Leadership Development for organizations

All organizations go through change, whether impelled by internal or external forces.  Any change, whether consciously chosen or not, engenders fear, conflict and resistance from  stakeholders on every level of the organization.  Adaptive leadership (Heifetz et al) Adaptive leadership focuses on  differentiation and individuation- able to perceive patterns, willingness to risk intelligently, engage with the entire person, perceive both the larger picture (on the balcony and on the dance floor simultaneously) ability to be still, hold creative pause, work with allies, work with others, be fluid, flexible, accountable. 

Improvisational leadership allows for the development of a Yes/And embodied response to self and others.  We’re all highly skilled and practiced at critiquing, judging, and defining. We’re trained at saying “no” which constricts the flow of energy needed to move the system forward.  The “yes and” approach gives us the ability to respond to potentially stressful situations in a more relaxed, productive, and relationship-building way.  Improvisational exercises are modeled on Barbara Mettler’s work as well as Stephen Nachmanovitch’s book:  Free Play.

Based on these two theoretical frameworks, I offer retreats, workshops and follow up meetings for organizations undergoing change, from secular to religious institutions.  As a minister, I guided a growing congregation through change from a pastoral church to a program church.  As an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University’s’ Doctoral Leadership Studies, I utilized adaptive, improvisational, transformational leadership theories to marry theory with embodied practice.  As a consultant, I have offered retreats to a church board, staff and emerging leaders as they navigate growth in challenging times.  I continue to offer support.

I am available for small and large group workshops.