April 2018
Network Connections and Conversations…A “No Topic” Pop-Up Conversation
On April 25th we are holding a "No Topic" Pop-Up Conversation. These informal conversations are another opportunity to connect with and meet people in the Network, share your current thinking or work, learn something and experience the energy of having fun and thought provoking conversations. Invite your colleagues and friends to the conversation. Wednesday April 25, 2018 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm (Eastern) Join the conversation on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/168584337
Find out more »May 2018
Why REAL Dialogue is Generative (Plexus Pop-Up Conversation)
The "differences that make a difference" are often a combination of intentional design and emergent experience. Truly transformative learning has often been equated with high touch, in person, and small groups experiences, where people have an opportunity to spend time together in community and experience new ways of being together. How can this kind of experience be created and delivered online? This is the idea behind Sutra www.sutra.co, a platform that focuses on what the users experience is first and foremost. Dialogue based experiences that involve deep listening, presence, holding space, and a willingness to be vulnerable are at the
Find out more »Talking Back to Maslow: Nursing, Complexity and the Science of Compassion (Plexus Pop-Up Conversation)
Plexus Catalyst Mike Taylor, will share his emerging work on his original theory of the increasingly complex topic of nursing, health and healthcare in Talking Back to Maslow: Nursing, Complexity and the Science of Compassion. In this Pop-Up Taylor will discuss the complexity science basis of his theory and how a different view of current thinking and literature in the field will offer critical insights into new practices. Taylor will also cover an overview of complexity and health, the structure of the theory, implications for health services and social evolution, and potential problems and issues. You are invited to access this article
Find out more »Draw It Out – Visual Art of Communications
The curious art of visual communication + facilitation, a 2 day training on May 21 and 22, 2018, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm in Philadelphia, PA Explore your current challenges and opportunities in a powerfully different way with visual communication + facilitation. This workshop guides participants in building techniques for both seeing the big picture and each individual frame at the same time. Workshop guide, Amanda Lyons has created an immersive experience that builds new skills for integrating visual facilitation into your work environment for enhanced engagement and effectiveness. To register and for more information - visualsforchange.com/drawitout
Find out more »June 2018
Simple Rules for Relationship-Centered Leadership (Pop-Up Conversation)
Relationship-centered leadership can be thought of as focused on developing a culture of high empowerment, engagement, and intrinsic motivation. This aim is quite challenging given the complexity of the our organizations and the infinite diversity and messiness of human behavior. In this Pop-Up we will discuss three questions: How necessary and feasible is a set of simple rules for leaders to shape culture in their organizations? Have you seen examples of simple rules that have been effective? What do you see as the strengths and limitations of these rules? Would you be interested in a series of conversations to further
Find out more »Authority’s BIG Shift
Human systems have relied on patriarchy as an organizational construct. If we release or are forced to release authority how do we maintain enough structure and resiliency to support our most established systems’ changes in a generative and iterative process versus in a disruptive and extreme way? One of the biggest hurdles to understanding why patriarchy is so hard to influence is because most people are still looking for an authority to re-establish the “coherence and structures” that keep things moving smoothly. Increased engagements, knowledge and empowerment can only move the change process so far before it demands new “authority” to
Find out more »Adaptive Space Invites Disruption
Join Michael Arena (former Plexus Board Chair) for a conversation on his research and new book Adaptive Space, which reveals how companies are transforming themselves into responsive, agile organizations suited for the age of disruption by enabling individual employees to connect and create across networks—the best way for any company to unleash creative potential from within. The book highlights four key network roles—brokers, connectors, energizers and challengers—that all organizations need in order to enable “Adaptive Space.” These roles help to facilitate the movement of ideas and information across the firm, and therefore, enable the organization to positively disrupt itself. Organizations are faced with a critical choice: disrupt or be disrupted.
Find out more »August 2018
Widening the Circles Around Healthcare
Plexus Network members have deep roots in the broad field of healthcare — from seeking new insights into the delivery of healthcare, to developing effective practices to reduce infections, the topic of healthcare benefits from the rigor and creativity of complexity thinking. Catalyst Mike Taylor is launching a Project Circle for Healthcare, called “The Commons” where 21st-century health challenges can be evaluated and addressed through the practice of complexity thinking — breaking free of constraints inherent in traditional disciplines and professions. This initiative has the potential to engage large groups of people in a self-organized process that would improve global
Find out more »Shifting the Patterns of Discord
Plexus Catalyst, Nancy Dixon, like many others, has been troubled by the level of disrespect in our public conversations. Nancy's work at Common Knowledge Associates focuses on the people side of knowledge management and fostering conversation as the most effective knowledge sharing tool. "The words we choose, the questions we ask, and the metaphors we use to explain ourselves, are what determine our success in creating new knowledge, as well as sharing that knowledge with each other." Nancy will share her recent association with Better Angels,an organization that is trying to do something about shifting the patterns of discord in our
Find out more »September 2018
The Commons Project
Over the past several months, Plexus Catalyst Mike Taylor has reached out to professionals from the social, environmental, game design, prevention, educational, organizational, finance and policy domains to share their experiences, build new relationships and develop viable components of this project. This is a multi-disciplinary effort and an opportunity for members of the Plexus Network to add their insight and expertise in a process that encourages "learning and creating" throughout the project. By engaging large groups of people in a self-organized process, The Commons platform will allow participants to see the direct impact of individual and collective choices on local
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