In my approach I make use of the following methodologies;
Deep Democracy (Myrna Lewis)
This method is about decision-making with attention and appreciation for other (minority) perspectives, not about compromising but about achieving real consensus. Conflicts are dealt with and where possible resolved, and not ignored. Situations may become tense when ideas, which go against the majority point of view, and are not given enough space. In order to prevent escalation and to take advantage of the differences, it is important to identify and deal with a conflict at an early stage.
Non-violent Communication (Marshall Rosenberg)
Non-violent Communication was developed by Marshall Rosenberg (1934-2015). He wondered why some people harden in their contact with those around them. And above all: how others, regardless of the circumstances, are able to establish genuine and empathetic contact with others. Non-violent Communication is also called connecting communication, as a reference to the intention: it is a connection in which everyone's needs are recognised.
Systemic work
Systemic work is about creating awareness about unconscious patterns. The starting point of systemic work is to take the world and reality as it is. Not so much attention is paid to the details, but to the bigger picture, the whole system. Zooming out, instead of zooming in, often provides valuable insights.
Polarisation
Polarisation is not right or wrong, it is natural and human. There have always been and always will be contradictions, both on a personal and on society level. In short: this dynamic is universal. The challenge is to look at what is needed to deal effectively with differences that can cause far-reaching polarisation.
Various dialogue methods and Dialogue for Peaceful Change (DPC)
A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people, in which a free exchange of thoughts takes place, which leads to new insights amongst those involved. Characteristic is that opinions are brought forward that could not have come about without having a dialogue. Real listening is the foundation. There are various methods that can facilitate this, such as Socratic conversation and methods from Dialogue for Peaceful Change (DPC). DPC is developed by practitioners working in national and international conflict environments around the world.
Art of Hosting
The Art of Hosting is a highly effective way of harnessing the collective wisdom and self-organising capacity of groups of any size. This method is based on the assumption that people give their energy and lend their resources to what matters most to them, in work as well as in personal life. The Art of Hosting brings together a variety of powerful conversational processes to invite people to step in and take charge of the challenges they are facing.
Liberating Structures
Liberating Structures provides an alternative way to approach and design how people work together. It provides a menu of thirty-three Liberating Structures to replace or complement conventional practices. They are designed to include everyone in shaping next steps.
