I’m finally forcing myself to find time to take CRR Global Organization and Relationship System Coaching training program.  Beyond Emotional Intelligence (relationship with oneself), and Social Intelligence (relationship with other) lies Relationship Systems Intelligence where the focus is on the entire group, team or system.

This is a five course program and I already took the first ORS@Work course, Intelligence course and Geography course. This last week I took ORSC Path (Three-day course focused on partnerships as a creative force, and examine sophisticated concepts like the Path of Relationship, Quantum Physics and Dreams while exploring how to create a shared vision and a strategic plan for achieving that vision.)  

I said forcing myself early this in post but let me explain. I’m lucky in that many Agilists have attended this program and I’ve benefited from their shares at conferences and other trainings.  As a result, I’m pretty familiar with a good portion of the course program, which always made the investment in time difficult to balance.  However, 2019 was the year for me to cut back on conferences, thus a perfect time to work in this training.

Overall, the experience continues to be positive.

What I enjoyed the most:

  • Purpose. This class for some reason really landed the purpose of most of the tools we are learning. The tools have been my absolute favorite part but there was still a little something that was lacking for me. As the discussion occurred, it clicked. ORSC principle is to help the relationship be healthy – so that they system will want to address the issues – then the relationship/system is creative and will solve the issues. The tools are focused on helping open the door for communication, for action, for empathy. I can get behind the value of that. Where I see an additional aspect – is that there may still need to be additional help (training, coaching, etc) to really develop and action plan (experiments) in resolving the issues. Wanting doesn’t make the problems go away. That said, the value of creating the positive container by opening with several of these tools while combining them with other tools is a really great combination.
  • The concept of 3 levels of reality – essence, dreaming, consensus reality. Consensus reality (think facts). Dreaming (think hopes – high, fears – low). Essence (think attitude). In conflicts, I often highlight that perceptions do not match intentions. And I could easily make a connection to the consensus reality and dreaming aspects. What I found fascinating is that when I went one more level deeper into the essence is where the description of the conflict stopped being my version/their version but us together. The root/foundation that very well could be shared between the relationship. To the first point, this could be a huge door opener in helping people move forward.
  • I highlighted Simon very specifically in an appreciation post. Yet, I want to note that there were several people that really made an impact on me. I’m grateful for the support, discussions, openness, curiosity, appreciation, inclusion, and laughter. I know our paths will cross again.
  • The instructors: Grace returned and I was grateful. Two particular moments stand out where her knowledge and abilities shined. During one of the exercises, I didn’t want to take away from what others were learning but I didn’t want to focus on the movement channel that much. I wanted to sink into the tool with the channels that help me unlock the most. I asked if Grace would be my partner. The instructors quickly adjusted to figure out how to make that happen and the experience hit the nail right on the head. Later, the next morning, Grace made a reminder that there are many channels and sometimes there is internal channels that are just as powerful as external. The key is whether the client is unlocking not how they are unlocking. Thank you for honoring the complexity of humans.

What was difficult:

  • This is what I wrote from the first course.
    • The cornerstone of “Reveal the system to itself”.  I can fully support helping others reveal the system.  I can fully support highlighting repair bids to reveal the system.  I can fully support highlighting the possible unsaid/elephant in the system.  What I am still not completely understanding is the impact/value of a leader potentially labeling the system and impacting the system in negative ways.  For example, I asked a deeper question to the instructors.  After some discussion, the instructors asked the system “what are you sensing”… words such as friction were highlighted.  If I wasn’t as strong as I was, the system (being creative and intelligent) was telling me to stop asking questions.  Is that healthy?  Or what should leaders be doing to help the system evolve.
  • This round of the concept was very challenging for me in a different way. I don’t want to get into specifics to honor the group. What I will highlight is that I found myself feeling “I don’t know if I fit in this community as a whole”. If a general concept was stated such as “you can think your dreams into reality”, sure I can get behind this concept in many many ways. For example, saying I’m sensational until I believe it. Yet, I’m still the individual that will consider the dangerous aspects of oversimplification or edge cases. Telling a woman, who is infertile, that if she just positively thinks she will be pregnant, it will happen…well, is incredibly dangerous and hurtful. Thoughts don’t always create the outcome. Now again, this is an edge case and I can understand the main concept. Yet, I feel responsible to highlight these cases as well as to explore them for a deeper understanding – however in doing so, I alienate myself as “the naysayer” or “not getting it”, “just missing my potential because I won’t just let go and trust”, etc. For me, this is not being contrary or not supportive of the concepts – it’s going deeper into the complexity of humans. My ease of being at choice with doing or not doing something does not mean I’m judging whether there is value in you doing or not doing the same thing. We are all special snowflakes – to be honored for our differences. This has really reminded me to be diligent in dreaming people up in my teams, classes, etc.
  • Oh and I still don’t know the value of starting the class singing row row row your boat. It was never explained – or I missed it.

What I am looking forward to the last class to dig deeper on:

  • I’m taking the last class with a completely new group of people (with one exception that is also coming from the Toronto class). I was a little sad to not finish this week with the rest but I’m also looking forward to experiencing what is different, what is the same, what happens without the perceptions, etc.
  • The integration aspect of these tools and experiencing combinations. I have already been thinking about difference applications and will be excited to hear the possibilities. As I’m sure this will also deepen my understanding.

All that said, I’m looking forward to the last next class.

What did you enjoy most about ORSC Path?

Tricia Broderick

Tricia Broderick

Tricia Broderick is a leadership and organizational advisor. Her transformational leadership at all levels of an organization, ignites growth of leaders and high performing teams to deliver quality outcomes. Tricia has more than twenty years of experience in the software development industry. She is a highly-rated trainer, coach, facilitator and motivational keynote speaker. Beyond her extensive knowledge and skills, her biggest offering is inspiring people to believe anything is possible.

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