The Winding Staircase has embraced the philosophy and principles of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and Open Space Technology (OST) as core frameworks in our approach in enabling the growth and transformation of both individuals and organisations and communities.  Both are based on an understanding of adaptive, living systems (rather than mechanistic systems of organising).

This means we see that the key to individual and cultural transformation lies in identifying and leveraging ‘what gives life’ to the person or system, and exploring aspirations as genuine possibilities for the future that need to be fostered.

It is also core to our approach to view transformative learning as involving a mix of Outer Work and Inner Work.  The Outer involves changes in behaviour, systems, structures and strategies, while the Inner involves shifts in world view, values, beliefs, self talk and emotions.

Individually, through coaching, we take a whole person ‘ontological’ approach to human learning and development involving the person’s entire ‘way of being’ (ie their language, emotion and body).  We facilitate coaching conversations that enable individuals to gain increasing clarity and resourcefulness necessary for personal achievement.

Organisationally, through appreciative consulting, we similarly facilitate spaces that engage both heads AND hearts in the task of creating new futures together and increasing performance.  We support organisations and communities to identify and leverage their strengths, rather than focusing on what is not working, and solving problems.

This ‘strength-based approach’ does not ignore challenges and difficulties, but does reconnect people with they already know and have and then builds from there.  It means inviting people to remember and rediscover the ‘best of what is’: to 'stalk the flow' and 'fan the flame' of what is working and life-giving.  Our consulting approach, therefore, means we work with you to get clear about:

• What's really happening that requires support.
• What is already working well that needs to be honoured and further strengthened.
• The possibility you most want to see realised.
• The options for how we partner together to get you from where you are today, to where you want to be.
• How you would know our work together has been successful.

As we become increasingly clear together on these issues (and many others) we design a specific process, program or initiative to meet your needs and desired outcomes.  Drawing on our wide range of experiences, tools and intellectual property, you get the right program or initiative for you. 

Action-Learning

Typically, cultural transformation involves a some form of organisational learning together, in a program that links strategically with existing practice and systems.  A core competence of TWS is the design and implementation of simple but effective action-learning programs that are aligned with broader organisational strategies and that ensure maximum relevance, learning uptake, application and sustainability.  Key action-learning principles that guide us include:

• “People learn best from what they are doing and they have an unlimited capacity to learn from experience but a limited capacity to learn from being taught.”
• “Learning involves a cycle of action and reflection (`) and reflection is a necessary precursor to effective action.”
• “Individuals learn with and from each other, by working on their own particular situations and reflecting on their experience together.”

Our action-learning approaches provide individuals and groups powerful frameworks for genuinely self-directed, just-in-time, organic yet intentional learning.  They help bridge the normal gaps between off-the-job learning and back-on-the-job implementation, between action and reflection, and between individual change and group change.  Our experience is that action-learning helps to ensure maximum relevance and learning uptake, development of in-house capacity and enduring application and effectiveness.

Partnering Together

Our beliefs about the power of relationship and conversation extend to the way we like to work with you.  We do not want to be just ‘contractors’.  We seek to work in a mutually enriching and collaborative long-term partnership, and we seek clients who share this view.  We take seriously the investment of time and energy in understanding and getting to know you and/or your organisation.
 
While we bring considerable expertise in facilitation and coaching, our associates show up co-learners, not experts.  We bring who we are to our work, and our approach incorporates values of integrity, compassion, playfulness, humour, courage and spirituality.