"Council is effective for those who want to move from a hierarchical structure to a partnership model where initiative, responsibility and leadership are shared. Through deepening trust, council supports the clarification of values, co-visioning, and community building." -Jack Zimmerman, 'The Way of Council'

Council is a practice that involves bringing people together in circle to bear witness and share in an authentic way. Participants speak in turns, sharing stories and experiences, rather than opinions. It is encouraged to listen without judgement in an effort for participants to recognize that, despite having differences, there is much in common.

Council builds positive relationships between participants and offers great support to hierarchical dynamics. It promotes a sense of community and fosters recognition of a shared humanity and interconnectedness.

Council at Work is a great way to improve and maintain the company culture by creating a more communicative environment through meaningful interactions. Studies show that connection and empathy drive purpose and effort. With a lot of our work lives spent engaged in the business of the company, Council is great tool to generate connection. Council works in a succinct way that allows for powerful results in short periods of time—easy to accommodate during the work day.

Benefits of Council at Work:

·      Fosters Connection

·      Creates Better Communication

·      Increases Productivity

·      Insures Employee Retention

·      Reduces Stress

 What You Need:

A Zoom meeting, a conference room,… any space where participants can gather.

 What can happen:

• Introductions in an easy and relaxed way for the group to feel open and comfortable. From that place of comfort, moving into Council is effortless.

• Sharing stories in a well-facilitated manner to cultivate empathy while getting to know one another in a different way.

• Art activities to help the mind relax, refocus and engage the other side of the brain. And, they’re a fun way to provide a team with a bonding experience. Think facilitated flower arranging, water colors, card making, etc..

• Cultural events to create inclusion and embrace diversity, happening onsite or offsite— with food, cultural activities and story telling from employees who come from diverse backgrounds.

• Day retreats to build connection. Ideally taking the team to a place in nature, with Council, activities and food. Work can be included, depending on the needs of the team.

• Overnight retreats. When a team needs to get away from the office and give themselves a real opportunity to step away from the everyday and come together. Council and activities along with good nourishing food in a nature setting. Business needs can be accommodated.

The history and present use of Council:

Council is based on the traditional practice of oral story telling and allows everyone present the opportunity to speak and to be heard. The Council Facilitator introduces an activity or a prompt and shares a story. All prompts are specifically created in a way that complements the group because the Facilitator is adept at reading the tone of the room.

Companies that implement Council on a regular basis find that their employees move through challenges more fluidly, feel a greater sense of collaboration, are more willing to work as teams and feel overall fulfillment. In short, when people feel more connected, they work better and they work better together.

Organizations and schools that have incorporated Council with their employees, faculty, staff and students have realized the importance of maintaining connection through this practice. 

Council Groups could be set up by work teams, cross divisional, departments or structured drop-ins for anyone that wants to come. Ken will work with you to design a program that meets the needs of your company and employees.