Running an Art of Hosting workshop this week for employees of the City of Edmonton. We are about 30 people all together looking at the art of hosting participatory process, convening and leading in complex environments where certainty is an artifact of the past. Naturally because these people work for a municipal government, the conversations we are having tend to be about systems. We are working at the level of what it takes a system to shift itself as well as what it takes of an individual to lead when the answers are unclear. For me, lots of good insights …
My friend Toke Moeller: "Purpose is the invisible leader." That's a nice way to start the week. Remember that one. # RE: http://bit.ly/cNn7Aq @technoshaman what can I do to help? # Uploaded a paper outlining some of my current practice on participatory community engagement, esp. with First Nations: http://bit.ly/bRwkFa # Formalizing hitch hiking on Bowen Island, BC : http://bit.ly/dtljKB #bowenLIFT # Working at the Nanaimo Convention Centre. Very nice rooms, high ceilings, big windows, good food, friendly service. Nice surprise! # Autumn breaks clear and calm, a dawn of orange light and crisp air. Our island's ours again! # Soft …
Was reading an article about the US’s options for discussing peace in Afghanistan, and was struck by this quote: Endless war reinforces the political power of leaders who make war. Negotiations reinforce the power of political actors. Negotiations surface issues: you have to say what you want, and what you are willing to accept. Right now, no-one, not even a U.S. government official, can clearly articulate what the U.S. really wants in Afghanistan, and what the U.S. is willing to accept. What exactly the Taliban want, or are willing to accept, besides driving out foreign forces, has also been the …
I recently wrote a white paper for a First Nations organization on participatory community engagement. The paper outlines several models, principles and processes that I am mcurrently working with as I help groups design and implement longer term community engagement processes. Here is the most recent version of the paper for your reading, in .pdf format. The paper talks about mental models and comes from a perspective of decolonization. I’d love to have your thoughts in the comments so I can refine it further.