Category: Collective Wisdom

Collaborating to Understand Collaboration; A New Tool

~ Mark Holmgren ~ Leave a comment

I imagine the majority of us value collaboration. We believe that doing it increases impact, fosters innovation, and is especially called for when it comes to effecting large-scale systemic change (or transformational change). Many say collaboration is more efficient than disconnected social change or social service efforts. The expectations of many funders are that grant … Continue reading Collaborating to Understand Collaboration; A New Tool

35 Voices On Collaborative Leadership and Co-Creating Cities of the Future

~ Mark Holmgren ~ Leave a comment

In July and August, I sought out individuals in my personal and professional network to contribute to a major paper I was writing on Collaborative Leadership and Co-Creating Cities of the Future. I sought out participation through Facebook, via a survey which I promoted in emails and through Twitter. The paper was released last week … Continue reading 35 Voices On Collaborative Leadership and Co-Creating Cities of the Future

Movement Building and Collective Impact

~ Mark Holmgren ~ 1 Comment

In an article written for Fast Company, Kaihan Krisppendorff, identifies four steps to building an effective social movement, which I have adapted below: 1. A community forms around a common goal or aspiration. 2. The community mobilizes its resources to act on the goal/aspiration. 3. The community crafts solutions and acts to deliver them. 4. The movement … Continue reading Movement Building and Collective Impact

Was that you I saw standing on the edge?

~ Mark Holmgren ~ Leave a comment

I was the Lumber Jack size of a man with his toes on the precipice just a stone’s throw away from you.  My toes were nearly hanging over, which meant my belly extended even further over the edge. The other side – that place beyond the chasm where I wanted to be – wasn’t all … Continue reading Was that you I saw standing on the edge?

Together, Differently

~ Mark Holmgren ~ Leave a comment

I sit on the Mayor of Edmonton’s Task Force to End Poverty. It’s a diverse group including the expected mix of leaders from government, business, education and community services. At a recent gathering we were working together to increase common understanding about poverty as well as to move forward with identifying strategies. In this session … Continue reading Together, Differently

Becoming a Learning Organization – Part Two

~ Mark Holmgren ~ Leave a comment

ACTION LEARNING According to Michael J. Marquardt[1], “action learning is a dynamic process that involves a small group of people solving real problems, while at the same time focusing on what they are learning and how their learning can benefit [one another]….Perhaps action learning's most valuable capacity is its amazing, multiplying impact to equip individuals, … Continue reading Becoming a Learning Organization – Part Two

Becoming a Learning Organization – Part One

~ Mark Holmgren ~ 1 Comment

SINGLE, DOUBLE, AND TRIPLE LOOP LEARNING One key to organizational success has to do with the capacity of people to learn - learn from mistakes as well as learn from successes. The call for organizational learning has escalated over the years ever since our culture and economy transitioned from a "we make things" focus to … Continue reading Becoming a Learning Organization – Part One