Catalysing systemic change around a particular issue or topic is complex work, a match for the system you’re addressing and activating. There has been some degree of codification, theory and study around which approaches may help us do so. One of the approaches that has gained traction over the past years is the Lab approach, which in this context means bringing together a variety of stakeholders to co-create prototype solutions to complex challenges.

This is an overview of our core methods and awareness-based tools and approaches. It also includes links to proven practice tips, case studies and experiences from our facilitation in and for systemic change and social innovation.

Als Teilnehmende des Catalyst Labs werden wir reich beschenkt mit Eindrücken, Inputs, Begegnungen und Emotionen. Im Anschluss das Wahrgenommene einzusortieren, zu integrieren und zu spüren, wo unser Fokus Achtsamkeit fordert, ist nicht immer einfach. Die Begegnung mit der belebten Natur gibt – zumindest mir - Antworten darauf.

Triads are a dialogue tool to share experiences and insights, witnessing and offering feedback in groups of 3.

The CRM is a process for collective sense- making, typically used after co-sensing activities (sensing journeys or dialogue interviews). While 3D mapping gives a high level perspective from multiple angles, CRM allows participants to begin the process of physically embodying an experience.

Anyone can go through or host a u.lab journey, which is a 3 month process based on Theory U including an online MOOC complemented with the heart of it: offline deep and personal encounters with oneself and others.

What does good and clear conversation take? There is no “one single most” important thing but one aspect we are often unaware of is the setting in which we communicate or the stage for our communication if you use the analogy of conversation as a performance.

If your mind is very preoccupied with thinking and you feel disembodied (e.g. like a head walking around), this is an effective way of arriving at the moment by feeling your body. This is a practice for embodiment and groundedness, also called mindfulness.

Naturally, in life we come to feel stuck in situations - be it in our professional or personal lifes, be it due to what feels like internal or external forces. Patterns in relationships with a boss, colleagues or family members tend to repeat until we change perspective.

Facilitation is the art of unlocking the power of a group through dialogue and the pursuit of clarity, engaging active participation and embracing the richness of diverse perspectives. Through facilitation the multi-faceted potential of a team is released.” - Definition by the International Association of Facilitators

Understanding human behavior in groups is highly useful in design experience based events since group dynamics play a role in any human interaction. FIRO® is a comprehensive and widely-used theory of interpersonal relations created by Will Schutz.

For initiating any form of collaboration (incl. meetings, events, dialogues, trainings) a powerful calling & guiding question is essential for laying a healthy foundation for fruitful collaboration and meaningful outcomes.

If you want to discover and learn as a group what it means when e.g. Arnold Mindell talks about the essence level, and you want to make the energetical connection between people tangible and feelable for them, the Village Process is a great exercise to approach this learning.

Joharis Window is a very simple picture, that helps a group to understand the idea of giving feedback and sharing on a deeper level. Joharis window therefore help us to build community and the muscles we need to engage in real authentic dialogue with each other.

Here are a few good reminders to follow when you want to craft a powerful question.

Creating and Facilitating a Dialogue Evening is an Art and is a learning by doing process. It cannot be planned or prepared for all the emerging questions, issues, unknowns and possible possibilites. An inner presence and openness is crucial.

A Medicine Walk is a conscious time for diving deep into a specific question, to enter a state of deep listening and to be in touch with nature as a powerful mirror.

Successfully catalysising systemic change requires many abilities, skills, internal and external pre-conditions. In the context of the Catalyst Lab, we have created a first iteration of the Catalyst Spiderweb. It is a tool for self-inquiry and assessment and defines 12 aspects the Catalysts can rate themselves on.

A picture is worth a thousand words, and equally - one sculpture or gesture can share a lot about how we are actually feeling. Perhaps, we even uncover something we had not verbalised.

Especially when working with big groups, hand signs can be very useful to share information without interrupting the process or take decisions swiftly.