A common question we hear as people are learning consent decision-making goes something like this: “If we determine that an objection lacks sufficient reason, can we disregard it or not integrate into the proposal?” In other words – can we classify some objections as simply not worthy of attention? Without actually exploring their connection with…Continue reading
“When someone deeply listens to you, your bare feet are on the earth and a beloved land that seemed distant is now at home within you.” –John Fox in Poetic Medicine: The Healing Art of Poem-making If you prefer listening to reading, this blog is based on a podcast interview by the same name. In…Continue reading
“Everything we do depends for its quality on the thinking we do first. Our thinking depends on the quality of our attention for each other.” –Nancy Kline, Time to Think: Listening to Ignite the Human Mind If you prefer listening to reading, this blog is based on a podcast interview by the same name. Have…Continue reading
The Zen school of Buddhism has a long history, and a great variety of disciplines and lineages. This post explores a few similarities between the wisdoms of Zen and sociocracy, based primarily on contemporary lineages of “engaged Buddhism.” Not Knowing Fundamental to most forms of Zen Buddhism is a commitment to penetrating the unknown –…Continue reading
Heed objections or exclude objectors? “I have an objection,” said Jodie, a young health worker. “Our training is for people suffering from loneliness in isolation. This decision will put off the people we are wanting to help!” Jack had proposed to the policy meeting that the group’s in-person training be delayed if there was a…Continue reading
I’ve been working in the domains of organizational governance and positive mental health for more than ten years. At first, I did not see the connection between these two areas, keeping them in separate silos. I see it differently today. Let me explain more specifically by looking at the connecting thread between the Sociocratic Circle-organization…Continue reading
People who first hear of sociocracy often ask, “Can that help with conflict?” My short answer is usually, “Yes, it can help, depending on the cause of the conflict.” A better answer is, “Yes it can, but better yet it can help prevent conflict in the first place.” Lack of clarity can contribute to conflict…Continue reading
Talking Circles Indigenous Peoples have used talking circles and practiced inclusion and collaboration for millennia. All leaders in a tribal council are heard, without interruption. Decision-making happens in a circle, and all living things are viewed as equal within the circle. Power-with is a dialogue, where everyone stands on the ground, face to face. The…Continue reading
Guest post by Evan J Miller Back in May I gave a presentation to the Global Sociocracy For All conference. I really appreciated the chance to think through and share my ideas about the connections between Leadership Agility and Sociocracy. Leadership Agility is a discipline for charting a course for developing leaders, and Sociocracy is…Continue reading
Power-with is a mode of operating in deep collaboration, central to the Sociocratic Circle-organization Method (SCM). Should you be familiar with the gracious and effective momentum of the SCM, you will understand the natural intelligence embedded in its power-with approach. Here we explore what power-with is, and why it is so powerful to organizations in…Continue reading