what we do

telling the story and partners work with clients in the public and private sector in Australia and overseas. We concentrate on the challenges of the conversations now happening in our new and fast changing world. We do this by moving past warnings and gloomy predictions and by convening, hosting and harvesting conversations that matter, in different and innovative ways. We use an approach that challenges the ways we have unsuccessfully conducted many different conversations for a long time.

We provide leadership, training and mentoring for existing and emerging leaders to take on this challenging role.

Our processes advance the importance of conversations because we apply a new emphasis on harvesting these conversations and how that is best accomplished. And how that, in turn, provides insights into how the conversation is best hosted.

Our work helps create leaders who host and harvest conversations in new and innovative ways, not presently experienced in many organisations and groups.

We provide an amalgam of workshops, training and consulting to highlight and apply the need for and the best way to nurture the conversations that now really matter.

workshops

workshops and programs – taking individuals and groups to new levels

Experience tells us that people come to programs and workshops to have their wisdom and experience honoured. We ensure that the new knowledge we provide is integrated with each person’s experience in such a way that it is immediately useful back at work or in the community. We do this by giving subtle teachings and co-creating powerful conversations to model the new behaviours with which we have agreed to work. We offer the following foundation workshops:

the inspired mind workshop

Finding self in the noise of modern life is the purpose of this one day workshop. Using principles from live theatre, movement and internal silence, we explore not only who we are but also what is important for each of us.

the art of dialogue leadership workshop

Quality of leadership is tied to the dialogue that the leader creates. In this workshop we explore and experience the interaction between dialogue and leadership, how one supports the other and how maintaining this connection leads to more authentic leadership. We offer the workshop in one or three day non-residential formats.

the art of hosting and harvesting conversations that matter workshop

This residential workshop provides a four day immersion in the nature of conversations that matter and how they are hosted and harvested to ensure strong decisions and wise actions. The workshop is offered in Australia and New Zealand and around the world. More information can be found at www.artofhosting.org.

We describe our open space facilitator training under the next tab.

facilitator training

open space facilitator training workshop

All conversations are conducted in a particular place or ‘conversation container’. The container is not just the physical space; but also the trust and the values in the space and the personal and professional thoughts and aspirations each person brings to the space.

The open space two day program teaches hosts who lead important conversations, how to maximise the effectiveness of the container and how to work with the interplay of passion, responsibility and control to significantly improve the qualities and outcomes of that conversation.

It also explores ways to crystallise the conclusions reached during the conversation into actionable and wise outcomes. The program is delivered both as residential or non-residential gatherings.

We can also provide one-on-one coaching for leaders who are not able to attend a two day training workshop. More information about the discipline of open space can be found at www.openspaceworld.org.

co-creating - innovative ways of reaching important outcomes together

hosting and harvesting groups using open space

Conversations inside and between teams and between organisations are often challenging. Open space is a world-wide social process that provides an environment free of obstacles so that productive conversation can flourish.

Open Space Technology is used around the world and it is ideally suited to solve difficult issues with divergent groups ranging from 10 to 1000 people.

We work closely with clients to determine the question that really matters and then guide groups through the open space process and assist in the harvesting of the outcomes of the discussions.

We can provide trained and experienced open space leaders to enable every important conversation to produce positive results and actions.

designing dialogue processes for specific situations

The positive experience of open space often creates the energy to review the way everyday conversations are conducted. We can assist with the creation of effective conversation flows through the implementation of an integrated approach to harvesting the outcomes of conversations and meetings. This, in turn, willl clarify the purpose of subsequent meetings in an ongoing cycle.

mentoring teams and individuals

We mentor individuals and teams in their journey towards more effective conversations. We do this by providing wise and compassionate support to bring conversational skills to the fore.

programs

The following public programs are scheduled for this year and early 2010.

They are offered as public programs and can also be conducted within organisations or teams.

climate change conversation on 28 november 2009 – part of an ongoing series of community-based conversations that address the important questions that we all face at this time. Join us for a day of informed and thoughtful conversation that will create a joint understanding at a new level. Download a flyer and registration from here

the art of dialogue leadership – late February 2010 – learning to enhance our leadership through changing the way we use dialogue to reach agreement for wise actions and agreement

the art of hosting and harvesting conversations that matter – march/april 2010 - the ‘art’ is a powerful leadership practicum as well as a daily pattern and practice for individuals, communities, families, businesses and organisations. The training consists of a four day residential practice retreat for all who aspire to learn and find new ways for working with others in order to create innovative and comprehensive solutions. More information can be found at www.artofhosting.org.

inspired mind workshop – march/april 2010 – a light-hearted but serious one day workshop where participants revisit some basic truths in their life, giving clarity about the future.

open space facilitator training – april 2010 – consisting of two days of intensive exploration of Open Space Technology and how opened space adds rich layers to interactions and conversations.

clients

clients

telling the story works and partners work with Government agencies, the military and private enterprise organisations including the not-for-profit sector both here and overseas.

links

www.artofhosting.org
www.openspaceworld.org
www.peerspirit.com
www.theworldcafe.com
www.appreciativeinquiry.case.edu

about Aart Groothuis

From a background of orgaonisational psychology, line-management, consulting and project management, Aart is now a leading practitioner of Open Space Technology. He designs conversations to facilitate real and lasting change and improvement in the way teams work and how organisations conduct their business. These conversations open possibilities for the future that are not readily apparent in the present.

"He creates conversations that allow people to achieve their best together" Client feedback.

Aart creates conversation containers for planning, innovation and problem solving for organisations in Australia and overseas.

Aart uses Open Space Technology, the art of hosting and Harvesting Conversations That Matter, Circle and Appreciative Inquiry to create conversations that explore the challenging areas of leadership, management and how teams operate. These conversations are structured to allow participants to explore new ways of thinking and relating.

Aart employs self awareness instruments, such as the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI), to raise personal and group awareness of how personal differences in thinking styles affect the way we interact. He also mentors individuals, pairs and teams in the practice of dialogue.

Aart is the recipient of two Australia Day Achievement Awards for his work in organisations, has a background in psychology and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

partners

Our partners come from a diverse range of backgrounds. We are brought together by a shared passion for creating a better future for all of us. Each of us brings skills that provide new and challenging foundations for the work we do together.