Workforce Council

Participatory Leaders in Action: The Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter

A 3-day program to explore the use of conversation and participatory leadership as tools for system and organisational change.

Navigating through the complex range of system and social reforms currently impacting on our communities requires transformational leadership. The Art of Hosting is an approach to finding new solutions for the challenges we face. It activates collective intelligence and builds on the strengths and knowledge we already have.

The traditional command and control style of leadership is no longer productive and we need to find new ways of leading the transformation that is required. During this training, you will explore a range of tools and principles for increasing the level and quality of participation in problem-solving and decision-making around the issues that matter to people. The broad question you are invited to consider is:

How do we build the capacity within our systems for connections and collaborative action to flourish in service of our communities?

This training program will include both theoretical content (including the use of Art of Hosting principles and tools for leading through complexity), and experiential learning. Participants will be invited to use challenges and issues they are currently dealing with, as subject material at various parts of the program, however, the focus of the program is on building skill and confidence in the use of tools and processes. An Art of Hosting handbook will be provided on commencement of the program.

Purpose of the Program:

• To explore how hosted conversation as a process, complements more traditional ways of leading teams and organisations
• To explore collaborative means of responding to complex system and organisational issues
• To experience and learn how to use tools that invite people to contribute their strengths and gifts to meet a common purpose
• To equip leaders to drive change using participatory methods

Participants will:

• Gain an understanding of the principles and practice of hosting and harvesting conversations

• Gain an understanding and experience of appreciative inquiry methods and how they may be used in day to day work broader system transformation and social change
• Identify and plan opportunities for increasing the quality and level of engagement in finding solutions to shared concerns

Presenters:

The program will be hosted by a team of local and international practitioners, including Toke Moeller, Monica Nissen (Denmark), Phil Cass (USA), Mary-Alice Arthur (NZ), Wallis Westbrook, and Valmae Rose (Brisbane).

Workshop Details

Wednesday 22 February 2012: 9am - 5pm

Thursday 23 Februrary 2012: 9am - 5pm

Friday 24 February 2012: 9am - 5pm

Other workshops also available: 

Participatory Leaders in Action: Bundaberg 1 March 2012 (1-day)

Participatory Leaders in Action: Brisbane 2 March 2012 (1-day)

For more information and to register, download the flyer (PDF, above right)

Date: 22 February 2012

Region: