collaboration

Positive Psychology: Raising Happy, Kind Children Evolutionarily Adaptive

In contrast to "every man for himself" interpretations of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, Dacher Keltner, a UC Berkeley psychologist and author of "Born to be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life," and his fellow social scientists are building the case that humans are successful as a species precisely because of our nurturing, altruistic and compassionate traits. Christine Carter writes "Raising Happiness" (Yasmin Anwar, AlterNet, March 4, 2010)

Continue ReadingPositive Psychology: Raising Happy, Kind Children Evolutionarily Adaptive

HARD-WIRED FOR COLLABORATION: PHYSICAL TOUCH INCREASES PERFORMANCE

Physical touch stengthens creative problem solving and performance. In Born To Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life (Norton, 2009), Dacher Keltner cites research indicating that simply giving a reassuring physical touch (a high-five, a chest bump, a shoulder pat) can increase performance on the basketball court, in intimate relationship, in the classroom, everywhere! Humans are wired to seek collaborative effort to "share the load" of problem solving.

Continue ReadingHARD-WIRED FOR COLLABORATION: PHYSICAL TOUCH INCREASES PERFORMANCE

TRANSITION TOWNS: LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY FOR GLOBAL CHANGE

The Transition Town movement is an example of bottom-up empowerment, local community organization for global climate change. Political action and emotional growth and support are combined with conflict resolution skill training, so that Head, Heart, and Hands are all enlisted in common cause. Listening/Focusing Communities are one model of peer support that could be incorporated into Transition Towns.

Continue ReadingTRANSITION TOWNS: LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY FOR GLOBAL CHANGE

BOTTOM-UP EMPOWERMENT: PENNY HARVEST ENGAGES SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SERVICE-LEARNING

Apathy is avoided when each person in an organization is engaged at their own passionate, individual Creative Edge. Empowerment Organization motivates people "from the bottom up" by finding "One Small Thing" as a first step toward engagement. The Penny Harvest fund-raiser used in elementary schools nationwide is used as an example of using "The One Small Thing" method to motivate children and communities to learn about giving and helping others, life-long philanthropy.

Continue ReadingBOTTOM-UP EMPOWERMENT: PENNY HARVEST ENGAGES SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SERVICE-LEARNING

CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN BUSINESSES: TEACHING INTERPERSONAL FOCUSING

The Creative Edge Organization model from Creative Edge Focusing (TM) includes the Interpersonal Focusing method, often with a Third Person Listening Facilitator, for the resolution of interpersonal conflicts. Intuitive Focusing and Focused Listening skills are used, either in a separate session or right during a Collaboration Edge Decision Making Meeting. How do you teach Interpersonal Focusing in a business or organization, especially if there are not evident conflicts present? Free download of Interpersonal Focusing Chapter, as well as creative ideas for teaching.

Continue ReadingCONFLICT RESOLUTION IN BUSINESSES: TEACHING INTERPERSONAL FOCUSING

THE CREATIVE EDGE FOCUSING PYRAMID IN BUSINESS SETTINGS: FOCUSING, LISTENING, AND COLLABORATIVE EDGE MEETINGS

The Creative Edge Focusing Pyramid shows how to maximize creativity, innovation, and mutual support at every level in businesses and organizations. Simple self-help skills of Intuitive Focusing and Focused Listening allow the articulation of non-linear, right-brain solutions at every level of problem solving, with carry-over for conflict resolution, stress reduction, and emotional problem solving at home as well as at work.

Continue ReadingTHE CREATIVE EDGE FOCUSING PYRAMID IN BUSINESS SETTINGS: FOCUSING, LISTENING, AND COLLABORATIVE EDGE MEETINGS

FOCUSING AND BUSINESS: BUILDING COMMUNITY AT WORK

Creative Edge Organizations encourage creative, innovative problem solving from each individual's fresh, intuitive, right-brain thinking by teaching Intuitive Focusing and Focused Listening as basic skills of "emotional and social intelligence." The exchange of Focusing/Listening turns builds feelings of "buy in" and "community" while encouraging innovation, creativity, and diversity.

Continue ReadingFOCUSING AND BUSINESS: BUILDING COMMUNITY AT WORK

WWW.CHANGE.ORG: VOTE FOR TOP TEN AGENDAS FOR OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, INCLUDING DEPARTMENT OF PEACE, EMPATHY INITIATIVE, SUSTAINABILITY, ETC.

Easy way to vote for your top ten agendas to be delivered to Obama on inauguration day, especially the Empathy/Non-Violent Communication Initiative and the Department of Peace.

Continue ReadingWWW.CHANGE.ORG: VOTE FOR TOP TEN AGENDAS FOR OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, INCLUDING DEPARTMENT OF PEACE, EMPATHY INITIATIVE, SUSTAINABILITY, ETC.

FOCUSING IN THE WORLD: INTERPERSONAL, GROUP, COMMUNITY, AND ORGANIZATIONAL MODELS FOR CREATIVITY AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Free Downloads: Complete Focusing Instructions Manual (17 pages) Instant “Ahah!” Mini-Manual “Ajas” Instantaneos Mini-Manual  Focusing Out In The World: Interpersonal, Group, Community, AND Organizational models   There is an explosion…

Continue ReadingFOCUSING IN THE WORLD: INTERPERSONAL, GROUP, COMMUNITY, AND ORGANIZATIONAL MODELS FOR CREATIVITY AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION