The Essential Explorations Method

All possible pasts

All possible futures

Present moment

1) The initial story: an overview of the situation

Is it a comedy, a tragedy, etc?

1) The initial story: an overview of the situation

Is it a comedy, a tragedy, etc?

2) Explaining the process: principles of change, what transformation entails, etc

3) Involve all members of the system in exploring salient perspectives of the system’s history: how did the system get where it is

What are other perspectives on the current status of the system?

Involve all members of the system in exploring hopes for the system’s future

2) Explaining the process: principles of change, what transformation entails, etc

3) Involve all members of the system in exploring salient perspectives of the system’s history: how did the system get where it is

What are other perspectives on the current status of the system?

Involve all members of the system in exploring hopes for the system’s future

4) Assessments as applicable

5) Generate Vision!Balancing idealistic reaching

for the clouds with “feet” grounded in reality

4) Assessments as applicable

5) Generate Vision!Balancing idealistic reaching

for the clouds with “feet” grounded in reality

6) Get clear on current reality and the identity of the system, going deeper than in step 3.

Exploration of: • self-awareness • integration• context-awareness • interdependence

6) Get clear on current reality and the identity of the system, going deeper than in step 3.

Exploration of: • self-awareness • integration• context-awareness • interdependence

7) Take stock of system’s current strengths and limitations

Assess gaps between current state

and the future state from the Vision

7) Take stock of system’s current strengths and limitations

Assess gaps between current state

and the future state from the Vision

8) Create a Strategic Plan!

Small goals towards the larger goal

Cultivate behaviors and qualities that will increase chances of meeting goals, such as: communication, openness to diverse opinions and ideas, connection, integration, autonomy, self-awareness, and context-awareness

8) Create a Strategic Plan!

Small goals towards the larger goal

Cultivate behaviors and qualities that will increase chances of meeting goals, such as: communication, openness to diverse opinions and ideas, connection, integration, autonomy, self-awareness, and context-awareness

9) Revisit the Strategic Plan and Vision:• Keep them at the forefront• Check to see if any adjustments need to be made along the way• Celebrate mini successes as sub-goals are reached!

10) Mourn the form that is getting left behind

And consider all the exciting opportunities for the future

10) Mourn the form that is getting left behind

And consider all the exciting opportunities for the future

11) Are there reasons to restructure? If so, maximize everyone’s abilities to use the skills and talents they bring to the table so they can continue to have meaningful contributions in the new structure.

9) Revisit the Strategic Plan and Vision:• Keep them at the forefront• Check to see if any adjustments need to be made along the way• Celebrate mini successes as sub-goals are reached!

11) Are there reasons to restructure? If so, maximize everyone’s abilities to use the skills and talents they bring to the table so they can continue to have meaningful contributions in the new structure.

12) Closing story: Status report at the end of consultant’s involvement

The Essential Explorations Method

All possible pasts

All possible futures

Present moment

12) Closing story: Status report at the end of consultant’s involvement