Capacity Circles
Mission.
To provide ever evolving methods of supporting increasing constructive emotional resilience for individuals, organizations and communities to influence the creation of a sustainable and healthy society.
Capacity Circles provide a space for people to build personal and relational capacity, develop emotional intelligence, build resilience and avoid burnout. Circles educate on self-care and establish a safe, non-hierarchical place in which all present have the opportunity to speak without interruptions. Experienced facilitators lead Circles with participatory practice methods which hold the Capacity Circles fundamentals and tap into the collective wisdom.
Capacity Circles Fundamentals.
- The power of being held and witnessed
- Storytelling as a modality
- Circle work
- Systems Centered Groups
- Building capacity
- Building resilience
- Practicing/Developing emotional intelligence
- Avoiding burnout and cultivating wellbeing
Capacity Circles support people in preventing burnout and cultivate personal wellbeing through sharing stories, challenges and setbacks as well as joys and successes through receiving support, coaching and nurturing of a facilitated group meeting in a circle.
Objectives.
- Provide support for people experiencing high stress and/or burnout
- Connect people around the topics of personal wellbeing, personal resilience and self-care (physically, emotionally and mentally)
- Providing “the container” (literal and psychological space) to hold authentic conversations supporting the journey
- Equipping participants with coaching, tools, and practices to manage stress and avoid burnout
- Empowering participants to live their lives with new skills
- The rippling effect becomes a natural phenomena carrying the message across other social circles
Format.
Formation: Circle of chairs
Time: 1-2 hours (The more time allotted, the deeper the work potential)
Participants: 2-12 persons (If more people are added, more time is needed)
Facilitator establishes the ground rules and intention for the day
Ground Rules.
1. Listen from the heart with respect and kindness. “Listen with attention and speak with intention.”
2. Each person gets a chance to talk from their heart with respect and kindness.
3. One person talks at a time from their own experience from personal stories without interruptions.
4. Speak with “I” statements based on somatic information in the moment instead of examples or philosophies.
5. Hold disagreements with the intent to integrate. Reactions are held until an appropriate time and response has arisen. We are here to witness and be witnessed.
6. Hold the intent to speak concisely from within the present moment.
7. You may pass, but please share what you can.
Process.
1. Opening comments by facilitator – The facilitator welcomes the group and presents the ground rules and the intention for the focus of the discussion for the day. There may or may not be use of a talking piece.
2. First round – Introductions
3. Second round – First question or reflection
4. Third round – Deepening the conversation or share takeaways
5. Fourth round – Closure/Check out
6. Closing and thanks (Request feedback)
NOTE: More rounds can be added if time allows. Also, we request feedback after each circle in the form of either a questionnaire or electronic means.
The primary approach is based on a tested set of methods tapping into the collective intelligence of the group and mobilizes the process of an emerging outcome, rather than previously determined results. The creation of a professionally and responsibly held safe space radically assists people to open up and move through a transformative process yielding measurable outcomes as well as an improved sense of wellbeing.
Format.
People will gather to share stories, challenges, and successes in a ridged format led by a trained facilitator. That format follows the expertise of the facilitator to pose topics and inquiries to focus the discussion which will be maintained within the given time frame so that each person has equal time to share, support and be supported. Each participant will be engaged to share personal perspectives within the topic, be respectful in all behavior, and develop non-judgmental deep listening.
It is assumed that there is a healing power in being held and witnessed and that utilizing storytelling as a modality speaks to a deep human way of being in community. The circle work is loosely based on an indigenous practice known as a talking circle. Yet the work goes beyond the ritual of a talking circle and frames the interaction through psychological paradigms such as Yvonne Agazarian’s systems centered group work that postulates that living human systems survive, develop, and transform from simple to complex through discriminating and integrating information while in relationship with others.
Emotional Intelligence is the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. (google) 7 Jan 2020)) It includes:
- Self-Awareness.
- Self-Regulation.
- Motivation.
- Empathy.
- Social Skills.
Emotional Intelligence provides the internal monitoring necessary to be able to adapt to social situations and maintain emotional health.
Why is EQ important?
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence at Work. EQ will bring your company more engaged, committed employees. … According to emotional intelligence, or EQ, success is strongly influenced by personal qualities such as perseverance, self-control and skill in getting along with others.May 8, 2015
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence at Work – Entrepreneur
https://www.entrepreneur.com › article
Develop EQ
5 Ways To Develop Your Emotional Intelligence
1. Manage your negative emotions. When you’re able to manage and reduce your negative emotions, you’re less likely to get overwhelmed. Easier said than done, right? Try this: If someone is upsetting you, don’t jump to conclusions. Instead, allow yourself to look at the situation in a variety of ways. Try to look at things objectively so you don’t get riled up as easily. Practice mindfulness at work, and notice how your perspective changes.
2. Be mindful of your vocabulary. Focus on becoming a stronger communicator in the workplace.Emotionally intelligent people tend to use more specific words that can help communicate deficiencies, and then theyimmediately work to address them. Had a bad meeting with your boss? What made it so bad, and what can you do to fix it next time? When you can pinpoint what’s going on, you have a higher likelihood of addressing the problem, instead of just stewing on it.
3. Practice empathy. Centering on verbal and non-verbal cues can give you invaluable insight into the feelings of your colleagues or clients. Practice focusing on others and walking in their shoes, even if just for a moment. Empathetic statements do not excuse unacceptable behavior, but they help remind you that everyone has their own issues.
4. Know your stressors. Take stock of what stresses you out, and be proactive to have less of it in your life. If you know that checking your work email before bed will send you into a tailspin, leave it for the morning. Better yet, leave it for when you arrive to the office.
5. Bounce back from adversity. Everyone encounters challenges. It’s how you react to these challenges that either sets you up for success or puts you on the track to full on meltdown mode. You already know that positive thinking will take you far. To help you bounce back from adversity, practice optimism instead of complaining. What can you learn from this situation? Ask constructive questions to see what you can take away from the challenge at hand.
Enkindle Global
Mission.
Our entire purpose and focus are about helping YOU prevent burnout to cultivate wellbeing and resilience individually or in your organization.
My part.
Facilitation Specialist and Co-Founder of Enkindle Global, a company that builds sustainable work forces through training executive leaders how to prevent burnout as well as creating bespoke trainings for individuals, groups and events. I have a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability from Blekinge Tekniska Högskola. I also hold 24 years of experience as a holistic practitioner working as a massage therapist, health educator and life coach. Application of sustainable systems thinking and health to people, groups and communities to facilitate change through participatory practices as an Elemental Creative is my forte.
Wilcox Works 