Dear ICI readers – welcome to ICI’s February newsletter!
In the middle of this season of snow, ice and continued uncertainties about the present and the future, this week (in all its Hallmark glory) reminds us of what it is that we love, and the work in the world that we are trying to accomplish, unraveled and difficult as it might sometimes feel. It speaks to how our desires animate and energize our lives.
These pandemic years have surfaced the economic and social inequities within which we live: the inequities of racism; the power of climate change and the media coverage of Indigenous children’s abuse and deaths in residential schools; discrimination by the police; and in public and private acts of hatred. There is a need for new thinking and awareness about how to navigate the impacts of the contested terrain which we inhabit differently.
In talking about complexity theory at the on-line 2022 Leadership Summit I recently attended, David Snowden articulated his Cynefin model which differentiates between managing a complicated problem in which clear procedures and structures address the issue and thinking through a complex problem in which the way forward can’t be easily determined. Rather than set goals that organizations then try to meet, he suggests that we work to define the present situation, ask what is dominant in our definition, what is being ignored and what hasn’t been solved. His questions might help us explore what are the triggers in the work that require our attention? I think our task then is to sense-make and respond – create a responsive path – not drive towards predetermined goals.
In group relations thinking and practices, how we make sense of the world around us is a complicated question. The necessity of multiple and differing perspectives to define the present moment is critical for leaders to begin to make a path within our organizations and the community.
The uncertainty and rapidly changing environments within which we are working and living require more from us; to meet increasing work demands while carrying our own uncertainties and those of others. There is exhaustion in juggling more work; disrupted work environments; simultaneous contradictory demands with less of the pleasures in life that are sustaining. This constant juggling is unsustainable.
The task seems to be one of reversing the drive towards meeting increased demands and to slow down; to see and respond to the moment through thoughtful dialogue with networks and teams as well as ensuring sufficient rest. How can each of us create space within the ongoing demands, to talk with people in our organizations within our networks to understand this moment of rapid change; to respond well and renew our energies through rest and life giving activities? That’s the challenge ICI invites you to.
Wishing you a reflective February!
ICI Coordinator, Tanya Lewis
ICI Planning for 2022 – Our Purpose
ICI is in a process of articulating our social justice framework within the group relations (GR) methodologies. Social justice, anti-black racism, gender and climate justice are such mobile terms – so our challenge with you is to continuously make meaning together about the ethics of our work together. In addition, ICI will be thinking about what organizational form best supports this work and how to collaboratively design and deliver the next Exploring Difference Conference to create greater accessibility for participants. We invite you to talk with us, and to think with us about both these issues. I can reached at tlewis@bureaukensington.com
Training Opportunities for 2022
ICI Practitioner Training
For the past 6 years, ICI has supported learning activities for those interested in developing GR skills and those also interested applying these competencies to organizational or community work. We have referred to these as ICI ‘practitioners’. In January, 2022, 9 people participated in a ‘Consulting to Dilemmas’ workshop with me, Barbara WIlliams and Jo-anne Carlyle to to develop an analytic stance and make connections between individual dilemmas – which can often feel solely personal or interpersonal – and the systemic dynamics in the organizational, family or community contexts which animate and deeply connect the dilemma to unconscious processes in organizational, family or community life.
We are very excited to say that 13 people (both in Toronto and outside Canada) are joining the practitioner program this year. Based on their interests we will be offering learning events dedicated to:
- Learning more about unconscious group processes; key elements of group relations thinking/theory; debrief into practice; integration into work life;
- Developing skills in working power/privilege; seeing and articulating oppression; integrating insights into practice; working with judgements that are activated when values feel compromised
- Strengthening self/other relatedness: metabolizing projections; anxieties in the group; holding/using my valence in light of group dynamics; taking risks (saying what is seen; moving towards messiness; being vulnerable in the service of the group)
- Orienting to broader group relations work: making sense of key debates; current changes to practices; other organizations.
If you are interested in participating and haven’t been in touch yet, please contact me tlewis@bureaukensington.com. We will be beginning in early spring.
Leadership Learning in March, 2022
Ryerson University Non Credit OnLine Continuing Education Course: CDEL 250 Responsive Leadership: Psychoanalytic Perspectives
More information can be found on this link: https://continuing.ryerson.ca/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=11299794&selectedProgramAreaId=18608&selectedProgramStreamId=18715
UPCOMING GROUP RELATIONS EVENTS
1. Online March 17-20, 2022
GRI is co-sponsoring the Leadership for Change Conference, a three-day group relations conference organized by the Leadership Studies Department at the University of San Diego. The conference is a course curriculum for students at the University and it is open to members of the community. René Molenkamp directs this conference.
2. Online March 25-27, 2022
RACE RELATIONS IN AMERICA: LEADERSHIP, ORGANIZATIONAL DYNAMICS AND ______
GRI is co-sponsoring this three-day event that is designed to support educational leaders of varying backgrounds to engage in a dialogue on race relations across the boundaries of racial lines using group relations methodology.. Past, present and future leaders will have an opportunity to explore their organizational experience with race relations in America, while forming a temporary organization. Director: Dr. Patrick Jean-Pierre.
3. Online April 1-3, 2022
CONTACT: Authority and Leadership in a Disrupted World
4. In Person April 4-9, 2022
IFSI RESIDENTIAL CONFERENCE TRANSFORMACTION
Saint-Raphaël, France
This is a wonderful opportunity to participate in a residential Group Relations Conference (GRC) in southern France. There are very few residential GRCs even in the best of times. Take advantage of this opportunity! Contact Evangeline at sarda@bc.edu if you are interested in attending this year and want to learn more.
Leadership and Creative Expression: Healing, Authority, Role, and Task, means understanding the relatedness and relationship we have with ourselves, one another, and our earth. We develop this understanding to navigate the multiple layers of experience we feel and face every minute and every day. Yaro Fong-Olivares will direct this conference.
6. In Person July 15-17, 2022
LEADERSHIP FOR CHANGE
San Diego, CA
