November 4, 2009
Vision for Inclusive Community -- Good to see this one from Valmae Rose in Australia and her work with a national non-governmnet disability program. A group of us from the disability sector (an unusual alliance of people who are passionate about the future for people with disabilities but who don’t usually work together) got our act together and created a vision for the future using a scenario building process. You can check out the process and the scenario at www.blue-skies.info. We had a launch a few weeks later in the botanical gardens, with ministers from both federal and state govt and 350 members of the community involved. We have since engaged about 500 people in conversation and we’re planning a statewide schedule of conversations around the question of inclusive community on December 3 which is international day of people with disability.
Chaordic Drumming -- Last week I spoke with friend and colleague Sally Wolf. Sally works in restorative justice efforts in Illinois. We've had several conversations now about how to work at the scale of community. We talked about the model of the chaordic path. It is the search for the sweet spot between chaos and order. As Mitchell Waldrop speaks it in his book, Complexity, "enough form to be sustainable and enough freedom to deserve the name of life." Sally was describing drum circles she has been a part of. At first chaotic, without particular rhythm. But then they find a rhythm, even for people without particular music skills. And often, once that rhythm is found, people can't help but introduce some variation, a bit of chaos, that people then reorganize around. Looking forward to trying this one.
Pleasant Grove, Utah
November 3, 2009
As I grow older, I'm finding myself more interested in the history of places that I visit and where I live. Not so much from the academic side of things. But moreso, to understand the energy of the stories. To know what it might have been like for people living in these areas. To know more of what carries forward in an area that has often become invisible.
I currently live in Pleasant Grove, Utah. It is one of several smaller municipalities that run together in northern Utah County. Between the Wasatch mountains and Utah Lake. A more full description of Pleasant Grove is here. Here's also a bit in brief from a North Utah County Chambers of Commerce publication and perspective, highlighting points of attraction.
- incorporated in 1855, settled by Mormon pioneers
- old area of town named Little Denmark where Scandanavian descendents lived
- abundant annual strawberry crop that began celebrating Strawberry Days, the longest running celebration in the state of Utah
The Ute Indians were the first to live in this area, to the east of Utah Lake and the Jordan River. Staple food was fish, which they would dry for trading. Here's a brief overview of key points of history, cultures bumping into cultures:
- Escalante-Dominguez explorers were looking for an overland route from Santa Fe, NM to Monterey, CA when they discovered the Utes here
- Spanish claimed Utah from 1776 - 1820 but did not establish permanent settlements
- fresh-water sources in the north part of the state attracted trappers and mountain men in the beaver trade
- in March 1849 there was a dispute over missing cattle between arriving Mormon pioneers and Ute tribe. A battle occurred in which several Utes were killed. The location was called Battle Creek, and later renamed by city officials to Pleasant Grove.
A few other often noted points:
- Utah War / Establishment of Camp Floyd -- In 1858, 3,500 troops ordered by President James Buchanan to suppress a rumored rebellion. No battle was ever fought. However, the camp was established which later helped to provide protection for pioneers passing through to the west coast.
- Pony Express -- Speeded communications and delivery of mail by land. Ten days rather than eight weeks. One of 150 stops was near Lehi, about 10 miles north of Pleasant Grove.
- Transcontinental Railroad -- In 1869, Union and Central Pacific railroad companies joined to create advanced transportation. The Golden Spike featured on the Utah quarter illustrates this accomplishment. It occurred at Promontory Summit.
- Steeling Up for War -- Geneva Steel, a long time steel manufacturing facility was constructed between 1941 and 1944 with federal funds. It was intended to provide security of manufacturing to meet the needs for WWII. The plant was closed in 2001.
As I grow older, I'm finding myself more interested in the history of places that I visit and where I live. Not so much from the academic side of things. But moreso, to understand the energy of the stories. To know what it might have been like for people living in these areas. To know more of what carries forward in an area that has often become invisible.
I currently live in Pleasant Grove, Utah. It is one of several smaller municipalities that run together in northern Utah County. Between the Wasatch mountains and Utah Lake. A more full description of Pleasant Grove is here. Here's also a bit in brief from a North Utah County Chambers of Commerce publication and perspective, highlighting points of attraction.
- incorporated in 1855, settled by Mormon pioneers
- old area of town named Little Denmark where Scandanavian descendents lived
- abundant annual strawberry crop that began celebrating Strawberry Days, the longest running celebration in the state of Utah
The Ute Indians were the first to live in this area, to the east of Utah Lake and the Jordan River. Staple food was fish, which they would dry for trading. Here's a brief overview of key points of history, cultures bumping into cultures:
- Escalante-Dominguez explorers were looking for an overland route from Santa Fe, NM to Monterey, CA when they discovered the Utes here
- Spanish claimed Utah from 1776 - 1820 but did not establish permanent settlements
- fresh-water sources in the north part of the state attracted trappers and mountain men in the beaver trade
- in March 1849 there was a dispute over missing cattle between arriving Mormon pioneers and Ute tribe. A battle occurred in which several Utes were killed. The location was called Battle Creek, and later renamed by city officials to Pleasant Grove.
A few other often noted points:
- Utah War / Establishment of Camp Floyd -- In 1858, 3,500 troops ordered by President James Buchanan to suppress a rumored rebellion. No battle was ever fought. However, the camp was established which later helped to provide protection for pioneers passing through to the west coast.
- Pony Express -- Speeded communications and delivery of mail by land. Ten days rather than eight weeks. One of 150 stops was near Lehi, about 10 miles north of Pleasant Grove.
- Transcontinental Railroad -- In 1869, Union and Central Pacific railroad companies joined to create advanced transportation. The Golden Spike featured on the Utah quarter illustrates this accomplishment. It occurred at Promontory Summit.
- Steeling Up for War -- Geneva Steel, a long time steel manufacturing facility was constructed between 1941 and 1944 with federal funds. It was intended to provide security of manufacturing to meet the needs for WWII. The plant was closed in 2001.
We Had No Idea
October 28, 2009
Sitting by a fire this morning. The wind is howling. There is snow on the rooftops, crusting in the wind. Winter has arrived.
I'm reflecting on several experiences during the last weeks. On people that have been involved in work that captures their hearts. It is what is common among many of us, that undeniable spark and trembling as we move into bigger versions of ourselves.
"We had no idea" is a theme common among these experiences. It is a statement about how far-reaching, purposeful, and enlivening our work or projects have become. These stories have my attention because it is typically so much easier to look back on a successful project with only admiration. Often there is an undertone of "we couldn't do that here." Yet, common in many is this sense of just getting started and growing into the bigness. From "we had no idea" to "wow, check this out."
The Mid Ohio Foodbank is one example of this. I heard it through Matt Habash, a former political leader in Columbus. He has had some affiliation with the Foodbank for 35 years now. It has grown to become the 10th largest foodbank of 260 in the US. They redistribute excess food, now 33 million pounds of it, annually. When I was with Matt last week, the new Foodbank was opening. A Leeds certified green building with space to convene community groups in dialogue and learning. They have funding. They have support from the community. They have vision in action. The have "wow, check this out."
The Flow Game is another example. It was created in 1997. Eight friends in Denmark new that they needed something new, a new way to work in deeper consciousness. They created the game. Questions to go with it. They used to draw the board on paper. Simple experiments. Simple resources. Now, this game is being used and practiced in several countries by many trained leaders. It is being welcomed as needed tool to accomplish mission and vision. The game is also being prepared for release in a broader way -- not marketed -- but as a tool for deepening consciousness and action learning. From eight friends to a global stewarding and network.
The Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter is another example. It began with simple ideas. Some from a group of friends gathered at Castle Borl in Croatia, gathered in an open space learning group about 10 years ago. It began with desires to deepen work. It began with awareness that more was possible working with participation, co-creation, living systems, emergence. Friends talking with friends. Sharing "what if" stories. Today there is an explosion of hosts throughout the world. AoH has become a recognized brand. A shared identity in a community of practice that is in the thousands of people. A way of working in large scale change. A movement. We had no idea.
Our Optimal Health grew out of several Art of Hosting connections. One beginning was an Art of Hosting in 2005. Phil Cass convened several leaders focussed on how to improve the level of civic dialogue in Columbus. He thought it would be one event. From that training, an open space group formed, asking how might we be able to create affordable and sustainable health care for all in Franklin County. A bold question for a group of people ready to be bold. Since then, several assemblies have been held. Hundreds of people have been trained and now practice participative leadership. Columbus has become a model for large scale change that inspires other health care systems and other communities to create learning filled organizations and leader filled capacity. We had no idea.
Lastly, The Berkana Institute is another example. One beginning was in 1990. Meg Wheatley had just written Leadership and the New Science. Myron Kellner-Rogers and her were offering new paradigm work of leadership. They and others created Berkana through a series of dialogues about possibility. Friends gathering to imagine together. That grew to more dialogues. Seminars. Global leadership initiatives and communities. Pioneering work with leaders of other networks. Today, Berkana has significant reach. Thanks to Meg with her big heart and founding energy. But thanks to hundreds of others that have found in Berkana connections and courage to be pioneers themselves. Friends to hundreds and thousands of friends.
When teaching, I often offer the principle of "start anywhere, follow it everywhere." It is a way of working in a living system. It is a way of working in a network. It is a way of working with simple beginnings. Not complex, long term linear plans that become obsolete within months. Rather, deeply centered values that endure beyond time. In such, starting anywhere, is born the stories of "we had no idea" that can be shared with next generation leaders, ready to begin their dreams and wondering how to get started.
Sitting by a fire this morning. The wind is howling. There is snow on the rooftops, crusting in the wind. Winter has arrived.
I'm reflecting on several experiences during the last weeks. On people that have been involved in work that captures their hearts. It is what is common among many of us, that undeniable spark and trembling as we move into bigger versions of ourselves.
"We had no idea" is a theme common among these experiences. It is a statement about how far-reaching, purposeful, and enlivening our work or projects have become. These stories have my attention because it is typically so much easier to look back on a successful project with only admiration. Often there is an undertone of "we couldn't do that here." Yet, common in many is this sense of just getting started and growing into the bigness. From "we had no idea" to "wow, check this out."
The Mid Ohio Foodbank is one example of this. I heard it through Matt Habash, a former political leader in Columbus. He has had some affiliation with the Foodbank for 35 years now. It has grown to become the 10th largest foodbank of 260 in the US. They redistribute excess food, now 33 million pounds of it, annually. When I was with Matt last week, the new Foodbank was opening. A Leeds certified green building with space to convene community groups in dialogue and learning. They have funding. They have support from the community. They have vision in action. The have "wow, check this out."
The Flow Game is another example. It was created in 1997. Eight friends in Denmark new that they needed something new, a new way to work in deeper consciousness. They created the game. Questions to go with it. They used to draw the board on paper. Simple experiments. Simple resources. Now, this game is being used and practiced in several countries by many trained leaders. It is being welcomed as needed tool to accomplish mission and vision. The game is also being prepared for release in a broader way -- not marketed -- but as a tool for deepening consciousness and action learning. From eight friends to a global stewarding and network.
The Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter is another example. It began with simple ideas. Some from a group of friends gathered at Castle Borl in Croatia, gathered in an open space learning group about 10 years ago. It began with desires to deepen work. It began with awareness that more was possible working with participation, co-creation, living systems, emergence. Friends talking with friends. Sharing "what if" stories. Today there is an explosion of hosts throughout the world. AoH has become a recognized brand. A shared identity in a community of practice that is in the thousands of people. A way of working in large scale change. A movement. We had no idea.
Our Optimal Health grew out of several Art of Hosting connections. One beginning was an Art of Hosting in 2005. Phil Cass convened several leaders focussed on how to improve the level of civic dialogue in Columbus. He thought it would be one event. From that training, an open space group formed, asking how might we be able to create affordable and sustainable health care for all in Franklin County. A bold question for a group of people ready to be bold. Since then, several assemblies have been held. Hundreds of people have been trained and now practice participative leadership. Columbus has become a model for large scale change that inspires other health care systems and other communities to create learning filled organizations and leader filled capacity. We had no idea.
Lastly, The Berkana Institute is another example. One beginning was in 1990. Meg Wheatley had just written Leadership and the New Science. Myron Kellner-Rogers and her were offering new paradigm work of leadership. They and others created Berkana through a series of dialogues about possibility. Friends gathering to imagine together. That grew to more dialogues. Seminars. Global leadership initiatives and communities. Pioneering work with leaders of other networks. Today, Berkana has significant reach. Thanks to Meg with her big heart and founding energy. But thanks to hundreds of others that have found in Berkana connections and courage to be pioneers themselves. Friends to hundreds and thousands of friends.
When teaching, I often offer the principle of "start anywhere, follow it everywhere." It is a way of working in a living system. It is a way of working in a network. It is a way of working with simple beginnings. Not complex, long term linear plans that become obsolete within months. Rather, deeply centered values that endure beyond time. In such, starting anywhere, is born the stories of "we had no idea" that can be shared with next generation leaders, ready to begin their dreams and wondering how to get started.
Pot Pourri
October 28, 2009
Learning Organization Points of Intention -- From Toke Moeller and his participatory work with senior leaders in the European Commission: Innovation. Concrete Action. Working across boundaries. Building partnerships. Engaging Staff. Improving relations. Colearning. Activating collective intelligence. Action learning.
Balance Requires Movement -- From Bob Wing in a recent check-out circle. Bob offered the image of a bicycle in motion. It needs to be in motion to be in balance, as do we in our work. It is easier in the movement. Few can balance a bike when at rest.
Being Present = Hosting Self -- An insight in working with friends last weekend. It is part of a model, "The Four Fold Practice" that I often use in conversational leadership. I have usually emphasized the "being present" aspect of this through meditation, or the helpfulness of a deliberate pause to more fully show up at an event. Many of these friends were telling stories of the need to be able to host ourselves.
Awareness Days -- From conversations with Jerry Nagel and Toke Moeller. We were exploring how to invited people into the practice of hosting conversations that matter in a way that leads with purpose and need rather than process. We spoke of half day gatherings that proceed an Art of Hosting training that focus on this kind of question: Why do you feel it is important to host conversations in this city now? Or, why have you showed up to learn more about leadership through hosting conversations that matter? This is also a way to activate a shared sense of purpose for convening that is pointed at outcomes. Good also for new calling teams and for finding first level of purpose.
Powerful, Artful Questions of Invitation -- Again from conversations with several hosts at Flow Game training. What are the questions we want to ask on behalf of this city? What do we dare to start today that the kindergarten children will thank us for when they are older? And so as to give this some process awareness also, what if how we live in inquiry is our hope for our grandchildren -- to live as we have lived today.
Learning Organization Points of Intention -- From Toke Moeller and his participatory work with senior leaders in the European Commission: Innovation. Concrete Action. Working across boundaries. Building partnerships. Engaging Staff. Improving relations. Colearning. Activating collective intelligence. Action learning.
Balance Requires Movement -- From Bob Wing in a recent check-out circle. Bob offered the image of a bicycle in motion. It needs to be in motion to be in balance, as do we in our work. It is easier in the movement. Few can balance a bike when at rest.
Being Present = Hosting Self -- An insight in working with friends last weekend. It is part of a model, "The Four Fold Practice" that I often use in conversational leadership. I have usually emphasized the "being present" aspect of this through meditation, or the helpfulness of a deliberate pause to more fully show up at an event. Many of these friends were telling stories of the need to be able to host ourselves.
Awareness Days -- From conversations with Jerry Nagel and Toke Moeller. We were exploring how to invited people into the practice of hosting conversations that matter in a way that leads with purpose and need rather than process. We spoke of half day gatherings that proceed an Art of Hosting training that focus on this kind of question: Why do you feel it is important to host conversations in this city now? Or, why have you showed up to learn more about leadership through hosting conversations that matter? This is also a way to activate a shared sense of purpose for convening that is pointed at outcomes. Good also for new calling teams and for finding first level of purpose.
Powerful, Artful Questions of Invitation -- Again from conversations with several hosts at Flow Game training. What are the questions we want to ask on behalf of this city? What do we dare to start today that the kindergarten children will thank us for when they are older? And so as to give this some process awareness also, what if how we live in inquiry is our hope for our grandchildren -- to live as we have lived today.
Minimal Game Rules
October 25, 2009
I am a student of simplicity. I find myself in search of what is most simple -- not to over simplify, nor to be reductive -- but to create the most essential ground from which to create.
I learned the following this weekend training with Flow Game hosts. I realize these are actually minimal guidelines and conditions for many hosting practices.
Purpose: Flow. Of what? Consciousness, knowing that is not limited to the mind.
1. Have a personal question that you have a stake in.
2. Take turns. Pause between turns.
3. Listen to each other.
4. Offer something to your mates.
5. Harvest
Serving: Each other and projects we care about.
Magic in the Middle
October 25, 2009
Lately I have been giving much attention to magic. One form of this is a question I am living about what is underneath methods for engagement and participation. At Flow Game training, one of the questions asked was "How to feed the magic in the middle?" I appreciated friend, Toke Moeller's response. Toke has long been a teacher of such for me. We have become fellow students of such. Here is a bit of what he shared that felt very resonant for me:
- trust magic
- trust the space
- trust the heart of everyone
- don't control it or hold it
- don't expect magic, but be grateful when it comes
- be the jester, the student, the juggler, you
- respect form, but don't get lost in it
- we can't not sit in circle; it is who we are
- unite with the vertical
- enjoy the beauty of detachment
Flow Game Training
October 24, 2009
Taking a few moments to notice powerful learning showing up at this Flow Game Training. I am in Columbus, Ohio with several good hosting friends. We are in a 3-day training offered by Toke Moeller and Monica Nissen on the Flow Game. It is a board game that is centered in the practice of reflection and asking questions. It is a tool for helping individuals and teams learn and deep levels. We each carry a question into the game. Mine is "What next levels of emergence, consciousness, and good work can become available through the Flow Game?"
Yesterday was a full day. I loved hearing more of the place we were meeting in. Friend Matt Hobash offered the space, a beautiful wearhouse that is now the new home to the Mid Ohio Food Bank. They are the 10th largest food bank of 260 nationally, distributing 33 million pounds of food in 2009. Twenty percent of that is local. The food bank captures and redistributes excess food. It has a vision that it is living -- to become a center for hunger and nutrition education, to become a community center for many levels of wellness and inquiry.
The checkin round was full. Honest, real expressions of "not knowing." Of being "between worlds." Of intention to learn and to practice together a rich level of listening. The contexting gems started to surface as I began to imagine how I will use the game, how I will speak it.
- a way of accessing ancient wisdom, the kind that is carried in our togetherness and accessed only in our togetherness
- a way of working deliberately with emergence, consciousness, good work
- a way to be letting go of the definitions we have allowed to become real. Things like dismissals as soft of the simple act of working in love and relationship with each other
- a way of practicing from the heart
- a way of working on key needs -- good story here from Toke of a 13 year-old in Zimbabwe who's question was "How can I help my friends not become pregnant before it is time?"
- a way to strengthen the warrior of the heart in us
It was a full day. As we met for 20-30 minutes for each person, it required deliberate listening. I found that I learned much in others questions. Another experience of wholeness as my learnings peaked through another persons questions. I was tired by the end. Tired in the way that I see many through my hosting work -- energized from the experience, yet fatigued because of the energy commitment it takes to create together. We are all strengthening those abilities.
I learned my about artfulness in the game. The art of offering, whether it be a story, something that I love, a question, a song, a poem, an image, a vision, or a simple witnessing. I learned about connecting question to purpose and to the impressions inspired by the cards of the game -- from the seven directions of North, South, East, West, Heaven, Earth, Integrated Whole.
Looking forward to the next days of learning with this.
Credentials as Practice
October 24, 2009
I loved the Open Space experience I had last week on the Vancouver Island, Art of Hosting. One group was called on credentials. It began as an inquiry into what it takes to do this kind of hosting work. Had some of that feel of "what training?" It really came alive for me as it shifted to "what practice?" Chris Corrigan offered a few points. The group reflected on some. It fed the list I was noting in my book and helped me to see at a next level, a new paradigm for credentials.
1. Credential as Practice -- An older kind of thought would be credential as certification. As bestowed. Yes, there is value in this. I get the part about integrity of training and learning, etc. I get the part about key skills. Yet, there is also immense freedom to think of being credentialed by our practice. By our doing. By our "here is what I've learned lately, incomplete as it may be." It is a nice shift into emphasizing the learning process rather than the learning event.
2. Work with Friends -- Lots of friends. Practice together. Learn together. Feed off of each other to sharpen skills to see at the next level. To notice at the next level. To act from what we see emerging.
3. Offer Something -- A harvest. A story. A poem. A question. An invitation to work together. An invitation to create together. The shift in paradigm includes re-relationing from the authority of an institution into working within a web of people, into a community of practice. From "is it my place," sometimes restrained by organizational form into "gift to offer" that can then be received by those ready for it within the community.
4. Learn in Public -- Make it transparent. Open. Like the physical office windows or doors in many well-designed contemporary learning organizations. Learn as you go. And in front of people with you new ideas. Half-cooked ideas. Learnings. Insights. Learn on behalf of the whole.
5. Have a Presencing Practice -- With my friends at The Berkana Institute, I learn that this work is about emergence. It is about how we are creating the conditions for emergence within human systems. This is closely connected to learning about next levels of consciousness. It requires an ability to notice the seemingly invisible. The way that the whole of the room is speaking on behalf of any of the individuals. I find this to be a different kind of noticing. It requires me to be comfortable with stillness. With uncertainty. Presencing practices help me to hold myself and others better in that noticing and uncertainty. Meditate. Chi Gong. Yoga. Tai chi. Journaling. Something that helps you know enough stillness to hold self and others in chaos.
6. Examine Core Beliefs -- Keep this as an active conversation. For example, one of mine is the innate need to create. It riffs off of what I've often heard from Meg Wheatley about humans in living systems -- "People support what they create." My sense is that the desire to create -- solutions, innovations, structures,, clarity -- this is innate for us. It is a need, as strong as a need for food, shelter, love. I've discovered a few core beliefs along the way I've let go of. I've found a few new ones too. Credentialed by the ability to let go and construct fundamental beliefs.
7. Learn Global. Connect Regional. Act Local -- Another one I learn with friends at Berkana. It is good to learn together with people at conferences, in person, around the world. Amazing to think how we are changed by meeting the hearts of others. And to connect in regional efforts often is to strengthen courage. All for acting local. Doing the work in front of us.
Gratitude to the eight or so people that helped to created this learning.
Harvest -- Vancouver Island Art of Hosting
Photos -- a few faces and flipcharts that turned out well.
Credentials as Practice -- a list of seven ways to enter and participate in hosting work as a community of practice. Inspired by an Open Space group.
"35" is a simple process of converging learning. Each participant writes a key insight on a 3x5 card. Here, the question was the one above. Cards are exchanged randomly. You let go of your own. When the music stops, you choose a partner to compare cards. You assign 7 points to the two cards (7, 0; 6, 1; 5, 2; 4, 3). The music starts again and cards are exchanged randomly again. Five stops creates the opportunity for a card to receive a maximum of 35 points. Its a good way to get a quick read, generated by participants, on what ideas are more widely shared. The top ten and ties are below. The full list is here. For me these are quick reads into what happens at an Art of Hosting that has gone particularly well.
Practices bring human heart and authentic community together.
Participation in the process creates ownership.
Hosting conversations with intent and presence is natural and powerful and should be shared -- we can all do it!
The spiraling out of a collective consciousness towards positive communication and change.
We create “conditions” / spaces for honest, authentic dialogue & conversation...the sources of innovation & creative resolution (wholly expressed!!!)
The importance of how simple yet deep the processes are to stimulate “friendly” community around purpose.
Connecting whole ly with mindfulness of self and openness to other.
I / we don’t need all of the answers.
Fearlessly making magic.
Bring hearts & hopes. To possibilities. To actions.
Working from open heart, open mind, open will.
10 Principles for Practicing Conversational Leadership
October 6, 2009
In late August a team of us (Toke Moeller, Helen Emerson, Glen Lauder, Mary Alice-Arthur, Peter Cowley, Jacqueline Benndorf) completed hosting an Art of Hosting training in New Zealand. There were 92 participants. For three days we had been through much learning together about hosting and harvesting conversations as a strategic approach. Conversational leadership as a strategic approach.
On the fourth day, two participants, Peta Joyce and Viv Maidaborn, hosted us in collecting content insights and gems from the full days together. I loved the commitment they brought to noticing what we could know together that was different from what we knew individually.
The headlines as principles for practicing conversational leadership are listed below. They are tips and insights for all of us as practitioners. They were born from the essential commitment of noticing what is emerging, a core competency in all conversational leadership.
Principles for Practicing Conversational Leadership
1. Give and Take What Matters
2. From Trust, Action
3. Notice Interconnection
4. Don't Be Too Hard On Ourselves
5. Share Responsibility
6. Create Our Own Best Living Space
7. Be Bold and Playful
8. Do One Thing Differently That Makes A Ripple
9. Clarify Intent, Hold Opposites
10. Celebrate the More of Me that is Available Because of Us
In late August a team of us (Toke Moeller, Helen Emerson, Glen Lauder, Mary Alice-Arthur, Peter Cowley, Jacqueline Benndorf) completed hosting an Art of Hosting training in New Zealand. There were 92 participants. For three days we had been through much learning together about hosting and harvesting conversations as a strategic approach. Conversational leadership as a strategic approach.
On the fourth day, two participants, Peta Joyce and Viv Maidaborn, hosted us in collecting content insights and gems from the full days together. I loved the commitment they brought to noticing what we could know together that was different from what we knew individually.
The headlines as principles for practicing conversational leadership are listed below. They are tips and insights for all of us as practitioners. They were born from the essential commitment of noticing what is emerging, a core competency in all conversational leadership.
Principles for Practicing Conversational Leadership
1. Give and Take What Matters
2. From Trust, Action
3. Notice Interconnection
4. Don't Be Too Hard On Ourselves
5. Share Responsibility
6. Create Our Own Best Living Space
7. Be Bold and Playful
8. Do One Thing Differently That Makes A Ripple
9. Clarify Intent, Hold Opposites
10. Celebrate the More of Me that is Available Because of Us
- short paragraphs of description for each of the principles
- a next level harvest on more principles that emerged from the community of participants
- links to additional resources including the design overview of the event, Wordle Illustrations of the principles, and related blog links
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