Scribing

I first discovered scribing at Camp Improv--an event put on by Leadership Network. There was a man (whom I later learned was Michael Lagocki) standing at the back of the crowd with a handful of markers capturing all of the ideas that were being presented from the stage. Not notes exactly. Not a drawing or a painting. Speakers like Ron Heifitz and Jim Collins were presenting their ideas in a flow of words and stories, and the Mike was capturing them in a way that gave them form and made them stand still. And, because the thoughts were caught, they could be studied and reexamined simply by walking past the boards he had created.

Not too long after this, Mike was part of an experiment at Crosspointe church using scribing during worship. I was sent to cover the event in an article for Church Production Magazine. Again, there was something powerful about this visual element that added to the experience.

I became so fascinated with the process that I began practicing on my own....taking crayons to meetings and later working from my tablet PC. Eventually it took on a life of its own and I frequently use scribing during client work sessions and other meetings to both facilitate and capture content visually.

In fact, it has become so much a part of my life, that I frequently hear: "Oh. You're the one with the crayons."

As far as titles go. That's a great one.