Green Eggs and the Boomerang

boo·mer·ang (boo-muh-rang)

noun: strategy used by skilled training professionals to throw the audience’s question back to the group without the presenter first providing an expert opinion or answer

That Flip Chart Gang

I do not like that Flip Chart Gang

Would you like to boomerang?

I do not like that Flip Chart Gang,

I do not like to boomerang.

Even when someone asks?

They may have a task.

They may even ask.

But I will not do it Flip Chart Gang,

I will not throw back the question like a boomerang.

Would you, could you, in a small group?

I would not, could not in a small group.

I would not, could not with a large troupe.

Even if they have a task.

Even if they are brave enough to ask.

I will not do it Flip Chart Gang.

I will not throw the question back like a boomerang.

Would you try it once or twice?

I would not boomerang once,

I would not boomerang twice.

I’m the expert and giving up control is too high of a price.

Whether it’s in a large troupe,

Or if it’s in a small group,

Even if they have a task,

Even if they are brave enough to ask.

I will not do it Flip Chart Gang.

I will not throw the question back like a boomerang.

Give it a whirl, and you will see,

Let them answer just once and I’ll let you be.

I shall give it a whirl and honor your plea,

Just this once, if you let me be.

A question has been posed, what do you all think?

Hey! The audience’s answer doesn’t stink!

Maybe I am not the only one who is wise.

Maybe answers can come from any of these gals and guys.

Maybe I will boomerang more than once or twice.

Maybe giving up some control really isn’t that high of a price.

And it can happen in small groups!

And it can happen in large troupes!

The next time they have a task,

I will hold my answer when they ask.

Instead I will use the boomerang.

Thank you, thank you Flip Chart Gang!

Want to know more about empowering learners with the “Boomerang Technique”? Check out these related blog posts:

Brian Washburn

Brian is an author, a sought-after speaker, and an experienced instructional designer who has been a passionate member of the learning and development field for more than two decades. His work has been published in TD magazine, and he was named a Top Young Trainer by Training Magazine in 2011. Brian is the author of two books: What’s Your Formula? Combine Learning Elements for Impactful Training and Instructional Design on a Shoestring.
He is the visionary behind Soapbox, our automated instructional design tool that creates instructor-led training programs in under 10 minutes.
Over his career, Brian has designed and facilitated numerous training programs for a wide range of organizations, including a global training program for a Fortune 500 company and a global train-the-trainer program for Management Sciences for Health.
Brian holds an MA in Organizational Development from Antioch University.
Brian is always available to chat about learning & development and to talk about whether Endurance Learning can be your training team’s “extra set of hands”.

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