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
Art of Hosting A way of harnessing the collective wisdom and selforganizing capacity of groups.
The Art of Hosting is an approach to leadership that scales up from the personal to the systemic using personal practice, dialogue, facilitation and the cocreation of innovation to address complex challenges. Different methods and techniques are framed under this umbrella that understands that the way of hosting is an invitation that makes a meaningful difference in the way that people and groups interact. Practitioners report improved decision making, capacity building and ability to … 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
Dragon Dreaming A living systems approach to building successful organisations and projects based upon three principles of personal growth, community building and service to the Earth
Dragon Dreaming is an inspiring, encouraging and meaningful opensource method for assisting individuals and groups who seek to make their dreams come true. It offers simple and playful holistic tools for visionary initiation processes, planning, implementation, evaluation and celebration. Through different theories, tools, tips and techniques it supports the improvement of the effectiveness in the everyday work and life. Dragon Dreaming, first developed by John Croft and Vivienne … Read more
People and Permaculture To facilitate change and turn our ideas into reality.
It can be used for a wide variety of designs, from our own personal health to our family life, from community groups to schools, from healthcare systems to international development projects. The web has 12 anchor points, each focusing on a different are to build up a detailed, holistic picture of where we want to go and how we are going to get there. References: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability; David Holmgren; Permanent Publications, 2002 People & Permaculture; Looby … Read more
The Work that Reconnects A map for personal empowerment and transformation
Drawing from deep ecology, systems theory and spiritual traditions, the Work That Reconnects (WTR) builds motivation, creativity, courage and solidarity for the transition to a sustainable human culture. First emerging in 1978, this pioneering, opensource body of work has its roots in the teachings and experiential methods of Joanna Macy. The methods are widely used in environmental and civil rights campaigns, classrooms, faith communities and grassroots organisations. The activist’s … Read more
Theory U How to lead and cocreate from the emerging yet unknown future
Successful leadership depends on the quality of attention and intention that the leader brings to any situation. The nature of the inner place in leaders is something of a mystery to us. At its core, leadership is about shaping and shifting how individuals and groups attend to and subsequently respond to a situation. Learning to recognize the habits of attention in a business culture requires, among other things, a particular kind of listening. Theory U, initiated by Otto Scharmer, speaks … Read more
Oasis Game The Oasis Game is a tool that promotes civil mobilization for community transformation.
It is a methodology designed by Elos Institute in Brazil in 2003 and invites communities from all over the world to design and cooperatively build ambitious projects according to the needs of residents – such as a public square, a park or a day care center. It is a game played from 6 to 10 days and it entails 7 principles and stages expressed in the image. The belief is that a community can work together in a cooperative, imaginative and rapid way to build, in two days, a modern oasis: a … Read more
Meaningful Conversations Creating meaningful relationships of mutual support
A meaningful conversation is called by approaches like the Art of Hosting and Oasis Game to the possibility to active listening to what really matters to everyone that is involved in the conversation. How to do that? There are some questions linked to the appreciative gaze (Elos Philosophy) that support us to do it: a. connect with a personal moment that is very relevant to you b. what made that moment possible? c. Imagine the dream that you have for the world that is connected to that … Read more
