Team Facilitation at Global Leadership Lab

A highlight of my career as a Visual Facilitator came in the form of the Global Leadership Lab. The Labs are facilitated workshops aimed at bringing together a cross section of thought-leaders who are working on the most challenging issues of today: climate change, re-thinking finance, and transforming traditional business models. The participants of the lab are a "group of thriving, collaborative, learning individuals that drive innovative change for our planet and all of humanity."

I worked in collaboration with a multi-generational group of facilitators to design and host two different labs. At the inaugural Global Leadership Lab, I participated in designing the agenda and at the Lab itself, I worked as a Visual Facilitator (see map below). At the second Lab, I offered my experience as a co-facilitator, leading the group in Improvisational theater exercises, as well as group dialogs and reflections throughout the lab. 

 

LifePlays Improv: images of evolution

The wonderful Chris Miller and Ann Swanberg contacted me to create some images for the update of their website, LifePlaysImprov.com

It was a total joy to collaborate and create with Chris on this series of images that portray leaps in evolution. Chris brought lots of great ideas to the table when we first spoke, and the drawings and sketches helped bring his visions to life. 

Not surprising, it's fun to work with an improvisor.

From the grunting cave man to classical music

From the hieroglyph to the iPhone 

From the stone wheel to the fast car

And finally, from

Mapping from home, a Cyber Cafe on privacy

This map was commissioned by the National Science Foundation through a wonderful company called weDialog - experts in offering on-line conversations and events. What you see above is one of the results of an on-line World Cafe, called 'SaTC Cyber Cafe'  aimed at identifying "critical issues in cybersecurity...designed to encourage collaborative research between computer science and the social sciences."

From the comfort of my home studio I listened to two, forty minute dialogs on the subject of cybersecurity and privacy. I drew while I listened, scanned my notes, added color in Photoshop and voila! You can see the results. 

I believe the art of hosting on-line discussion, complete with Visual Recording of course, is a critical 21st century skill. We need to bring together voices from around the world in an on-line platform by maintaining a space that mirrors the intimacy of in-person conversation. 

Synthesis Map

Here's an example of Synthesis Mapping: during an event I make small notebook size map and then review it with key stakeholders while the large group is on a break. We have a brief chat, check out the highlights that were captured in a small map, and decide what info and imagery should show up in the Synthesis Map. Then I get to work!

Visionary Leadership

I'm elated to be able to share these maps because they depict a series of conversations with leaders who are committed to engaging their work in a holistic and authentic way. The first map was created live during a talk given by a leader who presented a roadmap for his team.

The map below was inspired by a conversation about creating personal and collective masterpieces through the work and vision of individuals and teams.

The content in each flower came from individual team members expressing their vision for their personal masterpiece. 

In this map team members responded to the question: "Remember when you were a part of a successful team producing great results under demanding circumstances. What were the conditions that brought out the best in you and allowed you to flourish as a team?" I recorded their answers as they stood around the map at the end of their retreat. 

Inspiring Schools

I was elated to get to work with the inspiring and kind people of Highline Public Schools. During their Administrative Retreat, staff and faculty discussed the book, 'Pedagogy of Confidence' by Yvette Jackson. In a powerful and engaging presentation, superintendent Dr.Susan Enfield shared her hopes for the future of Highline, inspired by the ideas raised in the book. The map is a synthesis of Dr.Enfield's vision.

BSidesSanFrancisco: A Security Conference

So very happy to be working at this year's BSides Security conference right across the Bay in San Francisco. This conference is such a cool idea: all the folks who don't make it on the roster of the BIG, well funded security conferences still have something to say. So let's let 'em talk. And all the folks who'd like to go to the BIG, heavily-sponsored conferences but don't want to pay hotel, airfare and steep prices...let's let 'em in for free! Tah-dah: you've got BSides. I could say more, but I'll map instead:

Maps of the Hero's Journey

Working with a team of facilitators at Genentech, I created a series of large-scale templates that were filled in during a celebration designed for participants to reflect on their year long study of the Hero's Journey. 

The Strongheart Fellowship Program and Grace's story

This map was created after I heard a beautiful and compelling talk given by Grace, a Strongheart Fellow and the founder of Strongheart, Zoe Adams. Grace shared her amazing life story with a group of leaders, focusing on how we all have to develop courage and wisdom to attain our goals. Zoe explained the mission of Strongheart and how their work with young people is changing the world. Please visit the Strongheart site here.

Live mapping: A leadership journey

This map was created while a small leadership team responded to the question, "What if the last three days could unleash the potential of 50,000 people and their families?".  Each executive in the room responded to the question while I captured their words and added related images. The acorn in the center of the map was a metaphor used through out the three days to help participants imagine what their work could become in the future.

Samuel Merritt University: World Cafe mapping

These maps were created during a World Cafe dialog among staff and faculty members of Samuel Merritt University. I helped to develop the questions used in the Cafe, and was happy to listen to the lively discussions and capture the output from the three rounds of conversation. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Driving Towards Solutions: Louisiana Department of Education

Here's a map I created in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education and their Non-Tested Grades and Subjects (NTGS) group. The image portrays the NTGS journey towards developing ways to track student and teacher success in subjects that don't use traditional metrics such as Career and Technical Education. Members of the various NTGS Workgroups signed the road map to show their support of this vision of student achievement.

SINGLE CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE A LARGER VIEW.

Sustainably Harvesting Questions

Here's a way to visually record the questions that emerge after a World Cafe dialog.

CLICK on the map to see a larger version.

Episode 1: How to Build a Business Case for Social Customer Service

I'm very proud to share this series of videos I co-created with Salesforce.com!These three videos are aimed at helping businesses and organizations utilize Social Media as a tool for their Customer Service departments; customers are communicating using Social Media everyday - so companies need to be using those tools as well!

After a series of meetings, I created small storyboard images based on each script. Then we shot for two full days at Pixel Corp studios in San Francisco; I created 55 large scale drawings on camera...all in ink...no pencil outlines for me! Once we shot the videos, the amazing Jennifer Stern took over and worked on editing.

I hear from a little Twitter bird that the videos are getting a good reception; I hope they will serve to help people communicate more effectively.

Episode 2: How to Calculate the ROI of Social Customer Service

Episode 3: How Social Customer Service Benefits the Entire Company

Here's the final installment in the three whiteboard animations I created with Salesforce.

Breakout Session at Craigslist Bootcamp!

A wonderful breakout session occurred at Craigslist Bootcamp 2011 where over 70 people engaged in the practice of Conversational Leadership. It began as participants were welcomed into an intentionally designed room with small tables set for four; each table was adorned with unique centerpieces (shells, rocks, figurines, small baskets) to be used as 'talking sticks'.

Also on each table was a handout that listed the gifts and practices of Conversational leaders. Once in the room, people were asked to place their bags, purses and cell phones away so they could move freely and focus on the conversation. After these items were safely stowed away, they sat at tables with people they didn't know. They were encouraged to introduce themselves to one another in a brief way - welcoming one another into the room.

After a brief hello and a quick after lunch stretch break - co-host Deborah Goldblatt and I introduced one another. Deborah is a dear friend who is the Director of Resource Development for The World Cafe. She is also a long time volunteer, and all out dynamic champion for Multi-Generational Collaboration. After introductions, Deborah and I shared the design of the day: using The World Cafe process, and Conversational Leadership as a model to encourage participants to engage in conversation with one another. We wanted to make space for authentic sharing and deep listening around questions that we felt would matter to attendees.

Deborah and I were delighted to watch as Bootcamp participants fully engaged in all three rounds of conversation: the room was buzzing with good talk and listening, people were focused on the speakers at their tables and when it was time to stop each round of conversation people didn't feel ready - all good signs!

Participants also experienced two wonderful 'Harvests' of their conversations: the whole group explored what was emerging in their respective conversations - looking in particular for themes and places of commonality. We saw a lot of heads nodding in appreciation as each person spoke. The second and final round of Harvest was a rich time of reflection where participants expressed their gratitude for the safe space we created. They found that many people in the room have a deep desire for authentic conversation at a time when technology is so ever-present.

We ended in the session in gratitude for their fully engaged conversation throughout the hour - and we recognized them for their practicing of conversational leadership. It was an honor to co-host the experience and I so look forward to the next round of conversation!

Visuals with Audio = Interactive Maps!

Interactive Maps are another way to engage your audience with visuals. After you've found a fantastic Visual Facilitator to co-create an image with you, we collaborate with a web designer who adds hotspots to our digital image.

The Interactive Maps below were created in collaboration with the stellar Shilpa Jain and sponsored by Global Collaborative. Shilpa and I dreamed up a way to highlight the work of young women whose efforts are going to make the world a better place. We decided to use Interactive Maps to tell their stories.

Click here to read more about the project and each woman. DOUBLE CLICK ON EACH WOMAN'S NAME to listen to the audio embedded in each Interactive Map. Roll over various images and listen to segments of their interview.

RUMBI KATEDZA

VALENTINE GIRAUD

AYSEGUL GUZEL

Oldies But Goodies

Check out these very simple but effective maps. You can use them as handout templates or create large versions that groups add to with 'Post-It-Notes' or write on directly. Nothing wrong with simple, clear mind maps! They're a great way for groups to see timelines, action steps, or reflect on a recent event or project.

Synthesis Mapping

An assortment of maps created using a new synthesis process I developed. Once a meeting is underway, I work with facilitators and conveners to distill the key ideas and insights that we feel will be most helpful for participants to remember. Then we choose a visual metaphor and away I go, creating a synthesis map while the meeting continues on around me. My clients and I have found this process to be very effective as a way to ensure that the most important ideas and actions are captured.