This is where I geek out.
I love to immerse myself in methodologies and tools that make for really, really good meetings and profound organizational change.
As I’ve taken courses, read books, watched lectures, and attended conferences (four things I will never stop doing, by the way), my own preferences have bubbled to the surface.
I’ve gathered the most resonant ideas, the most useful skills, and the most compelling information to create a framework that forms the basis of my work.
Instead of a set curriculum or course, I design a program for each client, based on their needs and organizational culture.
THE THEORIES
Theory U
Otto Scharmer articulates an in-depth approach that meets “at the intersection of science, consciousness, and profound social and organizational change.”
I view Theory U as a way to design thoughtful and highly relevant responses to complex challenges. I find it helpful because it asks participants to take into account the context in which they’re working. And it taps into the deep sense of knowing that organizational leaders and participants have, trusting that “individuals, teams, organizations, and large systems can build the essential leadership capacities needed to address the root causes of today’s social, environmental, and spiritual challenges.”
Emergent Strategy
The change theory of author and pleasure activist adrienne maree brown focuses on looking for opportunities to collaborate so we can be in right relationship with each other and the planet.
She searches for inspiration in a surprising combination of fields that includes somatics, science fiction, facilitation skills, biomimicry (lessons from the natural world), and social justice in order to help ourselves organize and heal. She stresses adaptability, intention, resilience, and a decentralized approach to change.
I picked up Emergent Strategies when I first became aware that my influences were all white and almost all men. To start to decolonize my work, I sought out change theory and organizational tools developed by women of color. A self-professed “black, queer, fat feminist,” brown shakes up my thinking and has risen to be one of my personal heroes and top influences.
Somatics
Somatics explores how the brain and body are connected. I work with Karen Kirsh, a colleague and teacher, to help me understand how somatics can be integrated into the work we do as groups to achieve more and impact that world.
In all the work I do, I guide groups to work on tuning into their bodies to inform their work.
THE TOOLS
Facilitation
Liberating Structures
These tools are “designed to include everyone in shaping next steps.” They’re simple, invaluable ways to engage an entire system in decision making and strategy development. When we need to make sure all the voices are in the room and participating, these skills are a great way to invite people in and give them concrete ways to chime in.
Art of Hosting
This intentional, deeply considered structure explores community dynamics and how we, as people, work best together. Rather than “hero-based leadership,” it focuses on four simple concepts to be practiced by every member of a group: personal presence, practicing conversations, hosting conversations, and co-creating.
The Circle Way
I like that this method, “a structure for deep conversation and wise outcomes,” looks at the cross-cultural practice of meeting in a circle t engage with each other and work together. The circle is a way to be in deep relationship and engage with our work in the world.
Appreciative Inquiry
Using these tools, participants start from their strengths and past successes and bring those positive experiences and learnings to the current project or challenge.
Leadership
Adaptive Leadership
These tools are focused on participants understanding their role in the system and allows them to develop leadership skills that take the long view. What kind of leadership does your team need to successfully address the work you need to do?
Mindfulness and Reflection
These are foundational practices that help leaders better understand themselves and use themselves to achieve change within a system.
Business Support
Business Model You
As a certified practitioner of Business Model You, I provide career support by helping individual employees come up with strong personal business models and professional identities. I also assist teams by helping them articulate their own business model and identify gaps in their current practices.