Mar/11/10//Curtis Ogden//Collaboration

Dimensions of Social Space

As process designers, facilitators, and change agents, we are called upon to help create conditions in which things can happen between people, whether alignment, agreement building, innovation, etc. At times this can be a tall order. Thankfully we are supported by an array of tools and techniques at our disposal. Knowing which of the social architect’s tools to turn to in any given situation is a core challenge. Something I’ve recently found useful as a guide is considering different dimensions of social space and how these can be leveraged so that collective work can bring about the very best.

continue reading

Comments [5]////Permalink// Like [2]
Mar/10/10//Linda Guinee//Inspiration

And Still I Rise

Ellen Gurzinsky posted this on facebook this week (in honor of International Women’s Day).  Rather than adding my own words, I thought I’d pass it along here — a beautiful piece by Maya Angelou.  In the spirit of Melinda’s recent posts of wonderful poetry, here’s another gem.  Really – what more is there to say?

Comments [6]////Permalink// Like [3]
Mar/09/10//Gibrán Rivera//Facilitative Leadership

Share an Inspiring Vision

Inspiringvision

Sharing an inspiring vision is one of the seven practices of Facilitative Leadership.  Here at the Interaction Institute for Social Change we are fond of saying that “a leader must share an inspiring vision in order to inspire a shared vision.” If you are reading this blog you probably have a vision.  You are interested in social change, you want to believe that indeed another world is possible – and you have a role in making it happen.  You have a vision of the world you want to see. continue reading

Comments [2]////Permalink// Like [2]
Mar/05/10//Melinda Weekes//Learning Edge

Design Thinking for Social Change

In a recent conversation with professors and students at Savannah College of Art and Design’s Design Management program, I was asked to share what we at IISC mean when we use the phrase  “design thinking” in social change initiatives. Talking with vocational designers  about designing for  social change was a very different conversation from conversations with change agents and activists on the same topic.  I subsequently came across this insightful blog entry by interaction designer Dan Saffer, “Thinking about Design Thinking”, and although he does not apply a social change agenda to his thinking here, he helps lay out distinctive features of  what designers mean by the term “design thinking” as follows (we can apply the social change lens on our own): continue reading

Comments [2]////Permalink// Like [1]
Mar/04/10//Curtis Ogden//Your Experiences

Listening (& Learning) as an Ally

My wife and I are wrapping up our annual winter vacation to visit family in Florida.  Each year this proves to be something of a spiritual practice for me, and this trip has been no different.  As wonderful as it is to slow down, un-hunch shoulders, and wear fewer layers, the focus of my practice tends not to be the natural surroundings and climate so much as what I find to be the challenging social environment.

continue reading

Comments [3]////Permalink// Like [2]
« Older Entries
 

You need to log in to vote

The blog owner requires users to be logged in to be able to vote for this post.

Alternatively, if you do not have an account yet you can create one here.

Powered by Vote It Up