Supporting & Guiding Change Processes
The desire for change is most commonly driven by unmet needs or a vision for something ‘better.’ Whatever the motivation for change, it remains important to get clear on whose needs, and whose vision before we start out on any journey towards change.
However, as clear as we might get on the desired change, the change process is a fuzzy concept…we can never guarantee a particular outcome, and it might not be clear how we are going to get there. This is why we need to equip ourselves with the skills and practices that best guide and support us on our journey.
What happens when we reframe change from a starting place of ‘not good enough,’ to just a natural, continuous rhythm of life, and part of our journey, whether as an individual, community or organisation? We support our clients to inquire into the questions: what skills will best support me to journey well, and for us to journey together?
Curiosity
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Critical, Creative & Systemic Thinking
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Listening
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Empathy
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Collaboration
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Agency
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Curiosity · Critical, Creative & Systemic Thinking · Listening · Empathy · Collaboration · Agency ·
What kind of change is it?
As well as skills and practices, frameworks can further guide and support the change process without stifling the creativity and diversity of thought and perspective needed.
Metaphors of change can act as frameworks to spark imagination, surface and embody key values, behaviours and actions, and provide a ‘container’ for the change process. Below are some examples of change metaphors that could guide and inspire your journey.
Seasons
Key change elements of the seasons are the consistent rhythm of change, that give the foresight to prepare and adapt; and the value of balancing productivity with reflection for collective wellbeing.
Life & Death
Key change elements of life and death, are having the courage to let go of old ways of working and the ability to generate and implement fresh ideas and practices.
Metamorphosis
Key change elements of metamorphosis are the need to breakdown in order to to breakthrough, and that everything we need for transformation is already within us.
Alchemy
Key change elements of alchemy are creatively working with difference, tensions and diverse perspectives, and transforming their potential into something new and valuable.
What values or mindset underpin your change process?
Underpinning our work is a broad framework of practices that move from receptive, to reflective, to responsive. This approach reflects learning created from our experience, combined with core values and perspectives on change processes.
Receptive
Real, long-lasting change requires individuals and organisations who are open. To be open requires curiosity, self-awareness and the courage to receive the truth of a situation or narrative as it is heard from all perspectives. Open listening is guided with the intention to understand and bring greater awareness to previously held assumptions, biases, values and beliefs that could be potential barriers to change.
Reflective
Receptivity is followed by a reflective practice: the meaning making. By asking the often difficult questions, through a process of inquiry and clarification, a deeper level of understanding and new learning can be arrived at and unhealthy behaviours, practices and dynamics can be named and explored. A new narrative can emerge, that has been co-created by those involved in the change process who are poised and enabled to act from this common place.
Responsive
By investing time in the development of receptive and reflective practices, individuals and organisations are able to respond from a place of strengthened relationships, collective intelligence and systemic knowledge. Decisions made will provide more effective long-term outcomes and support the creation of more creative, healthy and thriving practices, organisations and communities.
“People don’t fear change. They fear change without meaning.”
Creating Meaning provides a valuable strategic thinking partner, allowing you to create meaning from the beginning to the end of your change process. Bringing a wide range of facilitated communication approaches, Creating Meaning can equip your team or community with the skills and practices to effectively navigate and bring about positive change together. Transformational change happens with people, not to them
If you would like to discuss how we can support you on your change journey, please get in touch.