Download pdf - AoC Learning Report Report.pdfIntroductory Art of Convening Training Learning Report Introduction The following is the Learning Report for the Introductory Art of Convening Training

©2017 Center for Purposeful Leadership

Introductory Art of Convening

Learning Report

Virtual Training

Prepared for

M.W., CEO

©2017CenterforPurposefulLeadership|Minneapolis,MN|612.920.3039|www.centerfpl.com

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2017CenterforPurposefulLeadership(CPL)wascommissionedbyM.W.,CEOofaUSbasedmediacompanywithaffiliatesaroundtheglobe,inOctober2016todelivertwoArtofConveningTrainingsfor24staffandassociates.Thesetwogroupsincludedexecutivemembers,directors,managers,production,securityandadministrativestaff. Overtheensuingthreemonths,trainingandcoachingsessionswereconductedtobuildcapacitiesforconveningandgrouptrust.Belowisanoutlineoftheseinitiatives:

• November2016:LaunchArtofConveningTrainingGroup1• November2016:LaunchArtofConveningTrainingGroup2• December2016:ConductindividualcoachingforGroup1• December2016-January2017:ConductindividualcoachingforGroup2

Together,theparticipantsestablishedanintermediaryknowledgeofConveningandrepetitivelyapplytheirnewfoundskillsinasupportivelearningenvironment.WiththeconclusionofthetwoArtofConveningtrainings,CPLispleasedtopresentthefollowingLearningReport.

Sincerely,

RachelHarris CraigNealLearningReportAuthor LeadTrainerandConvenerDirectorofStrategyandCommunications ArtofConveningCo-AuthorCenterforPurposefulLeadership Co-Founder CenterforPurposefulLeadership


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TableofContents

Introduction.......................................................................................................................3Table1:ClientObjectivesandExpectationsforTraining...................................................3

I.TrainingArchitecture.......................................................................................................3ParticipantHours............................................................................................................4MaximizingEngagementviaLearningModalities............................................................4Table2:LearningModalities..............................................................................................4

II.ParticipantEmbodimentofConvening...........................................................................5Image1:Group1DescriptionofConvening......................................................................5Image2:Group2DescriptionofConvening......................................................................6

III.CoachingLearnings........................................................................................................6Table3:CommonQuestionsfromIndividualCoaching.....................................................7

IV.CourseTakeaways.........................................................................................................7ParticipantFeedback......................................................................................................7KeyLearningsfromtheCourse–Group1.........................................................................7HowParticipantsPlantoImplementtheTraining-Group1.............................................8KeyLearningsfromtheCourse–Group2.........................................................................9HowParticipantsPlantoImplementtheTraining-Group2...........................................10

V.SummaryandRecommendations.................................................................................10AdvancingConvening:Recommendations.....................................................................11


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Introductory Art of Convening Training Learning Report

IntroductionThefollowingistheLearningReportfortheIntroductoryArtofConveningTraining-Virtual.M.W.,CEO,(TheClient)contractedwithCPLinOctober2016todelivertwoArtofConveningTrainingsfor24staffandassociates.IncludedhereinistheTrainingArchitecture,ParticipantEmbodiment of Convening, Coaching Learnings, Course Survey, and Summary andRecommendations.Prior to the course commencing, lead trainer andArt of Convening authorMr. CraigNealinvitedM.W.toestablishasetofobjectivesandexpectations.Thefollowinglistencompassesasummaryofherleadershipgoalsforthedynamicgroupof24participants.

Table 1: Client Objectives and Expectations for Training

TrainingObjectivesandExpectationsfor24Participants1. Connectwitheachother2. Slowdowntheconversationandself-reflect3. Practicebeingflexible4. Stepoutofthesilomindset5. Ownsuccesses–andsetbacks–asateam6. Experienceabilitytocollaborateandrepeat7. Feelempoweredinasafeenvironment8. Buildtrustamongteammembers9. Createauthenticvoiceandfeelheard10. Enhanceabilitytorelate–leaveothersfeelingenlivened

WhiledebriefingontheArtofConveningIntroductoryTrainingwithMr.Neal,M.W.statedthatall10oftheObjectivesandExpectationshavebeenmetandexceededmanytimesover.

I. Training Architecture The Art of Convening delivers a practical step-by-stepmethodology for transforming anymeetingoreventfromordinarytoinnovative,andlaysafoundationforcollaboration.Morethanasetofmeetingtechniques,aconvenedmeetingenhancesandmaximizesorganizationalperformancebystrengtheningrelationships,collaboration,accountabilityandcommitmenttoensurelastingoutcomeswithintheorganizationandwithstakeholders.


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AsacertifiedArtofConvening(AoC)trainer,M.W.co-convenedallfourteenvideoplatformsessionsforbothGroup1andGroup2withMr.Neal.M.W.’sleadershipimbuedagenerativepresence and contributed to creating a safe space for participants to practice conveningmethodologiesandemergeasconveners.

Participant Hours By using the following model, each participant partook in the 32.5-hour comprehensivetrainingforauthenticengagementmeetingprocesses.

• SevenvideoconferencesessionsmaximizedtheexperienceofConveningprinciplesandpracticesformeetingsandengagementin14.0hoursofZoomvideoconferencesessions.

• CPL coaches provided individualized convening and collaboration coaching for 0.5hoursperperson.

• In12.0hoursofhomework,participantsreadtheArtofConveningbook, journaledreflectivequestionsandpreparedaCaseStudytosharewithinthegroup.

• Participantsworkedtogetherin6.0+hoursofpartnermeetingstodeepentheArtofConveningmethodsfollowingeachZoomsession.Participantsdevelopedbasicpeercoachingskillsthroughthesepaired-partnermeetings.

Recognizingthateachparticipantlearnsthroughvariedmeans,theArtofConveningtrainingisdesignedtomaximizeengagementineachlearningmodality.

Maximizing Engagement via Learning Modalities For the individual benefit of participants, the training implemented the following visual,auditoryandexperientiallearningformats.

Table 2: Learning Modalities

Format Visual Auditory ExperientialAttendZoomsessions

WithConvenerMr.NealandCo-convenerM.W.

X X X

ReadArtofConveningbookJournaltheBookchapterquestions

X X

ReadweeklyArtofConveningblogarticles X CompletebloghomeworkforSessions1-7 X XParticipateinone-on-onecoaching X X XEngagewithpartnerpairmemberforweeklycalls X XDevelopCaseStudyandreporttocohort XView/Reviewvideosessionrecordingstoenhancelearningorforself-coaching

X X X


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Eachparticipant learned,appliedanddemonstratedconveningandcollaborationmethodsthroughsevensessions,homeworkandpeerlearning.Theoutstandingresultsofbothgroup’scollectiveeffortsareshownbelow.Theimagesrepresentcommentscapturedbyparticipantsduringthefinalvideoconferencesession.

II. Participant Embodiment of Convening Participants applied several convening and collaboration meeting planning techniques insession activities, homework and peer learning. Each participant demonstrated thattheyfoundseveralvaluablecomponentsinthetraining,mostofall,perhaps,wasthesenseoftrustthatwasbeingbuiltamongmembersinthetrainingcourse.

InthefinalArtofConveningTrainingsessionparticipantsreflectedontheirexperienceinthetraining.Theywereasked,"Whenyouthinkofconvening,whatarethreewordsthatcometomind?"Theresultsareshownbelowinwordclouds.Thevalueofthesesimplewordcloudvisualizationsisthatthesizeofthewordrepresentsthefrequencyofaresponse.TheGroup 1members respondedon Tuesday, February 7,with the followingwords theywouldusetodescribeconvening.Image 1: Group 1 Description of Convening

Group1notedthat“inclusive”mostrepresentedtheirteamoftwelvepeople.Participantsbuiltrelationships,sharedgratitudeandexperiencedclaritywithintheArtofConvening:9


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StepstoCollaborationtraining.TheynotedtheZoomsessionsprovidedasupportivestructuretolearnnewwaysofrelatingandholdingconversations.Additionally,theGroup2membersrespondedonTuesday,February14,withthefollowingwordsthattheywouldusetodescribeconvening.Image 2: Group 2 Description of Convening

Image2demonstratestheoutcomesofGroup1andGroup2differwith“listening”beingthemostmentionedoutcome.WithinGroup2,participantscontributedtoacollectivehumanityandfocusedonrebuildingrelationships.Participantsshowedupcourageouslyforthistraining,beingvulnerableandsharingtheirauthenticself.Thisresultedinasenseoftogetherness.

CPLlooksforwardtobeingaresourceforgraduatesoftheArtofConveningTraininginthecomingweeksandmonths.Thereareopportunitiestoencourageparticipantsintheirongoingeffortsofstrengtheningcapacitiesforcollaborationandconnectedness.

III. Coaching Learnings Each learner in theArt of Convening: 9 Steps to Collaboration cohort received a 0.5-hourprivate coaching session from CPL coaches Craig Neal, Patricia Neal and Rachel Harris.Coaching calls supported each cohortmember’s ability to achieve desired results as theydevelopedtheirindividualCaseStudymeetingdesign.


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Inspeakingwithall24participants,CPLstaffobservedrecurringquestions.Themostcommonquestionsarelistedbelow.

Table 3: Common Questions from Individual Coaching

CommonCoachingQuestions• HowdoIuseconveningwithmyteam?• HowdoImaximizetheengagementofeveryoneinthemeeting?• HowdoIdealwithapersonwhohastheirownagenda,ortriestoderailtheteam?• How do I design and convene meetings that stay on topic and achieve stated

objectives?• HowdoIparticipateusingconveningskillsifIamnotleadingthemeeting?• How can I create a more personal, relational, and transactional, mood in my

meetings?ThesecommonquestionsaresharedtoprovidedirectionandguidancetotheClientforfuturelearningopportunitieswithinGroup1andGroup2.

IV. Course Takeaways TheArtofConveningtrainingutilizedaPre-courseSurveyandaCourseCompletionSurveytoqualitativelymeasurecapacities for listening,communicating, leadingmeetings, relatingtopeople,collaborating,buildingtrustandworkingwitheachother.In little more than three months, participants already noticed improvements in theirconveningcapacities.Theobjectiveofthesurveywastomeasureconveningcompetencies.TheCourseCompletionSurveycontainedopen-endedqualitativequestionsfocusingonkeylearningsandcommitmentsforpracticingconvening.

Participant Feedback

Participantswereaskedtoreflectonthekeylearningsofthecourseandhowtheyplantoimplementthewhattheyhavelearned.BelowisacompletelistoftheresponsesforGroup1andGroup2.

Key Learnings from the Course – Group 1

Whatareyourkeylearningsfromthecourse?

• Importanceofprogression,inclusion,commitment,reachingtheheartandsouloftheperson

• Meaningfulconveningislikebreathing.Youdon’trealizehowimportantitisuntilyoufocusonit.


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• FeltempoweredbydoingtheCaseStudy.Empowersmeandteam.Tospeakupandbeheardispowerful.

• Valueofhavingastructure,focusingmoreonthepeople,notjusttheproject.People-centric.Ifyoufocusonthepeopleandtheirengagement,theprojecthasmorechanceofsuccess.

• Asenseoftherealjoyandpleasureinattemptinginsmallwaystocareforothersaswe’retryingtodothingstogether.Howpreciouseveryoneis.It’sgoodtobegentlewithothers,andgentlewithmyself.Myownself-consciousnessgetsinthewayofhowI’dlovetoservetheteam.Ifelttheimpactinmyworkoutsideofthisgroup.I’vediscoveredinanewwaythatthinkingtogetherisagoodthing.

• Openmind,openmyheart.• Lotofprofessionaltraininghasseemedlikeindoctrination.Thishasbeentheonly

realcompletetraining.• Thefocusontheheart:firstonyourself,andthentheheartofwhatthismeetingis

about.Trytounderstandandputsomeconsciousnesstowardsit.Theprocessandallitssteps.Whatisunique:thesafety,caringandinclusion.Youcantalkaboutprocessallyouwantbutifpeoplearecoweringinthecorner,thenwhatislost?

• Wheneverweconnectwiththeessentialnatureofthehumanbeing,wefeellove,community.Incredibletofeelthatwiththisteam.Anincrediblefoundation.Theheartofthematterhasresonatedsodeeply.Reallypowerful.Suchaclarifyingprocess.

• Ibecameawarehowoutstandingtheteamisincommitmentandpassion.Howessentiallyimportantitistoacknowledgeeachperson.

• Thismethodworks.Conveningisanart.Itispossible.Ifeelunity,respect,goodcommunicationispossible.

How Participants Plan to Implement the Training - Group 1

Whatcommitmentareyouwillingtomakeinthenextweekforyourconveningpractice?

• TocontinuetoconsciouslyputAOClearningsintopracticeandlistenforsuccessineachindividual.

• Treatmeetingswithreverence.• ContinueduseofConveningWheel,strivingforcontinuousimprovement.• Continuetousethetools.• UsetheclarityI’vegainedtogrowandsucceed.• Keeponlearning.Ihaveaffectionforallofyou.• Learnmore,implement.• Usethetools,utilizethem.• Deepenmyunderstanding.ProceedwithConveningWheel.• InvestintherelationshipsIvaluemost.• Betruetomyself.Beavailabletotheteam.Usethetrainingeveryday.


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Key Learnings from the Course – Group 2

Whatareyourkeylearningsfromthecourse?

• I’velearnedthatfullparticipationishowI’mgoingtobringvalue.• Theimportanceofrelationshipsissovalue.Importantformetofindthecourageto

askforwisdomandreflectiontoinitiatethoseessentialconversations.Thisisreallyanaturalprocess.It’snotforeign.

• Takingthecouragetobewithyouthesepastmonths,Irealizeditwassonatural.• Tobepartofcreatinganewnormal.FeltI’vebeenpartofateam,wiseand

inspirational.Idon’tworkwithanyofyousoitisgood.I’vegainedsomuchbybeingapartofthisteam.It’sbeenenrichingoneverylevel.

• TorememberinmyhearteverythingI’vegained.Takeitforwardintonewsituations.• UnderstandingtheleveloftrustandconnectionIfeelwitheachofyou.• Respectforthepeopleonthecall.Thecallshavebeenreallysomething.Thelast2calls

drewmein.Igavethemmyfullattentionandstayedhometobeonthevideo.• Thepracticeisimportant.Seeingthetoolsinactionispowerful.Tremendous

opportunitytobreakthroughwhichwillbepositiveandbringalotofcreativity.Gratefultobeinvolved.

• Everyonehassomuchtooffer.I’minaweofallweeachhavetooffer.• ThiscoursevastlyimprovedwhatIthoughtIalreadyknew.Thankstomypartner

pair.• Appreciatedtheuniqueperspectivefromeveryonehere.Toberemindedthateven

when a meeting seems daunting, these things can be fun. There is always theopportunitytochangethegame.

• Keymoment:whenIdidthemeetingwithmyteam.Drasticdifferencetousethemeetingtool.Createafocusedenvironment.Hearallthevoices.Well-structuredwhereeveryonefeelsrespectandsupported.

• Slowdown,implementsomeofthisintoeverythingIdo.• AfreshperspectiveonhowConveningsetsthetoneandcreatestheframeorspace

for better interactions, leading to better outcomes and more inclusion andcooperation.

• This[AoCcourse]beingimplementedissomethingeveryoneneeded.Likeinatherapygroupwelearnedtobenicetoeachotherandknowwe’reonthesameteam.

• BesidesalloftheskillsthatIhavepersonallyfeltandfeeltohavebeenheightenedbytheAoCTrainingthatarealignedwithwhomIstrivetobeinbringingpeopletogetherandcreatingasafeandcomfortable"air"meetingMr.Nealhasrestoredsomefaithinmyviewofhumanityandisverywelcome!


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How Participants Plan to Implement the Training - Group 2

Whatcommitmentareyouwillingtomakeinthenextweekforyourconveningpractice?

• Befullypresent.Notmulti-tasking.Thiswilltakecouragetoimplement.Likehearingallthevoicesatabigmeeting.Creatingthecontainer.Thankyoutoeachpersonhere.

• Tokeeppracticingconvening.• Totrusttheconnectionandcontinue.Acasestudypresentationwasaboutfinding

personalstrengthandowningit.Thatwaspowerfulforme.• Continuetousethesepractices.Thecheck-insarepowerful.Maintainthehuman

connection.• UsethetoolstofindwaystoconveneineverythingIdo.Eachpersonissovaluable.

Youalwaysknowit,butseeingitisanahamoment:Irememberthatpersonhassomuchtooffer.

• KeepgoingonwiththesetoolsI’mbecomingmorefamiliarwith,listentopeople.Forexample,useStringingtheBeadstogiveeveryoneachancetohearallthevoices.Intheheatofthemoment,whenwe’reallgoingamileaminute,whatcanwedo?Whodowewanttobe?Todoastopandengageinconversationsthatneedtohappenandtrustthat.Thatismycommitment.

• Taketheofferfromtheteamleaderforfurthersupport.• Applythetoolswithmyteamtocreatefocusedmeetingsandgiveeveryoneachance

tobeheard,berespectedandbesupported.• Continuetodoconveningandapplyit.

These anonymous participant responses provide insights in the individual adoption,adaptation and embodiment of convening techniques. Each person has gained value inlearningmethodstocreatesafeandtrustingmeetingenvironmentsthatwillbenefitnotonlysmallteams,butalsothepeopletheyworkwith.All24participantswouldreaptherewardsof being able to access a teamof Convening Champions, peoplewho could be trained asinternalresourcesandprovidepeercoachingonArtofConvening:9StepstoCollaboration.

V. Summary and Recommendations Thefourteen-weektrainingenhancedthecapacityof24staffandassociateswhoareregularlyengaged in cross-cultural internal and external stakeholder relations. Additionally,participantsacceleratedtheirlearningviaM.W.’sadeptco-convening,courageousleadershipandthesupportiveculturesheengenders. Participants applied several convening and collaboration meeting planning techniquesthrough session activities, homework and peer learning.Upon reviewing outcomes of theTraining,participantscreatedhighimpactresultsinsevensessions.Theculminationofthe


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learningsfromtheTrainingscameduringSessions5-7,wheneachparticipantdeliveredtheirunique meeting case study to the group. Each presentation was followed by generativecritiquesandsupportgivenbythegroupusingtheCouncilProcess. Overall, participants distinguished how, why, when and with whom to use Conveningprinciples.Theylearnedthatinanysituationtheycanutilizeconveningprinciplestoengageexternal and internal staff, peers, direct reports and supervisors. By employing conveningskills,theybuilttrustandtransparency,therebyleadingtostrongerrelationships.Bydesign,bothgroupsbecamehighlycommittedtothetrainingandtoeachother.Althoughformed from various aspects of an international enterprise from geographically diverselocations,thegroupsformedindividualandcollectivebonds.Theydevelopedawillingnesstoenterintoauthenticcommunicationearlyinthetraining.Thisauthenticcommunicationonlydeepenedasthesessionsprogressed. Thesharingofthecasestudieswasespeciallynoticeableintheirobviousattentiontodetailand preparation. Following each presentation, the “Council Process” responses wereperceptive,generativeandsupportive.Thegroup’sdemonstrablerenewedrespectforoneanotheracceleratedtheembodimentofArtofConvening.Additionally,afterreconnectingasateam,thegroupmodeledleadershipandacceptance.

Advancing Convening: Recommendations Out of this training, the 24 participants developed abilities to connect, slow down theconversationandpracticebeingflexible.Additionally,theparticipantsfulfilledtheinitialtenTrainingObjectivesandExpectationssetforthasgoalsbyM.W..Relationally,workingwithMr.NealandtheCPLteamledtoseveraltransformativeresults.Thetrainingformatcreatedasafeenvironmentforparticipantstoemergewithanauthenticvoiceandfeelheard,beempoweredtocollaborate,ownsuccessesandset-backsasateamandbuildtrustamongoneanother.In thepast twentyyearsofworkingwithnationaland internationalorganizations,CPLhasobserved that participants may revert to former behavior and communication patternswithout the support of reinforcing activities. CPL has several options available to supportsustainabilityofthenewlydevelopedconveningandcollaborationskills.Our goal is to support the Client’s early successes with listening, inclusion, trust, teamcommitmentandcollaboration.Suggestednextsteps includeanadvancedtraining,a thirdGrouptraining,CouncilProcess,aretreatandanindividualcoachingpackage.


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CPL is pleased to present the following learning opportunities for advancing your teams’conveningandauthenticcommunicationcapacities.

A. ConveningCoach.Acoachingretainerofsix-monthdurationtosupportgraduateswithspecificareasoflearningandapplication.

a. Forallgraduates,offeringhourlysessionsupto15hoursmonthly

B. Group3ArtofConveningTraining.ThisofferingisthesametrainingthatGroup1andGroup2received.Although,Group3wouldbeco-convenedwithselectedgraduatesofearliertrainings.Toensureindividualizedattention,groupsizeislimited.

a. Forupto12peoplepergroup,7sessions

C. AdvancedArtofConveningTraining.ThistrainingisavailabletoselectanddiversegraduatesofIntroductoryArtofConveningtraining.Thiswouldbea“trainthetrainer”programdesignedtosupportadvancedlearnings,teachpeertopeercoachingskills,provideCouncilProcessTraining,andsupporttheAoCmethodwithintheClient’sbusinesscommunities.Toensureindividualizedattention,groupsizeislimited.

a. For8-10peoplepergroup,6sessions

D. CouncilProcessTraining.Thisspecializedtrainingcanbeofferedasastand-aloneprogram.(Note:ThecontentisincludedintheAdvancedTraining.)Learningsincludeadeepeninglevelofcommunicationsandtrainingintohowtouncoverandsupporttheadviceandwisdomofanygroupinaneffective,efficientandlastingway.Toensureindividualizedattention,groupsizeislimited.

a. For8-12people,6monthlysessions

E. RetreatforGraduatesofIntroductoryandAdvancedArtofConveningTraining.TakeadeeperdiveintotheArtofConvening.Comeawaywithcapacitiestopracticeconveninginanygivenmomentwithinanygroup.Yourenhancedself-awareness,authenticcommunication,andskilledconveningleadershipwillearnyouaCertificateinConvening.Toensureindividualizedattention,groupsizeislimited.

a. ForallArtofConveningGraduates,upto14people.3daysin-persontraininginLA.Retreatiscustomizable.

Ourcommitmentistoyoursuccess,sustainabilityandthriving.Wewelcomeyourreflectionsontheselearningopportunities.Pleasecontactusat612-920-3039withanyquestions.Welookforwardtobeingofservice.