Foundations for System Leadership & Awareness-Based Systems Change

Tuesday December 1 to Friday December 4, 2020 8:30am to 1pm US Pacific Time

A Time of Reckoning and Creating Theheartbeatforallgenuinesystemschangeisdeepeningcommunitywitheachotherandwithnature-toimprove,transform,andhealatalllevelsourrelationshipwithself,‘other’andthelargersystemsandorganizationsthatshapeourreality.Thesedesiresareespeciallymeaningfulintimeslikethepresentwhereweconfrontinghistoricstructuresofseparationandexploitationsuchassystemicracismandthedestructionofspeciesandecosystemswithwhomwesharetheearth.Facingtheserealitiesashonestlyaswecan,howdowetransformtolivinginwaysthatbringoutthebestinusratherthantheworse?Howdowehelpshapenewinstitutionsandsystemsthatembodythisinthecontextofdominantinstitutionsthatexisttomaintainthestatusquo?Howdowe‘hold’theemotionsoffear,angerandseparationthatweallexperienceinsuchworkwithoutbeingtakenoverbythem?Noneofthiswilloccurquickly,forourcurrentwaysoflivinghavebeenshapedovercenturies.Butwebelievetherearetools,processesandguidingprinciplesthatcanhelp. What is Awareness-Based Systems Change and System Leadership? Thesystemsofcommerce,educationandgovernancethatarecausingsuffering,painandexclusiontodayarenot“broken,”andtheydonotneed“fixing”likeabrokenmachine.Theyareworkingastheyarebecauseofhowwework,andtheywillnotshiftuntilenoughofusstarttothink,actandinteractdifferently.Awareness-basedsystemschangestartsfromthepremisethathoweachofus“showsup”shapeswhatandhowwecancontribute.Suchchangerequiresdeepeningawarenessofbothourinnerandouterreality.Theinnerworkinvolvesdeep shiftsinmentalmodels,habitual,taken-for-grantedwaysofthinking,feelingandacting.Theouterworkinvolvesshiftsintheartifactsthatshapethemanifestcharacterofsystems:formalstructures,metricsandperformancemanagement,goalsandpolicies.Thetwo-mentalmodelsandartifacts-areentwinedinthehistoricalevolutionofthesystemsthatshapetoday’sworld,andwebelieveneithercanchangeoverthelongtermwithouttheother.Systemleadersareindividualswhofostercollaborationforsystemschange,influencingrelationalfieldsthatfosterdeeplistening,trust,andsharedunderstandingandvision.Webelievethatgrowingcommunitiesofsystemleaderswhoembodygreaterpersonalawareness,compassion,understanding,andwisdomisfoundationaltothechangesnowpossible. Workshop PurposeThepurposeoftheFoundationsWorkshopistocatalyzeadeeplearningprocesswherebyeachofusconnectsmoredirectlywithourinnatesystemleadershipcapacityanddiscernsmoreclearlyourowndevelopmentalpaths.Thisintensive,interactive,four-dayprogramisbasedontheleadershipdevelopmentprocessdescribedoriginallyinTheFifthDisciplinebyPeterSenge,identifiedasaseminalmanagementbookbyHarvardBusinessReview,theFinancialTimesandmanyothers,andelaboratedinmanysubsequentpublications,including“TheDawnofSystemLeadership”co-authoredwithJohnKaniaandHalHamiltoninStanfordSocialInnovationReview(2016).Inourview,the essenceofleadershipisexpandingthecapacityofahumancommunitytoshapeitsfuture.Thisgoesbeyondreactingtoproblemstounderstandingtheforcesthatshapethoseproblemsandwhatisrequiredtoshiftthoseforces,overtimenurturingadeepsenseofefficacyandcreativecapacity.Suchleadershipcannotdevelopthroughtalkingaboutitbutonlythroughdoing,andthiswillbereflectedinthehands-onstyleoftheworkshop.Therewillbespecialattentionpaidtothedomainsofpersonalvisionandpersonalmastery,reflectiononunderlyingmentalmodels,andsystemsthinkingandsystemssensingasunderpinningsforunderstandingcomplexity-andtheroleofcommunityasthenaturalvehiclefornurturingsuchcapacitiesovertime.

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“Systemstransformationisaninsidejob.”PeterSenge

Workshop Objectives

• Learnandpracticecoredisciplinesofsystemleadership• Understandhowunderlyingsystemicstructuresshapebehaviorandwhatitmeanstoworkcollaborativelyto

shiftthosestructures• Developavisionforyourself,organizationandcommunity• Nurturereflectiveconversationsthatpromotelearningandcollaboration• Contributetothedevelopmentofalearningcommunitythatcansustainthisworkovertime• Gainincreasedawarenessandappreciationofourownmentalmodels,howtheyreflectthesystemsweliveand

workinandwhatittakestobeopentoseeingtheminaction.• Practicewithasetoftoolsthatyoucantakebackintoyourcommunityororganization

Hub Design Weareorganizingtheworkshoparoundgeographic‘hubs’tobuildmorelocallyconnectedcommunitiescommittedtosustainingthework.ThehubsincludedinthisinitialFoundationsworkshopare:Colorado(Boulder,Denver,FortCollins),Nashville,Tennessee;Portland,Oregon;LaPaz,andMonterrey,Mexico;andKarachi,Pakistan.EachHubwillhaveatleastone‘Host’whoisamemberoftheAcademycommunityandskilledinthepracticesandframeworksthatwillbeintroducedduringtheworkshop.Hostswillcreateadditionalopportunitiesforinteractionleadingupto,during,andaftertheworkshop. Timing Sessionswillbegineachdayat8:30amPacific/11:30amEasternandendat1pmPT/4pmET,andwillincludeworkingbreakoutsroomsandmultiplebreaks.TheZoomlinkswillbesenttheweekpriortotheworkshop. Participation Fee Corporate: $1,000(Teamsof3ormore=20%discount)Independent: $800Non-Profit: $650(Teamsof3ormore=20%discount)Scholarshipsavailablebasedonneed.Registration Link https://soled.wufoo.com/forms/pgyzcud04hjjecUponregistering,yourHubHostswillscheduleanenrollmentcallwitheachparticipanttoansweranyquestions,tobetterunderstandyourlearningobjectives,andtoshareabitmoreofwhattoexpect.RegistrationclosesNovember17,2020.Contact Information Foranyoutstandingquestions,orifyoufeelthisisalignedwithyourlearninggoalsbutyouareunabletoaffordorattendthissession,pleasecontactusatfoundations@academyforchange.org.

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Hub Hosts ArmandoEstrada–Monterrey,Mexico.Armandoisco-founderandcurrentExecutiveDirectorofViaEducación,anorganizationbasedinMexicothatseekstogenerateopportunitiesforsustainablesocialdevelopmentthroughthedesign,implementationandevaluationofeducationalinitiatives.Inthelast15years,VíaEducaciónhasworkedalongwithstudents,neighbors,teachers,youth,families,publiclibraries,localandnationalauthoritiesandbusinessesseekingtounleashtheirpotentialtotransformtheircommunitiesthroughdemocraticskillsdevelopment,violenceprevention,qualityeducationimprovement,citizenparticipation,andmore.ArmandobecameanAshokaFellowin2013,aninternationalnetworkofsocialentrepreneursandheispartoftheadvisoryboardfortheCivilSocietySectorattheFederalDepartmentforSocialWellbeing.HelivesinMonterrey,MéxicowithhiswifeMarialiCárdenasandtheirtwochildren,JuanPabloandMaríaIsabel.EmanuelGarzaFishburn-Monterrey,Mexico.EmanuelisthePresidentofUniversidadCarolinaandaneducatorwithspecialinterestinthefieldsofeducationfordemocraticcitizenship,corporatesocialresponsibility,andinparticipatoryapproachestopovertyreductionandcommunitydevelopment.Emanuelhasdedicatedhimselftoco-creatingorganizationsthatfostereducationalopportunityandcivicengagementinMexico,includingUniversidadCarolina,HarmonySchoolandViaEducation,amongotherefforts.InthefieldofCorporateCitizenship,EmanuelhasservedasExecutiveDirectorofXignuxFoundationandhasalsobeeninvolvedinsettingupandlaunchingtheSumaRSEbusinessnetworks,bothintheStatesofNuevoLeonandCoahuila,Mexico.EmanuelobtainedhisLawdegreeattheTecnologicodeMonterreyandhismaster’sdegreeinInternationalEducationPolicyatHarvardUniversity.Emanuel,whoisalsoaSeniorFellowatSynergosInstitute,ishappilymarriedtoAnaCeliaAguirre,hasfourchildrenandcurrentlylivesinSaltillo,Mexico.LilianaGutiérrezMariscal–LaPaz,BajaCaliforniaSur,Mexico-Lilianahasspentover12yearsinthefieldofSustainabilityintheGulfofCaliforniaandNorthwestofMexico.Shehasexperienceinhighlycomplexmulti-sectorialprocessesandhasreceivedtrainingfromtheCentrodeColaboraciónCívica(CivicCollaborationCenter)inConflictResolution,Facilitation,MediationandEffectiveCommunicationandfromtheSocietyofOrganizationalLearninginOrganizationalLearning,LeadershipandGenerativeDialogue.SheistheformerExecutiveDirectorofthenonprofitNoroesteSustentableandhasco-foundedAchamar,afor-profitorganizationdesignedtoinvestinnfisheriesandcommunitiesrestoration.LilianaistheproudmotherofEmilianoandMaríaandhappywifeofRoberto.ThefourofthemtakecareofabeautifulWeimaranercalledLucas.

AnthonyJohnson-Nashville,Tennessee.Anthonybelievesprovidingaccesstoopportunitiesdesignedtoproduceequityisthemostefficientwaytoaddresstheadversecumulativeeffectsofdisparity.Anthonyisaconsultantworkingwithcommunitiestodisruptinequitableinstitutionalpracticesandculturalpatterns.Heisalsonurturing,coachingandmentoringyoungpeopletocreateanetworkofindividualswiththeskillsanddedicationtoresistthebalkanizationofsocietalissues.Anthonyisveryskilledinfacilitatingandleadingthoughtfulandengagingdialoguesaboutrace,diversity,privilegeandinclusiveness,certifiedasanexpertinServiceLearning,agraduateoftheSocialJusticeTrainingInstitute,qualifiedasapersonalsuccessTrueColorsfacilitatorandaTechnologyofParticipation(ToP)Facilitator.HehasaBachelor’sofScienceandMaster’sofEngineeringinMechanicalEngineeringfromTennesseeStateUniversity,aMaster’sofArtsDegreeinCivicLeadershipfromLipscombUniversity,aJurisDoctoratefromHowardUniversitySchoolofLawandisamemberoftheWisconsinStateBar.KimKita–Colorado.KimopenedandnowleadsColoradoStateUniversity’s(CSU)internationaleducationalCenterinTodosSantos,BajaCaliforniaSur,Mexico.Kim’sfellowshipintheAcademyforSystemsChangeandtrainingthroughtheNaropaUniversityAuthenticLeadershipprogramcrystalizemanyyearsofformaleducationandvariedworkexperiences.Kimusesawareness-basedsystemsthinkingandparticipatorymethodstobringtogethervariouspointsofview,tobuildbridgesforpeopletolearnfromoneanotherandaboutthemselves,andtousethiscollectivewisdomtoinformbusinessdecisions.LeeShainis–Colorado.LeeisdedicatedtofulfillthepotentialofadultEnglishclassestoimproveourabilitytotalktoeachotherANDcreateculturalexchangesthatbuildperspective,friendship,andunlockstrengthsofmulticulturalcommunities.Leeco-foundedIntercambio,anindependentnonprofit,in2001.Intercambiohascreatedaccessfor5,000volunteerstobecomegreatEnglishteachersinBoulderCounty,whichhasopeneddoorsfor10,000adultimmigrantsfrom60+countriestotakeeffectiveone-on-oneandgroupEnglishclasses.Leetrainseducatorsand

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administratorsaroundEnglishacquisition,communityengagement,andprogramsustainability.LeeauthoredtheImmigrantGuide,atoolusedby250,000immigrantstolearnaboutlaws,systems,andcultureintheU.S.Locallyhefacilitatesculturalfluencytrainingsforschools,lawenforcementandnonprofits,aswellasfunmulticulturaldanceexerciseclassesandbigcampingtrips!HelivesinBoulderwithhiswifeMarcelaandtheirsonsValentinoandMateo.

KanwerSaeed–Karachi,Pakistan.Kanwerisapassionateindividualwhothrivesonbuildingcommunitiesandimpactinglives.Hedesignsinterventionsthatguidepeopleintoprofoundself-discovery,allowingthemtorealizeandconnectwiththeirtruesenseofpurpose.Hebelievesinbuildingcommunitiesaroundtheprinciplesofvulnerability,authenticityandempathy.KanweristhefounderandCEOofAscendConsulting,andthefounderofTheJaulianProject.HeisafellowattheAcademyforSystemsChangeandisservingasanAffiliateAdvisoratAberkyn.HeisalsoamemberoftheJuryofCFASocietyofPakistanforgenderinclusion.Earlierinhisjourney,Kanwerheadedpeoplemanagementfunctionsfor18+yearsinleadingcompaniesaroundtheworld.Hispersonalmissionrevolvesaroundmakingadifferenceinothers’livesandempoweringthemthroughprofessionalandemotionalgrowth.OtherthanhisworkatAscendandTheJaulianProject,heiskeenlyinterestedindigitalplatformsandhasrecentlyincubatedfuturefocuseddigitalprogramssuchasNOMADandKamayi. Facilitators PeterSenge,hasbeenattheforefrontoforganizationallearning,leadershipdevelopmentandsystemschangesincehisclassictextTheFifthDisciplinein1990andhasbeeninvolvedinfoundingorganizationsandnetworkstoadvancetheory,methodandpracticeliketheSocietyforOrganizationalLearning(SoL),theAcademyforSystemsChange,andthenewCenterforSystemsAwareness.Hisworkcentersonpromotingsharedunderstandingofcomplexissuesandsharedleadershipforhealthierhumansystemsandincludesmajorinitiativesfocusedonglobalfoodsystems,climatechangeandthefutureofeducation.TheFifthDiscipline(overtwomillioncopiessold)wasrecognizedbytheFinancialTimesasoneoffive“mostimportant”managementbooksandbyHarvardBusinessReviewasestablishingthelearningorganizationas“oneoftheseminalideasofthelast75years.”Heisalsoco-authorofthreerelatedfieldbooks,PresenceandTheNecessaryRevolution.TheJournalofBusinessStrategynamedhimoneofthe24peoplewhohadthegreatestinfluenceonbusinessstrategyinthe20thcenturyandtheSchwabFoundationaGlobalThoughtLeaderforSocialInnovationin2019.Affiliations:J-WEL(WorldEducationLab)andSloanSchoolofManagement,MIT.DarcyWinslowisPresident,FounderandFacultyoftheAcademyforSystemsChange.DarcyworkedatNike,Inc.forover20yearsholdingnumerousseniormanagementpositionswithinthebusinessandtheNikeFoundation,includingcreatingtheSustainableBusinessStrategiesdivisionin1999,SeniorAdvisortotheNikeFoundationandasGeneralManagerforNike’sGlobalWomen’sFootwear,ApparelandEquipmentbusiness.In2008,DarcyfoundedDSWCollective,LLC,focusingonthealignmentoforganizationalvaluesandprincipleswiththedevelopmentandimplementationofpracticalyetaggressivesystemicsustainabledesignstrategies.TheCollectiveconsistsofexperiencedpractitionersinsustainability,businessstrategy,leadership,facilitation,organizationaldevelopment,changemanagement,systemdynamics,andculture.RobertHanigisafoundingmemberoftheAcademyforSystemsChange,afoundingmemberoftheSocietyforOrganizationalLearning(solonline.org),andthefounderofRLHConsulting.HewasformerlyaVicePresidentatArthurD.Little(ADL),whereheledtheGlobalLeadershipPractice.AtADL,Robertdirectedboththecompanies’publictrainingofferingsandin-houseprogramsforclientsfocusedonLeadershipDevelopmentandLargeSystemChange.Mr.HanighaswrittenvariousarticlesaswellascontributedcasestudiesforbookssuchasTheDanceofChange.HisarticleintheJune,2005issueofHarvardBusinessReviewdescribeshiskeycontributiontoFirstLevelLeaders,agloballeadershipandchangeinitiativeatBP.HehasconsultedwithcompaniesthroughoutNorthAmerica,Europe,theCaribbean,Africa,Asia,Australia,NewZealand,andtheMiddleEastinareasincludingleadership,organizationallearningandchange,collectiveimpactandinnovation.

TheAcademyforSystemsChangeisanonprofitorganizationfoundedtoadvancethefieldofawareness-basedsystemschangeinordertoaccelerateecological,social,andeconomicwell-being.

www.academyforchange.org.