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Unleashing the Power of Social Invention

Remarkable results come from unleashing the immense power of grassroots creativity, boundary-crossing collaboration, and decentralized networks. A deep well of social inventiveness and self-organizing capability is held in vast reserves... just under the surface. As leaders and managers, we achieve remarkable results by tapping this well. examples

Complexity science offers inspiration and guidance, drawing attention to how order and novel innovations arise from within messy situations... when agreement, evidence and certainty are in short supply. Moving forward can be facilitated by working with uncertainty, surprise, paradox and messy flux. NOT trying to plan, over-control, smooth over difference, or force agreement and buy-in. Practical methods called Liberating Structures unleash the creative adaptability and social inventiveness of people facing complex challenges. principles

NEW: Liberating Structures FAQs

TRIZ video & Plexus Webinar

Liberating Structures

Liberating Structures are the approaches and methods that make it easy for groups of people to liberate their energy, tap into their collective intelligence, be creative, adaptable, build on each other's ideas, and get results. They are simple to learn and can be applied to individual, organizational, or community challenges. more

To be prepared against surprise is to be trained.

To be prepared for surprise is to be educated.

James P. Carse

Liberating Structures are inspired by pioneering work with the Plexus Institute in the US. Launched in 2004 and developed in Latin America. Now, migrating to Europe and Asia. NEW article, "Innovating By Including and Unleashing Everyone" in the Performance journal.

Subtle-Yet-Powerful Approaches

Unlikely as it may seem, exploring complexity science reveals perfectly simple approaches to positive change. Many complicated, control-heavy practices fade away.

Happy surprises often include: finding direction without formal planning; improving without someone else's best practices; working through difficult tensions without therapy; changing creatively without a training program or resistance; and, spreading innovations without an incentive plan or buy-in strategies.

33 Liberating Structures

What We Do

In close partnership with clients, we think together strategically and work collaboratively. We take on complex challenges of all stripes -- big opportunities and entangled problems. sample challenges

"In a dark time the eye begins to see"

Each consulting, teaching, designing, and facilitating engagement is customized to fit your situation, needs, and culture. Keith often works in partnership with scholars, like-minded consultants, business leaders, and the Plexus Institute. more on partners

NEW article, at the Billings Clinic "Saving Lives By Changing Relationships"

Keith
McCandless

+ 1 206.324.9332
Seattle, Washington
USA 98122-4533

keithmccandless@earthlink.net
Let's talk.

Not hammer strokes, but the dance of water

sings the pebbles to perfection. R. Tagore

Social Invention Group

Complexity Science Inspired Consulting~Coaching~Teaching~Facilitating