Thanks Renee - this quote feels so true ‘We are in a collective global moment of figuring out, testing and experimenting with ways of bringing people together for impact.’
I live and work in a part of the world that is outside of the corridor of ‘work hours’ for the Global North as well as being physically remote. Convening in, or from Perth/Boorloo throws many challenges - especially when proximity can be so important for many gatherings.
The points you raise about experimenting with how to bring people together are a necessity when your nearest centre of influence is a four hour plane trip away. This relative isolation also makes a necessity of care and community - foundations that allow us to muck around and play with new possibilities for coming together.
Renee I was absolutely glued to this piece whilst boarding a flight this morning, I couldn’t put my phone down! 😂 All of this really needed to be said, thank you 🙌
I’m wondering if you have any tips for attendees on how to assess/choose events with these factors in mind? I really resonated with your points about seeking respite and connection at these gatherings and it can be particularly jarring to make a big effort to go (time, energy, expense) and have a bad experience.
I think that we can be discerning when we scan an agenda, and we can also reach out to organizers to ask if they have designed for reflection and downtime….
This is a great article and includes a key question for all guides and facilitators .. what is your theory of change? Yes - we are between paradigms and your article really helps me think mindfully about what works, doesn’t work and why- thank you 😊
Your piece was shared by colleague who is helping to support an early stage network of people from various regions across the US doing change work in diverse settings. It tied directly with what we are working through as we are forming.
I then couldn’t wait to share it with those I’ve been working with for years in place based work. Themes and take aways spot on for what we are grappling with as well.
I'm fairly new to Substack and just seeing this now--and I'm glad I did! Terrific piece, and the trends (and the tensions) you noted are even more present now. I'm seeing much more openness among positional leaders and conveners to events where people "co-" everything, from co-creating the goals and co-developing an analysis, to co-creating strategies and determining priorities together.
Where things still seem to get stuck is that, even if the interest and intent are there, many people don't yet get HOW to work this way.
What a beautiful article! It’s so nice to see and hear other people in the space approaching work similarly to my colleagues and I who have been working with impact networks and convenings for sometime. Nice to meet you, sister. Looking forward to hearing more insights and happy to share anytime.
As a facilitator, I love designing events that allow for maximal participation, mix-n-matching people - which generates lots of energy and synergy for collaboration. I don't find TED events engaging; I can't sit and listen to people for 3 hours (I tried...)
If we're bringing people together, why not create interactions and let them discover new people - and harness that energy towards doing something? Anyone else on that wavelength? ;-)
Brilliant article! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise and these insights, Dr Renée!
As a Researcher, this pattern became a hot topic "in my bubble" in the past two years or so; I've been noticing people speaking up about everyone being tired of event formats with a packed programme (an illusion of value?), where attendees sit the whole day listening to people speak. Almost zero interaction, no time for reflection, and little time for networking, for discovery, experience, integration, and transformation. The energy drain is real.
Perhaps the bottom line in these new formats is the shift from *inputs* (people passively absorbing content) to *outputs* (people having the opportunity to co-create, collaborate, share reflection, and engagement). Their presence can be expressed in multiple layers.
I love that you highlight the importance of designing events for neurodiversity, connecting through stories (a practice that Indigenous people teach us well), spiritual and embodied experiences, and the need for "blank space".
What you describe about "how those who work in these spaces, and the people most impacted, can also be in the room?" is often the point of highest concern that comes up in conversations in my circles. How could we build more bridges in environments that are so privileged?
If your article had been written on a physical paper, I'd wrap it in a nice ribbon - thanks for this gift!
This is spot on, Renée! I love what Peter Block says: “ everyone’s voice in the room needs to be heard, but not every voice needs to be heard by everyone”- or something like that. Meaning, if I can share in a group of three or four, it is really impactful for me to be heard and to hear others. But not everybody in the room needs to hear me. Just as long as we can hold space for each other. It is transformational. I also love what you said about the idea that everybody in the room could be a keynote. It is so true. It seems that taking advantage of the live human aspect of being in the same room together is so much more important than listening to one persons knowledge or experience. A few exceptional speakers is fine, but three days of workshops and breakouts will undoubtedly have a drop in quality. Thank you for these insights!
Thanks Renee - this quote feels so true ‘We are in a collective global moment of figuring out, testing and experimenting with ways of bringing people together for impact.’
I live and work in a part of the world that is outside of the corridor of ‘work hours’ for the Global North as well as being physically remote. Convening in, or from Perth/Boorloo throws many challenges - especially when proximity can be so important for many gatherings.
The points you raise about experimenting with how to bring people together are a necessity when your nearest centre of influence is a four hour plane trip away. This relative isolation also makes a necessity of care and community - foundations that allow us to muck around and play with new possibilities for coming together.
This was the most useful article on change that I have read in a long time! Helped me to rethink some things I am planning. Thank you!
Awesome! Thanks.
Renee I was absolutely glued to this piece whilst boarding a flight this morning, I couldn’t put my phone down! 😂 All of this really needed to be said, thank you 🙌
I’m wondering if you have any tips for attendees on how to assess/choose events with these factors in mind? I really resonated with your points about seeking respite and connection at these gatherings and it can be particularly jarring to make a big effort to go (time, energy, expense) and have a bad experience.
I think that we can be discerning when we scan an agenda, and we can also reach out to organizers to ask if they have designed for reflection and downtime….
Such an insightful article - thank you for sharing - lots of food for thought and reflection
Thanks!
This is a great article and includes a key question for all guides and facilitators .. what is your theory of change? Yes - we are between paradigms and your article really helps me think mindfully about what works, doesn’t work and why- thank you 😊
Relevant, insightful and resonant.
Your piece was shared by colleague who is helping to support an early stage network of people from various regions across the US doing change work in diverse settings. It tied directly with what we are working through as we are forming.
I then couldn’t wait to share it with those I’ve been working with for years in place based work. Themes and take aways spot on for what we are grappling with as well.
Thank you!
- Julie
So glad to hear this!
This is wonderfully perceptive, thank you. I love the way you’re thinking about this. Experiential recharge for well being. I think it’s fabulous. 🙏💚
Thank you! 🙏
I love how you captured what I've been noticing in group experiences the past several years, Renee. Thank you, I'll be sharing with others!
I'm fairly new to Substack and just seeing this now--and I'm glad I did! Terrific piece, and the trends (and the tensions) you noted are even more present now. I'm seeing much more openness among positional leaders and conveners to events where people "co-" everything, from co-creating the goals and co-developing an analysis, to co-creating strategies and determining priorities together.
Where things still seem to get stuck is that, even if the interest and intent are there, many people don't yet get HOW to work this way.
Thanks. That’s why we need to invest in skill building and training in a very serious way. Treated as too casually right now.
What a beautiful article! It’s so nice to see and hear other people in the space approaching work similarly to my colleagues and I who have been working with impact networks and convenings for sometime. Nice to meet you, sister. Looking forward to hearing more insights and happy to share anytime.
ah thank you so much!! (just seeing this now, sorry!)
Great tips, thank you. My best experiences have been with group meetings in nature, and also having meditative space for contemplation.
yes for sure, nature is the ultimate relational field and container.
As a facilitator, I love designing events that allow for maximal participation, mix-n-matching people - which generates lots of energy and synergy for collaboration. I don't find TED events engaging; I can't sit and listen to people for 3 hours (I tried...)
If we're bringing people together, why not create interactions and let them discover new people - and harness that energy towards doing something? Anyone else on that wavelength? ;-)
exactly!!
Brilliant article! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise and these insights, Dr Renée!
As a Researcher, this pattern became a hot topic "in my bubble" in the past two years or so; I've been noticing people speaking up about everyone being tired of event formats with a packed programme (an illusion of value?), where attendees sit the whole day listening to people speak. Almost zero interaction, no time for reflection, and little time for networking, for discovery, experience, integration, and transformation. The energy drain is real.
Perhaps the bottom line in these new formats is the shift from *inputs* (people passively absorbing content) to *outputs* (people having the opportunity to co-create, collaborate, share reflection, and engagement). Their presence can be expressed in multiple layers.
I love that you highlight the importance of designing events for neurodiversity, connecting through stories (a practice that Indigenous people teach us well), spiritual and embodied experiences, and the need for "blank space".
What you describe about "how those who work in these spaces, and the people most impacted, can also be in the room?" is often the point of highest concern that comes up in conversations in my circles. How could we build more bridges in environments that are so privileged?
If your article had been written on a physical paper, I'd wrap it in a nice ribbon - thanks for this gift!
ah thank you, your note also feels like a "gift" - 🎁
Thanks for this one ❤️ so good to read it today.
thanks Andrea!
totally agree with the recommendations!
This is spot on, Renée! I love what Peter Block says: “ everyone’s voice in the room needs to be heard, but not every voice needs to be heard by everyone”- or something like that. Meaning, if I can share in a group of three or four, it is really impactful for me to be heard and to hear others. But not everybody in the room needs to hear me. Just as long as we can hold space for each other. It is transformational. I also love what you said about the idea that everybody in the room could be a keynote. It is so true. It seems that taking advantage of the live human aspect of being in the same room together is so much more important than listening to one persons knowledge or experience. A few exceptional speakers is fine, but three days of workshops and breakouts will undoubtedly have a drop in quality. Thank you for these insights!
thank you! (just seeing this)