In every organization there is a need for open and honest conversations about difficult issues. Workplaces and civic arenas can be better served by creating spaces where people can voice different perspectives and ways of thinking to generate creative solutions and influence the work they care about. Yet frequently people are stifled, buffeted by contentious cultures, or stuck in unproductive group patterns.

Gracious Space has:

• Helped senior government leaders rebuild the culture of their institution from one of fragmentation and mistrust into one of cooperation and shared leadership;
• Been used by a non-profit organization over the course of two years to build trust between departments that were stuck in an “us versus them” pattern;
• Helped a community group discuss race and class which enabled them to build a respectful, shared community vision;
• Been applied as a foundation in a state-wide initiative on public discourse in Montana;
• Been used to address conflict, raise compelling questions, reconcile polarizing issues, reduce fear in the workplace, and build creative connections.

Gracious space can expand and contract with the time and space available.  It can be five minutes at the beginning of a meeting or run throughout the course of a multi-year initiative.  Generally Gracious Space focuses on:

• Opening the space in a positive way for the group to do its work
• Creating the relational field
• Connecting the relational field to the larger context of change
• Aiming the work of the group toward its shared purpose
• Being present and moving together on the change work

If you'd like more information or learn how to schedule a training or facilitation for your group please email Steve Stapleton or call our office at 206-328-3020.

If you would like to become skilled at facilitating, leading or applying Gracious Space in your change efforts, contact the Center at 206-328-3020 about the next Creating Gracious Space training.

If you would like to order copies of the Gracious Space monograph, you can download the order form.