8. CREATION
Something new that emerges from engagements of shared purpose and trust
WHAT IS CREATION?
Creation, in the context of convening, is something new that emerges in our gathering as a result of authentic engagement during Essential Conversation. We don’t know what the creation will be, and it is out of our direct control. We can, however, plan, nurture, and set the conditions in which it emerges, just as a gardener fosters the conditions for a plant to emerge from the ground.
Depending on the purpose of our gathering, the creation could be a new product idea, a new marketing concept, or a way for the family to be together more meaningfully. It could also be a thought, a revelation about our relationship with others, or a modification of something old (which makes it new!). Whatever the form of the creation, it is the role of the Convener to attentively keep the participants authentically engaged so that they are able to generate the new. The Convener intervenes only under certain circumstances—if the group seems to be getting disengaged, the container needs to be strengthened, or the new emerging themes need emphasis or illumination.
Conveners all have unique personal tools, abilities, and training. When we enter the Aspect of Creation, we use these personal assets to bring the group members into awareness of their commonality and their collective, creative imagination.
AUTHENTIC ENGAGEMENT IS KEY
When we authentically engage, we are not recycling old dialogue or behavior; we’re tapping what is true for us now, at this moment. Our authenticity allows us to bring a presence to the engagement that is unique to this moment in time. This unique presence means that what is occurring in our gathering has never happened before. If we have followed the Aspects of the Convening Wheel and have entered Essential Conversation, every participant in our gathering is bringing this unique presence. Therefore, something new must emerge.
CHALLENGE
Disengagement
For the Aspect of Creation to emerge within the gathering, the Convener and all participants continue to authentically engage, remaining present and open to others’ ideas, in order to move forward energetically. Disengagement may threaten our gathering in the form of distraction, dissent, inertia, resistance, or criticism.
The Convener recognizes that something special is happening and, while allowing the process to continue, remains vigilant to the surroundings and the mood of the group. At this point, the group may veer off in a distracting direction, which would open the door for it to become energetically or psychically disengaged. The Convener is watchful at this juncture to protect the safety of the group so that the participants remain willing to move forward in trust.
This is a time when a participant may challenge the direction of the group or the authority of the Convener. The Convener may bring the conversation back to the center, or remind the participants of the context, protocols, and agreements, while honoring dissent within a container of freedom. The important role for the Convener at this time is to protect the integrity of the container, reinforce the context, and notice the creation that is emerging.
PRINCIPLE
The emergence of something new that did not exist before is the root of innovation and meaningful contribution.
We elicit the emergence of something new because that is why we have engaged with others in the first place. We may have gathered because we are interested in deeper connection, learning, finding better ways to collaborate, solving problems together, or strengthening our relationships. As human beings, we also long to share our unique gifts. Implicit in our meeting is the expectation that something will happen that transforms us, that we will not be the same coming out as we were going in.
When something new emerges from our gathering, whether it is new thinking or a full-blown treatise, the possibility of our making a meaningful contribution to our shared future is greatly enhanced.
Out there in the air,
there is a field where fresh ideas come and go.
Joining, we start to move with new frequency
in relationship with ourselves,
with others, and even the field itself.
Moving more freely, we see new things;
and the old, familiar views, a-new.
This opening, this broad space,
is the place of letting go, of running,
where so much is born.
We see a beautiful, broad field in red-orange-yellow.
We’ve entered this broad space, by design.
Leaving all we know behind hoping to find
what we are looking for:
Big thinking, brainstorming, ideation.
Rhythm. Relationship.
It is in this open,
seemingly boundless place,
that things often get too open.
Too loud, too fast, too loose.
A little … wild.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
What are we to create together?
How will I recognize and harvest the wisdom being created?
What is the new that we can bring back to our relationships and communities, personal and organizational?
Convention and rules fall away.
The wilding ideas run and spin.
We dance, alone, together.
Dizzy and tripping, we go
from “free” to sometimes “amuck.”
What? “Others don’t see things as we do?”
We shout, we struggle for our footing, for the other.
The sun goes behind the clouds
and all the colors turn to brown,
then gray … then black.
We’ve gone a-field on purpose.
In this darkness, we know.
Still we know.
That this is the place.
This place here—
Way out here—
where grace and alchemy roam
amid the shadows;
where creativity
and meaningful work
are forged of togetherness.
—Elizabeth Becker3
As Conveners, we ask ourselves these questions as we enter into this Aspect and take note of what we recognize as new. Our own creativity, practiced and honed, will allow us to recognize the emerging new more reliably.
It is helpful for us to recognize and capture the new entity that emerges from our gathering; however, sometimes the emerging new is invisible to us. It could be a shift in thinking or an old idea revisited. Quite often, the obvious is staring us in the face, and all we need to do is recognize it. There are many ways to harvest the wisdom being created, if that is what’s called for, and different methods at our disposal, depending on our area of expertise, training, or preference. We ask ourselves what method will be best for this gathering.
MAKING IT REAL
We communicated the purpose for our meeting at the beginning and so have primed the participants to be in the best state of mind for that purpose. But we still don’t know what form our creation together will take. The Convener listens to the participants and is alert for repeating themes and commonality in their collective, creative imagination.
WHEN THE BOTTOM DROPS OUT
It was toward the end of a two-day training session retreat when the bottom seemed to drop out of the container of safety of the group. They were a hierarchically oriented work group who had come to the session with deep-seated issues around trust and cynicism.
Over time, we were able to tap into our individual and collective stories and open the door to the possibility of a shared future that all could get behind.
We worked hard, made and struck agreements, articulated the context of our intent, and heard all the voices time and again; the shell of fear and sarcasm began to crack open. We found our common values and visions emerging quite gracefully. A palpable sense of shared wisdom and trust emerged in the room.
Then, suddenly, following a particularly vulnerable sharing by one of the members, a cloud of dread came over the group. This person fled the room crying while others turned to me, in panic, for answers. I could feel the collective good will being mightily tested.
Some asked me why this had happened, what was said, and who was to blame. Others visibly tightened and withdrew. I knew this was a reality test for the group. Could they believe what they had created or not? Could they endure the exposure to authentic conversation and courage demanded of the group to achieve the level of commitment they were on the verge of making together?
Did they, as a group, have the courage to sit in the discomfort and hold one another during this meltdown?
Did I, as Convener, trust in my own internal preparation enough to hold my own doubts and fears as well as those of the group?
As the Convener, I had to decide what to do. My instincts told me to move forward with this group as planned and to trust the bond we were forming to get us through this.
After a short break, I reconvened the group, sat in silence, and then asked the person who had left the room if she wished to share what was going on with her. Her response was refreshingly honest and straightforward; she said that what she had experienced was a breakthrough in confronting her fear about being seen for who she really was, and that for a moment she had been afraid that she would be judged as weak and ineffective. The result was overpowering. Her admission and candor spoke volumes to the rest of the group. The level of empathy and identification with her fear was universal.
The heavy cloud of apprehension lifted from the room immediately.
Now we were ready to lean into one another as a tested and tempered interdependent whole. The work we did for the remainder of the retreat and our time together was forever changed in those few minutes. Powerful!
—By Craig Neal
Conscious nurturing is the main theme for the Creation Aspect. When we prepare the soil for planting, place our seeds, water, and weed, something eventually grows. In a sense, we have facilitated the growth of something new. Of course, plants grow all the time without anyone doing anything. In fact, it’s almost impossible to prevent some plants from growing—yet our nurturing influences what grows where, and how vigorously. We come to this Aspect because we want to encourage growth where there is none, we want to encourage a different kind of growth, or we want to culture and refine the growth we have.
In our gathering so far, we’ve engaged in setting the stage for this growth that emerges spontaneously within a nurturing, well-formed container that has shaped it.
This is a time for subtlety and nuanced activity from the Convener. The hand of intervention is used consciously and wisely. Witnessing creation of the essential kind, when something new is born from the collective expression of those gathered, is like witnessing the initial sprout of a plant emerging from the earth. This is a time when we pay close attention to the vital signs of the people; whether the container is holding is crucial. The group may test the strength of one another and of the container itself.
When our gathering hovers here, between the Aspects of Essential Conversation and Commitment to Action, the experience may be subtle or wrenching. If we’ve done our work well, the group will almost take care of itself, no matter how explosive and passionate the creative process may be.
CAPTURING THE CREATIVE IMPULSE
Recognizing and capturing this creation can be obvious or elusive. Our personal and professional field of practice in which we work with the creative process can be very helpful in honing our ability to detect the emerging new. Relying on our common sense and being awake to the subtle or obvious shifts of group energy can help us to recognize the emerging new in our gathering.
Here are some things to look for now:
• Are the vast majority of the people engaged? If not, who is not and why not? A gentle hand or intervention may be appropriate to bring outliers in or utilize their contribution.
• Do you sense agreement, conflict, or indecision, or are people still in process? Be aware of these three forms of group dynamics. Are you ready to move on, step back, or wait a while longer?
• What is waiting to be born that may be on the tips of people’s tongues but as yet unspoken?
Capturing the new, or bringing the group to awareness of it in a useful way, is also a function that the Convener serves. We use whatever tools we have at our disposal to draw, record, write, or emphasize the emergent new. We use our background in coaching, facilitation, or teaching to ask questions of the participants, or to illuminate the new for them—if they have not already recognized the new on their own.
Now is the time to put on your facilitator’s hat! There are many ways and methodologies you can use to reveal the gifts that are individually and collectively waiting to be offered. As we suggested in chapter 7, on Essential Conversation, we use the technique, process, or methodology that suits our culture, the objectives of the meeting, and our experience level. The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future, by Tom Devane and Peggy Holman (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 1999), offers an especially comprehensive overview of group process methodologies.
HOLDING ON AND LETTING GO
The creative process is messy at times, explosive at others, and occasionally we may find it easy paddling.
The Art in Convening, an instinctive knowing that develops with practice, is very helpful during this Aspect of the Wheel. It’s where expectations are the greatest and the demand for presence is most profound. Consider the tree in the midst of the hurricane, able to stay firmly rooted yet bending and swaying to the overpowering wind, allowing the force of change to wash over it.
The Convener fiercely holds the integrity of the container, honoring the individuals in relationship with one another, in community, so that the new that emerges is consistent with the purpose, heart, and values of this community.
WHERE WE ARE ON THE CONVENING WHEEL
1. At the Heart of the Matter—We have explored who we are and how we will be in relationship with others.
2. Clarifying Intent—We have identified an intention consistent with At the Heart of the Matter that has substance and is acted upon.
3. The Invitation—We have extended a sincere invitation with genuine hospitality, generosity, and conviction.
4. Setting Context—We have clearly communicated the form, function, and purpose of our gathering.
5. Creating the Container—We have prepared a physical space with beauty and life, and we have agreed on terms of engagement or protocols that bring safety for our time together.
6. Hearing All the Voices—We have spoken and heard every other person speak in our gathering, creating an authentic whole.
7. Essential Conversation—We have entered into a meaningful exchange in an atmosphere of trust.
8. Creation—We have observed and nurtured the emergence of something new in our gathering.
When we are in the Creation Aspect of the Convening Wheel, we know that we’ve done our preparation well. Our gathering is coming to an end, and we move to “capture” this energy and wisdom generated by participants as we enter the next Aspect, Commitment to Action.
Things to Remember
Challenge: Disengagement. Is everyone engaged?
Principle: The emergence of something that did not exist before is the root of innovation and meaningful contribution.
Essential Questions:
• What are we to create together?
• How will I recognize and harvest the wisdom being created?
• What is the new that we can bring back to our relationships and communities, personal and business?
Aspect-Strengthening Exercises
Checklist for the Gathering at Hand
• Am I prepared to recognize the new when it emerges in this gathering?
• Am I prepared to harvest the new when and if it emerges?
• What method will be used to “hold the people”—to keep everyone engaged as creation happens?
EXERCISE 1: CHILD’S PLAY OR BEGINNER’S MIND
Overview
Ever notice how uninhibited young children under the age of six are? How they seem to assume connection to one another and the world around them as given? There is something to relearn here. We call it innocence or beginner’s mind, referring to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconception.
What to Do
Spend time with a child or, better yet, a group of children, under six. Volunteer at a nursery school or kindergarten, find a playgroup, or stop in at the children’s area at your health club be sure to get permission). Get down on their level and follow them around for an hour or two. Engage in child’s play.
Questions to Ask Yourself in Reflection
• How are children like or dissimilar from adults in their acceptance of one another?
• What is the role of surprise and wonder in their play?
• How do children approach the creation of something new in their lives? How does this compare with your experience?
• What preconceptions did you bring that got in the way of being in beginner’s mind?
EXERCISE 2: IDEATION
Materials needed: large sticky notes or paper and pen or pencil, for each individual; flipchart, marking pens, tape.
The next time you need to make a decision about something you’re ambivalent about, invite at least two other people to engage in an ideation process to help you create an outcome that you cannot determine on your own. Choose people whom you trust, but who may hold divergent or different points of view from you.
1. Begin by stating the protocols or agreements of your time together.
2. Next, a brief Stringing of the Beads will ground or transition people to being prepared to participate in a meaningful way.
3. State your vision, purpose, core idea, or challenge to be considered. Clarify as needed until everyone understands it.
4. Explore, brainstorm:
a. Have everyone, including yourself, individually record his or her ideas, solutions, and/or options in silence (up to 10 each).
b. Taking turns, invite each person to read one idea per turn, including yourself. Ask everyone to just listen without commenting. As the idea is spoken, instruct the speaker to post it on a wall or flipchart sheet.
c. Continue having each person speak until all ideas are spoken.
d. Listen for and note common themes or alignment, or what brings energy to the group. Allow for clarifying questions from the group.
5. Synthesis #1: arrange the ideas by theme. Combine duplicate ideas.
a. Based on this sorting, pick the three or four most popular categories in the group.
b. Invite everyone to write a second round of ideas by restating, honing, or creating new ideas for these categories.
c. Have everyone read what they have written again, one by one, placing the idea, observation, or reflection on the wall by the related category. Allow for clarifying questions and further observations.
6. Synthesis #2: consolidate into one or two primary themes.
a. Reflect back what you have noticed is common among all of you and where the group’s energy is focused.
b. Thank the participants for their engagement and creativity.
Journaling Questions
Imagine a time in your practice or life when you experienced the alignment of a group. Did you create something new?
• How did distraction (in the form of dissent, inertia, fear, or messiness) manifest, and how was it overcome (or not)?
• As a Convener, how did you respond, or not respond, to the situation?
• Out of this, what was cocreated? Where did the desire for cocreation override the fear and allow for unexpected and unimagined results?