Creating Generative Space
In this section you will find the following tools:
What is Generative Space?
Tool: Foundational group agreements
Tool: 4 Levels of listening
Tool: Collective Visioning
What is Generative Space?
Generative space is a collective space where, through deepened relationship and connection - heartfelt and embodied - it is possible to create and nurture new knowledge and understanding.
Creating generative spaces requires intentionality. The care brought to design of collective work is critical in defining the quality of the outcome.
Some of the new science emerging on Generative Social Fields has been pioneered by the Center for Systems Awareness. This work is exploring the quality of relationship, connection and space when groups take the time to attend to relationship and trust as a foundation for systems work. The work of Dr. Dan Siegel also provides a strong foundation for understanding deep human connection and what is possible through the nurturance of this.
Foundational group agreements
Building a collective sense of trust so that a group has the will and connection to host meaningful systemic discussions takes time and commitment. It is relational work that happens in between the people involved in working together. It defines the quality and depth of what is possible. It is work that acts as a foundation for every conversation, and it can be renewed and refreshed on a regular basis as the group comes together, shrinks or expands.
Creating a group culture can be done in a variety of ways and they all revolve around the careful process of creating agreements between members of the group, and speaking these agreements in regularly. Agreements allow members of the group to speak in about what is important to them, and explore what this means to group functioning. And they can be especially useful if you hit lumps and bumps and need to reaffirm your collective values and ways that you want to work together. Agreements are never one and done - they are a tool that can ground the ongoing quality of the relationships in the group and the work.
Here are some examples of groups agreements. These values are often those that we hold dear and the important step is to bring them into your groups and to bring them alive - beyond the words, what are the actions that ensure these values are lived through.
Some of the most useful material that can support your on-going commitment to trust as a trust foundation for your systems work has been written by Parker J. Palmer. His work on Circle of Trust can be found on the Center for Courage and Renewal website.
4 Levels of Listening
Generative conversations are conversations that generate shared meaning and lead to action. They involve an authentic exchange, leading to the emergence of new knowledge or understanding that could not have been created individually. Supporting the development of honest emotional expression, trust, empathy and collective commitment is a complex practice that requires time.
It also requires that we develop capabilities that allow us to listen intently and with an open mind and heart.
Levels of Listening
The levels of listening is one tool from Otto Scharmer’s work outlined in “Theory U” which you can find in the conceptual ideas page on this website. The levels of listening tool is a valuable framework for conceptualizing how you can progress to more intentional listening and therefore more generative conversations. As you progress through the levels of listening, the process deepens, is increasingly relational, and finally supports generative conversation at Level 4. The levels themselves are descriptive - there is not assumption that every conversation should be at Level 4. But to do influential systems approaches, building the trust and capability of all involved to move toward Level 4 is important.
Level 1: Downloading. At this level, the individual is only listening for “what they want to hear”, based on old habits. They are selecting data based on their experience and assumptions and filtering information to reconfirm old opinions and ideas.
Level 2: Factual. At this level, the individual is able to open their mind, truly listen and accept information that may not align with their existing experiences and assumptions. When listening at this level, the individual can disconfirm data and accept new ideas
Level 3: Empathic. At this level, the individual is able to create am empathic connection and see through another’s eyes. This is sometimes referred to as perspective taking.
Level 4: Generative. It is at this level, that generative conversations emerge. Individuals are able to “listen together”, to hear new possibilities and emerge ideas for collective action.
Source: Presencing Institute, Otto Scharmer
Presencing Institute (MIT): https://www.presencing.org/
Scharmer, O. (2018). The Essential of Theory U: Core Principles and Applications. Berret-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
Collective Visioning
Like the personal visioning exercise, a process of building shared aspiration/or vision amongst our collective is essential.
This aspiration guides collective planning, and is grounded on a foundation of personal visions and aspirations. Too often, we engage in processes that force participants to create one vision for all. Necessarily this vision is so high level it becomes meaningless.
The CSL approach is built on the idea that integrating personal aspirations enriches the collective vision with passion and diversity.
Steps in Facilitating a Shared Aspiration
The first step is a guided visualization towards each individual’s aspiration as it relates to the intended impact of the change efforts. Participants begin by closing their eyes and envisioning how they would like things to be for children and families in their context.
Guided inquiry questions for this process can include:
What are you doing within the system you visualize?
Who are you working with?
What are your colleagues doing?
What are your relationships like? How often do you see other people and in what context?
What do you discuss?
What are you doing the same as now and what are you doing differently? What have you stopped doing?
Following the visualization, each person takes time with their journal to write and reflect on the process. We then have people get into groups of two or three to share the key aspects of their aspiration.
Next participants are asked to record on different coloured stickies things that they are doing – what they have continued to do, what they have stopped doing and what they have started doing. These stickies are placed together on a large flip chart and each person shares with the entire group.
Through the sharing common themes emerge and the shared aspiration begins to take shape.