with We are Open Circle Founders Miriam Jones and Adam Rumack
Change, transformation, and evolution depend on the tension between what is, and what will be; between our current state and our future state; between present reality and our hopes and visions for what could be.
This program focus on the psychological dynamics of groups in relationship to tension and conflict.
Tension creates the impetus for change, in individual and groups. Sometimes these tensions can be resolved with technical solutions.
Technical solutions fail when the tensions are interpersonal, ideological, and/or psychological. We call these more difficult tensions, "adaptive." They require deeper exploration and lead to systems change.
Applying technical solutions to adaptive tensions is like applying a band-aid to heal a chronic illness. It denies the underlying causes of the tension and misses a potential opportunity to greater systemic health, well-being, and potential.
In this training you will learn to:
Assess technical vs. adaptive tensions
Identify group and individual responses to tension
Cultivate pro-tension teams and groups
Facilitate the exploration of tension for creative solutions
Work with emotional tension in groups for to cultivate greater trust and group cohesion
Build confidence in leading through tension
Compassionately communicate blind spots (both positive and constructive) for group and individual empowerment
There are two components to this course:
Introduction to theories and concepts: this is 6 modules of online content - videos, keynotes and reflective exercises. This is a pre requisite to the Practicum and can be done online in your own time prior to the Practicum. It is around 4-6 hours of content exploration. There are also additional resources such as articles, podcasts and books to look at pre or post course. This course comes as part of registration and the content will be live on September 21st.
Practicum - This live online training has four 2.5 hour experiential learning sessions. Practicing and applying the foundational concepts for facilitating groups through conflict towards learning, creativity and and cultural transformation. Dates below:
Dates for Practicuum
October 4th, 8am - 10.30am PDT USA
October 6th, 8am - 10.30am PDT USA
October 13th, 8am - 10.30am PDT USA
October 18th, 8am - 10.30am PDT USA
Investment: $495
Payment plans are available. Please email info@weareopencircle.com for more information.
Inquire about not-for-profit discounts for those working full-time in non-profit or activism work.
A few testimonials about our training:
"As a leadership consultant and master coach with over 30 years experience, working all over the world and facilitating groups, teams, and circles, I had some trepidation about going into this unknown training as a participant. Would the workshop challenge me? Would it hone my understanding of power relations in facilitation? Would I learn something about myself? Would I develop new and useful skills? Would it embody a truly experiential, dialogical, improvisational and exploratory ethos? Would I find the workshop leaders mature, stimulating and inspiring? The answer to each of these questions was a resounding “YES!” Miriam and Adam held the space and danced between their different roles with alacrity and grace. I found them to be honest, kind, insightful leaders who brought finesse and depth to each moment of the work. I look forward to continuing the journey together.
~ Zora (Sara Boas), Master Coach and Consultant, MA, RDMP, MCC
"Adam and Miriam presented the online training course, "Turning Conflict into Creativity" with a comforting and commanding confidence of their shared knowledge and skills base. Their co-facilitation style is open, engaging and relatable and they provided ample space, structure, content and context to empower self-directed learning. The course continues to integrate and inform me of what’s possible now and that is exciting!"
~ Patricia Herreen, Wellbeing Business consultant