‘What I Stand For’
a discussion that makes space for people’s beliefs
What is it for?
Working with stakeholders, a lot of the conversations are around how we might address challenges together. Carving out space for individuals to choose to share what they personally believe in can reveal great insights into what they’re all about.
Impact
This simple discussion celebrates people’s expertise and honors the physical and emotional labor they put into the work — “Compassion that leads to action requires us to be vulnerable and brave.”–Monica Sharma.
What does it look like?
The researcher or facilitator asks participants of the exercise to stand one by one. Participants each name what they believe in and what they stand for (hidden or known) in their work.
Participants’ State of Mind
vulnerable, expressive
Level of Complexity (1–5)
3
Time for Participation
20 to 40 min
Source
Adapted to Matter–Mind Studio from Monica Sharma, Radical Transformational Leadership: Strategic Action for Change Agents.
Also practiced in close collaboration with and facilitated by a personal friend and friend of the studio, Kate McEntee, for an Equity-Centered Design workshop. Summer 2018 for Service Design Melbourne.
