“Not knowing is a spiritual practice…”

“I’m in deep ‘don’t know’ about what is next in my life…”

But this Juneteenth is different. Can you feel it? ... Juneteenth, perhaps for the first time, is for all of us. 

In the midst of great disruption,

we are in the midst of a great social pivot.

As leaders, we have crucial choices:

“I Cannot Sell You This Painting.”

Artist Titus Kaphar on his George Floyd TIME Cover

Essential Conversations

We’re in it for the long haul, together.

A weekly Zoom gathering to set your purpose and intention as a leader in these times

We’ve had some remarkable sessions these past 10 weeks (list below), exploring topics that support being a leader who brings purpose, intention and presence.

Monday, May 18 marked the 10th week of meeting. Art of Convening graduate Kiron Dawkins & the Team of WestCOP SSVF spoke to “Heartful Leadership in the Heart of COVID-19.”

An Essential Guide to Convening Great Virtual Meetings

Overnight, virtual meetings have become the dominant way to keep people together. Virtual meetings don't have to be a waste of time. In fact, a well-convened virtual meeting can be as or more valuable than a face-to-face meeting.

It takes leadership and a commitment to innovation. Great virtual meetings with the Art of Convening methodology have vitality, energy, and end with committed, aligned action.

At a glance: I. The secret sauce is you! Who will you be in relationship with others?

gratitude changes everything

Revisiting 2 of the most popular posts from 2019:

11/26/19: “Thanks-living”
12/18/19: “2020: The Year of Gratitude. What are you grateful for?”

These inspired new friend and colleague Miracle Adebanjo to send me an article he had recently written for the Augsburg ECHO.

The Art of Convening can also be called The Art of Gratitude.

Sometimes it takes practice, but when you take time to be present to those around you and remember the gifts they bring, gratitude is an easy response. “Gratitude may be the most powerful inner capacity of the purposeful leader.” - Craig Neal

The Art of Convening can also be called The Art of Deep Listening.

This is Thanksgiving holiday week In the US. November is also Native American Heritage Month. Family, friends and neighbors may be gathering. This week, we invite you to practice the art of deep listening, as a way to connect or reconnect in new ways. We offer 3 practices and 2 exercises. Let us know how it goes!

“I’m too busy!” Work-Life Balance or Work-Life Choice?:

Part 1 of a 2-part Series

Is this a frequent response from you, even when you’re invited to do something you really want to do?

Part 5 of a 5-Part Series:

Powerful Conversations

The right conversations, stimulated by the right questions, can unlock your leadership.

Part 4 of a 5-Part Series:

Thriving

How are you shifting in your leadership focus to thrive? 

What are you noticing?

Part 3 of a 5-Part Series:

Renewal & Your Leadership

What are your own leadership renewal practices?

Part 2 of a 5-Part Series:

Purposeful Leadership

What if you aligned with your purpose in all aspects of your life?

Part 1 of a 5-Part Series

Powerful - Purposeful - Thriving

This assessment was designed to evaluate the impact of the first two cohorts of this pioneering new program that focuses on the principles of purpose, convening and authentic leadership to help women leaders …

Convening Purposeful Leaders

We’re thrilled to share updates including the launch of The Convening Institute!

The Meeting.
a.k.a The Art of Convening
a.k.a. Authentic Engagement

We have experienced and observed, in our own work and lives, the power of authentic engagement to bring a shift of energy to a meeting or gathering.