the Appreciative Inquiry process involves people telling stories about positive experiences they have had at work or in groups and distilling the common values and processes that underpin these (Discover); daring to be bold and developing a ‘Provocative Proposition’ that embodies the highest potential of the group (Dream); then designing pathways towards its achievement (Design) and, finally, ... doing it (Deliver)! It is a high energy, generative process that builds on positive prior … Read more
Transforming Enemy Images Taking back ones own projections
There may be a good reason why people have built up their enemy pictures. Honoring these reasons while also investigating this enemy image helps to open oneself to interaction and also to integrate and investigate the positive qualities that hide behind the initial appearance and behaviour of people. references: Mindell, Arnold (1997): Sitting in the Fire: Large Group Transformation Using Conflict and Diversity; Lao Tse Press, Portland Submitted by Pioneers of Change … Read more
Systemic Constellation Work An approach to revealing and unravelling hidden and unexpected dynamics operating within systems aiming to find a healthy and respectful place for all members of the system in question.
Systemic constellations create a living dynamic map of an issue within a certain system and are a practical, respectful and often profound way of illuminating the dynamics in coaching, organisational and other relational systems. The map (made up of ‘representatives’ – people in workshops, or objects in onetoone coaching) which a constellation creates, allows coach and client to access the wider system, see the hidden forces at play and identify new paths to lasting resolution. The … Read more
Inner Team Aligning the voices inside yourself
In order to grow authentically and spiritually especially if you uncover uncomfortable truths about yourself it is essential to discern the different voices within yourself, to understand their nature and their deeper message. Then we can begin to learn about how to let them work as a team and integrate them into our personality and viewpoints. And if we learn how to integrate conflicting voices inside ourselves then our ability to do this in outer relationships and situations is likely … Read more
Support groups Women’s and Men’s Circles The role of support groups, in particular women’s and men’s circles
Finding a support group that meets regularly or can be activated when you need it, can make all the difference. Women’s circles Women generally meet to share about their lives, support one another, perform rituals and celebrate. Men’s circles According to the Mankind Project, this is a place to learn and practice conflict resolution, communication skills, relationship development skills, how to make and meet big goals. Other examples of support groups or networks: Gay, Lesbian, … Read more
Empathy The ability to really understand others
To step out of the assumption that mankind is “evil” and that people have bad intentions helps to really understand people’s motivation and intention. This means understanding on a rational but also on a heart level. If you reach a level of connection where your heart begins to warm to them that’s what it is. It is like putting yourself into the shoes of another person, role or societal group and not only knowingthis role or acting like this role but really to feelit. Understanding … Read more
Community Building A process to develop authentic communication in community
Scott Peck has identified 4 phases of group development and created guidelines for skillfully navigating these that culminate in an experience of a mature, authentic community. Once we know that going through, for example, phases of pseudocommunity, chaos and conflict, vulnerability and letting go of expectations, are necessary steps in the evolution of a group, we will be more willing to embrace them. The conscious practice of authenticity counters any tendency we might have to hide … Read more
Personal Resilience Maintaining and Developing Personal Vitality and Wellbeing
It can help to see ourselves as composed of four different elements: earth, air, fire, water. These can be taken to correspond to different aspects of ourselves: Earth: The Physical Self – voice, position, tone, fitness Air: The Mental Self – mind, thinking, logic, strategy Water: The Emotional Self – feelings, rapport, empathy Fire: The Spiritual Self – vision, purpose, inspiration Building a daily or weekly practice that activates and exercises each of these four elements will go a … Read more
Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development A 5 Level Model for Planning in Complex Systems.
This five level model helps us to plan for success. By understanding the system within which we are working we can more clearly define what success looks like within that system. This allows us to be strategic, to develop tactics, tools and metrics. To rephrase: it allows us to understand the tools and metrics we need to carry out the actions required to be strategic, to achieve success within the system. References: The Natural Step, Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development, … Read more
Feminist Economics & Economy of Care Putting care in the center of economy
A different way to look at the economy, in which the sustainability of life is at the center, and we think what jobs are necessary for lives of both people and other living things. An economy in which other welfare indicators exists that allows to decouple these from economic growth, and considers necessary a social transformation in which there is a redistribution of care tasks among all people and a consideration of the biophysical limits of the … Read more
