Monthly Article
Dana Pearlman
Systems Change Facilitator, Experiential Learning Design, ChangeLeaders Accelerator supporting ChangeLeaders through Community, Networking, Learning and Impact
The Art of Participatory Leadership, hosted by Dana Pearlman, Anamaria Aristizabal, and Sue Grinnell, was more than just an event—it was a shared experience of learning and connection. Held over three days in Sonoma County, the event brought together change-makers, leaders, and facilitators in a co-creative environment, exploring key aspects of leadership through the lenses of relationships, action, and possibilities. These pillars became the foundation of the participants' reflections, which revealed insights into the depths of human connection, the courage of bold actions, and the infinite potential of what can be.
The heart of the event was the collective space where participants were encouraged to be vulnerable, authentic, and brave. Each day had a distinct focus, allowing participants to explore different facets of their journey. Day 1 centered on relationships, with conversations and exercises centered around building connections through the frameworks, methods, and principles like storytelling. On Day 2, the focus shifted to possibilities - once relationships were established, participants explored new pathways for complex systemic change. Lastly, Day 3 was dedicated to action - after building relationships and envisioning possibilities, participants were ready to move forward and take action.
Relationships: Trust Through Vulnerability
The first pillar, relationships, was defined by trust, vulnerability, and connection. One powerful insight shared by attendees was the importance of giving people the "time and space to share their depth." This reflects the foundational principle that authentic relationships are built on trust, which, as one participant poetically put it in a haiku, requires us to "build trust, vulnerability is key, better-together."
Another key takeaway was how vulnerability enhances relationships. Participants spoke about how daring to show their true selves—especially their weaknesses—fostered deeper trust and connection. "Sharing moments of vulnerability increases trust," someone shared, highlighting the courage it takes to open up in meaningful ways. This authenticity created what one participant called a "liberated brave space," where people could show up fully, humanize themselves, and build connections based on shared truths.
Mindfulness was also a recurring theme in the realm of relationships. Deep listening and contemplative moments were valued equally with verbal exchanges, showing that sometimes the most powerful connections are forged in silence.
Possibilities: Expanding Horizons
The second pillar, possibilities, encouraged participants to dream bigger and explore the limitless potential within themselves and their communities. The participants were reminded that "what we are able to do when we’re listening is miraculous." This theme of listening as a tool for unlocking new possibilities was a key takeaway, showing that true innovation comes from open-minded conversations and deep engagement with others.
The concept of communal systems of leadership also resonated deeply. The event highlighted the benefits of shared leadership, where decisions are made collaboratively, and leaders lean into the natural cycles of life. "The benefit of the communal systems of leadership and leaning into the cycles of nature in our work" was a takeaway that spoke to the idea that leadership doesn’t have to be hierarchical; it can be fluid, shared, and deeply connected to the rhythms of the natural world.
Action: Boldness and Audacity
The third pillar, action, was infused with a sense of courage and readiness to move forward, despite challenges. "Audacity" was a word that resonated strongly with many participants, symbolizing the courage to step into their power and act from a place of self-confidence.
There was a shared understanding that action doesn’t require permission from others. "Amazing mentors and not asking for permission" was a takeaway that echoed the theme of self-empowerment. Participants found strength in acknowledging that they are ready to move forward in their personal and professional journeys, without waiting for external validation.
The importance of grounding action in one's values was also emphasized. One participant spoke of "allowing my body to feel grounded in 'no' when it is needed," showing that action isn’t just about doing more, but about making conscious choices that align with one's integrity. The takeaway here was clear: action without self-awareness can be misguided, but action grounded in values and self-love can be transformative.
“A powerful experience”
The Art of Participatory Leadership was a transformative experience that allowed participants to see themselves and their work through new lenses. The emphasis on relationships, possibilities and action provided a holistic framework for thinking about leadership—not just as something that happens in boardrooms or offices, but in the very fabric of human connection and community.
The event fostered a space where attendees could be courageous, vulnerable, and bold, and where they could explore their personal and collective potential. As one participant summarized, "When we are open (mind-heart-will) to the possibility of relationship, there are delightful discoveries on the other side of connection." This event was indeed a discovery—a journey into the depths of what it means to lead with heart, mind, and spirit.
In the end, participants left not only with new tools for leadership, but with a renewed sense of purpose, empowered by their relationships, actions, and the infinite possibilities that lie ahead.
Recent Events
Emergent Interbeing
In a time of rapid change and polarization, the question of how we can let the collective field's intelligence guide us has never been more pressing.
This event was inspired by Bayo Akomolafe's powerful call to "slow down," encouraging participants to explore Emergent Interbeing. Through this lens, we collectively reoriented ourselves to experience beingness in each moment, not individually but in unity.
This practice highlighted the interconnectedness of all things, resonating at the subatomic level and fostering a sense of co-consciousness. Gathering together in a shared field of awareness opened new pathways to accelerate consciousness evolution, allowing for multiple ways of knowing.
领英推荐
Attendees experienced the shift from narratives of separation to those of interbeing and collective improvisation, amplifying trust, creativity, and a profound sense of shared learning.
Re-Imagining Education Conference
This dynamic virtual gathering, held from October 24–27, 2024, brought together educators, learners, and innovators from around the world to explore new paradigms in learning and teaching.
Centered around building bonds and sharing insights, the event offered attendees a chance to delve into a participatory approach that can be applied in their own environments to enrich collective learning and engagement.
One of the key activities involved breaking into small groups of four, where each participant took on a unique role during a powerful, structured story-sharing session. Over 52 minutes, with each round lasting 13 minutes, participants rotated through the following roles:
After each story, the story sharer shared their experience, reflecting on what it was like to express their journey in this intentional and supportive environment.
Leader Spotlights
Have you ever noticed that most people in policy making positions did not grow up in low-income communities? This was a striking realization for me when I started working in government: that the people making policies that affect low-income and marginalized communities, while often well-intentioned, typically lack the perspective of those communities.
I once asked several community leaders what they viewed as the most pressing social problems, and how they thought systems leaders saw those same problems. Their answers revealed very different understandings. For example, related to school achievement, community members saw the school system as punitive and lacking racial equity, while school officials expressed that youth didn’t try hard enough and parents should speak English. Related to housing, community members saw displacement due to gentrification and the high cost of housing, while city officials saw the need to bring more market rate, tax-generating housing to the area.
Since solutions are connected to problems, you can see how these different perspectives could generate very different solutions. The communities with the most to lose or gain by systems and policy changes usually were not even part of the conversation.
I grew up in neighborhoods where families face chronic scarcity. Parents often work 12 or more hours a day, and still struggle to provide enough food, let alone to have enough time to go to their children’s schools or attend a City Council meeting.
How can we fix this disconnect? To answer this, I researched successful policy and systems changes led by low-income and marginalized communities. I was delighted to study these inspiring communities and to learn how they built power to truly change systems. I was inspired by the ways trust-based philanthropy created space for conversations about needed changes and supported their efforts.
In public health, on global, national, and local scales, we talk about the social determinants of health. Social determinants include things like racial inequities, access to quality food, and education. There are also commercial determinants of health, like housing, highly processed “food products,” and toxic waste. Commercial interests are well funded and do an excellent job of conveying their messages.
The sweet spot is when communities and government can work together to create change that goes beyond commercial interests. Elevating the voice of communities most affected by inequities helps to shift the narrative and helps our government leaders see things in a more balanced way.
Philanthropy can support communities to convey their messages. This support might include simply holding space over time for more nuanced conversations that allow people to reflect, join together, and use their power. It might also include legal, communications and other supports.
Now that I have this lens, I see hope for real change everywhere. People
sometimes ask me why I am so optimistic. It is because all over the US and the world communities are coming together, building power, and pushing against old systems that sorely need to be changed. Hope is in our communities. I am certain these communities will increasingly find each and learn from each other and connect in more and more powerful ways. This will create the tipping point.
If you are a philanthropic, non-profit, or government leader interested in
strategizing together, I’d love to hear from you. I can be reached at
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