The Concepts

The Power of Refusal
If we can not say "no" to a plan of action, then our saying "yes" has absolutely no meaning.  You will learn how to embrace cynicism, acknowledge dissent and air disagreements in a larger social context.  By inviting individuals to freely voice support of a plan or to dissent, we create the possibility of greater cultures of accountability and ultimately more successful realization of our plans.

The Power of Choice
Most change strategies are sophisticated forms of coercion and create resistance.  You will learn the skills of co-creation in the action phase of a project.  Co-creation or invitation puts choice in the hands of everyone in the room.  You will learn how to use each meeting as an example of how you want the larger institution to operate.  It starts within the space that we inhabit.  You will learn how to design each gathering to more closely fit your intentions and why the power of space is significant in all interventions

The Power of Questions
You will learn how questions are a gift and how they confront us in a way that answers do not.  great questions are ambiguous and personal.  Poor questions such as "What's in it for me?, Does tope management support this? or What if I say no?" are merely forms of resistance and entitlement.  You will learn how to refuse to answer the wrong questions and still affirm and identify the statement of feeling behind the question.

Create New Conversations
Beyond the words we choose, which in and of themselves can have a significant impact on the culture we create, conversation is expressed in the context in which we meet.  You will learn to bring all voices into play and recognize the very way we exist in the moment with each other is what creates a better future.  You will learn how to be aware of the context of the conversation and how it creates and environment where ideas can be embraced and eventually acted upon.

Promises of Commitment
You will learn how promises made to peers not to bosses carry the power of choosing accountability so that ideas will actually be implemented.  You will learn how promises becomes measures  that have real meaning and ensure the success of any implementation plan.