EMBRACING DIVERSITY, UNCERTAINTY & CHANGE 

 

Mark Butz

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When we look back at the past, we may find little to guide us in our choices for the future.
 
When we look around us, we may find that the status quo no longer seems like the best way to continue.  
 
When we look around at people, we find a world of diversity - of origins, cultures, values, viewpoints.
 
When we look ahead to the future, it seems that the only thing certain is that we will face uncertainty.

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  The changing nature of change
 
Change in ourselves and in the outside world is inevitable, in both senses that it is always with us whether we like it or not, and that we cannot avoid it. 
The issue is how successfully we can manage it through the people involved.
  
Change to a new future is an untrodden path, where the new will not be the same as the old, the future not just a variation, improvement or adaptation of the past.  
 
In other words, change is constant, but change is not continuous. 
 
This uncertainty brings discomfort, confusion and difficulty, particularly for those in positions of authority.
 
On top of this, the rate and complexity of change increases over time, compounding concerns.

And then the 'old ways' of coping with, or managing, change are not working for us any more.  
They are certainly tried but are no longer true.
 
But if ‘change’ is seen as synonymous with ‘growth’ and ‘learning’ and 'opportunity', then the society (or organisation, or group, or individual) that welcomes change, can use that change and embrace uncertainty, instead of just reacting to it.  

OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES

As a result of attending these practical skill sets, each participant will have developed:
 
New capacities  

• new insights and perspectives on communication and the underlying dynamics of human processes, the different ways people process the world, and engage in thinking and learning   
• new skills and tools to explore diverse values, diagnose the nature of differences, tap into creativity, build cooperative relationships, and develop agreement and commitment 

Practical application 

• the ability to apply new learning, as a leader/facilitator of process, to understand and lead effective  transitions and change 
• a plan for real-life application of key methods and understandings, and for continued coaching or mentoring  

Strengthened engagement and relationships

• enhanced confidence to engage with diverse parties and complex situations to build towards creative and constructive outcomes  
• strengthened relationships with peers, colleagues and others through sharing of practical experience and engagement in exercises which assist participants to become a resource to each other.  

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CORE STRUCTURE
 
The customary delivery is in two sessions of two days, with six to eight weeks intervening, during which participants undertake to apply the understandings and skills they have learned in the first session.  
 
Some components can be offered in a cumulative sequence of one day sessions, with adjustments.
 

SESSION 1: DIVERSITY AND DIFFERENCE		SESSION 2: UNCERTAINTY AND CHANGE
DAY 1		DAY 3
Individuals: Processing differently: filters, blind spots, images and messages Thinking & learning differently: Multiple intelligences		Individuals: Impact of Uncertainty & Change: working with process cycles, loss & grief   Roles and readiness in Uncertainty & Change: from drama to empowerment
DAY 2		DAY 4
Groups & Organisations: Mindsets and value systems: Spiral Dynamics  Diagnosing systems in organisations Designing effective engagements  Real-life applications		Groups & Organisations: Ecology of Change: Dynamics Screen Designing Change Maps Real-life applications
Practice in real-life application  Coaching and Mentoring		Continued real-life application Coaching & Mentoring

   

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OPTIONAL STRUCTURE - DIVERSITY, DIFFERENCE AND CHANGE 
 
The Embracing Diversity, Uncertainty & Change package can be effectively coupled with Relating, Influencing & Negotiating to form two high impact three-day sessions.  One possible format is as follows:
 

SESSION 1: DIVERSITY, DIFFERENCE & CHANGE Individuals		SESSION 2: DIVERSITY, DIFFERENCE & CHANGE Groups & Organisations
DAY 1		DAY 4
An ecology of difference Processing differently: filters, blind spots, images and messages Thinking & learning differently: mental maps, multiple intelligences    Human process and change		Debrief on experiences in application   Dynamics Screen Mindsets and value systems: Spiral Dynamics  Diagnosing systems in organisations
DAY 2		DAY 5
Tuning in for understanding / Deep listening Testing for clarity Effective and constructive  communication Authenticity, acceptance and empathy Being open to influence / Influencing others Creating and strengthening connection Building mutual understanding Rapport, empathy, perceptual positioning		Addressing human needs Principled negotiation for mutual benefit  Relationships, Interests and Needs Expanding possibilities/making agreement easy Reframing, dovetailing interests, bridging gaps
DAY 3		DAY 6
Impact of Uncertainty & Change: working with process cycles, loss & grief   Roles and readiness in Uncertainty & Change: from drama to empowerment  Dealing with the difficult / Dealing with conflict Leadership under fire		Alternative agreements & final agreements Closing with commitment Authentic partnership    Integrating learnings Designing effective engagements  Real-life applications
Practice in real-life application  Coaching and Mentoring		Continued real-life application Coaching & Mentoring

 

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LEARNING EXPERIENCE 

In either format, the learning experience includes:

• working to an individual learning contract 
• coaching and mentoring of individual facilitation in practice (action learning) 

Experiential and adult learning principles support the learning and application of tools and techniques by grounding these in actual work projects of participants.  This format builds competence and confidence in the continued use of skills and understandings, and deepens awareness of the profound role of facilitative leadership in embracing change.
 
At the end of the training each participant will have a statement of attendance, a comprehensive set of course notes, and proposals for application and practice of their learnings in real-life situations. 
 
They will also have access to mentoring from highly experienced facilitators. 
   
To find out about upcoming courses, or to explore possibilities in your area or organisation, please email.
   

 
CONTENT METHODOLOGIES 
 
Material addressed or presented in the training is drawn or adapted from:

• Technology of Participation™ (ToP™)
  
• improvisation 
• narrative technique  
• strengths-based and appreciative approaches 
• Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) 
• other established and emerging developments in facilitation and communication practice; and
• a wide range of practical models of human intelligence, behaviour, communication, dynamics and learning, to deepen understanding, assist in diagnosis and design, and encourage application. 

Actual material addressed in any event will vary in response to the needs and expressed interests of participants.

The leaders are authorised to deliver Technology of Participation (ToP) content.  
  
Participants who complete the practical skill sets may be eligible to receive a certificate of attendance at ToP Facilitative Leadership Program Module 4 Working with Diverse Value Systems and Module 6 Understanding & Leading Change.
 

Completion of the ToP Facilitative Leadership Program is a requirement for being assessed as a Certified ToP Facilitator. 

 
 

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See also Training in facilitation, communication, leadership, influencing and negotiating offered by Mark Butz of Futures by Design™ and Learnscapes™.  
Clients of our training are eligible to receive discounts on facilitation services from Futures by Design™.

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SAMPLE FEEDBACK ON TRAINING LED BY MARK BUTZ *

See Testimonials on Practice for participant feedback  
 
* in association with others   
 

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See also:

Out in Front: The Way of the Facilitative Leader™    

Relating, Influencing & Negotiating 
 
Facilitating & Leading in Groups 
 
Facilitation Fundamentals

Staying on Track   Link coming soon
 
Finding Your Voice, Hearing Others   Link coming soon
 
Bringing The Real You to All You Do   Link coming soon 
 
Learning to Learn   Link coming soon
 
Breaking New Ground   Link coming soon  
 
Adapting, Surviving and Thriving  Link coming soon
 
Being a Facilitative Leader