Nick Osbornes full day course on ‘Weaving Magic for Transition’ was about creating the most effective structures and ways of organizing for groups to build the transition movement. Nick spent many years researching alternative communities and is now active in Transition Glastonbury.

Much of what Nick had to say was pretty obvious when you think about it - but the point is that we all too often don’t think about it! We get so involved in one meeting after another that we seldom stop and spend time making those meetings more effective - and enjoyable. Next time you are in the TTT meeting room take a look at the ‘Collaboration Model of Communication’ poster on the wall. Nick began by contrasting this with a control model - no I haven’t put that one on the wall! The advantages are clear but how often do we slip back into unproductive ways of communication? Read more...

Using a mix of small group activites and exercises we covered four components of the course: collaborative communication, running effective meetings, managing conflict,  and power, decision making and leadership.

‘Collaborative Communication’ is based on openess, flexibility and trust and uses strategies such as sharing information and focussing on interests rather than positions. The consequences are less conflict, more learning and growth and an overall increase in effectiveness. Meetings can be a lot more effective if agendas are well prepared, properly facilitated and decisions recorded. Seeds for Change have ‘top tools for meetings on their website at www.seedsforchange.org.uk 

In ‘Managing Conflict’ we looked at typical responses to conflict within groups and how this can be managed through agreed processes and focussing on examining interests rather than sticking to fixed positions. Creative responses can often resolve apparent conflicts. The important first step is acknowledging conflict when it exists rather than ignoring the problem. One of the most interesting sessions looked at power and decision making and new ways to look at leadership within groups. We examined the spectrum of decision making which ranges from one individual without discussion to group consensus. While the latter may be more time consuming it usually leads to better decisions that take less time to implement.

It’s impossible to do justice to Weaving Magic in a few hundred words. You really did have to be there! And you can - contact Fiona for details of future workshops or a copy of the presentations.  - Chris Bird (TTT Building & Housing Group)