
Next up: I should probably move on to metaphors.