Story conference in Melbourne, 7-8 October

Celebrating Story: Bringing People and Work to Life

My friends at Babelfish Group have once again organized a two-day conference this 7th-8th October in Melbourne to explore the use of story and narrative approaches to change across the areas of business, government and community. 

Happening in Melbourne, 07-08 October 2010

At last year's inaugural conference I ran an interactive session called"Shifting the narrative in organizations - why change is NOT like riding a bike" that covered some the brain-based aspects of story, narrative and meaning-making - particularly the neuroscientific reasons why it's so challenging to shift people's narrative in organizations and why change programs often fall apart or fail to take hold as a result (see the full workshop write-up here). 

I really enjoyed people's active participation and discussion, the other workshops I attended were interesting and engaging and of course it was great to meet - and talk! - with other participants.

The program for 2010 looks to be equally diverse and rich with potential insights, so I encourage you to check it out! In addition, this year's conference will once again feature the work of Melbourne Playback Theatre and you can get to know your fellow participants in advance join the Ning community.

For full details and to register, check out the Celebrating Story conference brochure and contact conference organizer Andrew Rixon directly at +61 400 352 809.

And tell him Todd sent ya to enjoy a special discount of about 15% off the going rate!

Update: Story & Narrative Approaches to Change (Conference MELB 8-9 Oct)

There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories. ~ Ursula K. LeGuin

This is a quick update about the two-day Celebrating Story conference happening next Thu-Fri (8-9 October) in Melbourne.

There are still spots available!

Organized by my friends at Babelfish Group, the conference will feature five sets of five parallel sessions (25 sessions in all, plus an Open Space session) to explore the use of story and narrative approaches to change across the areas of business, government and community.

For full details check out the latest conference brochure or contact conference organizer Andrew Rixon directly at +61 400 352 809.

And - tell him Todd sent you!


Shifting the narrative in organizations - why change is NOT like riding a bike

Here's additional information on the session that I'll be presenting at the conference, bright and early on day two (Friday 9AM):

You are invited to a conversation that explores some brain-based aspects of story, narrative and meaning-making. Change invites people to shift their habitual narrative and in most cases provokes a (limbic) survival response, part of the ongoing Battle inside your Brain. The practical challenge is therefore to channel the resulting emotional energy into productive cognitive action and away from reactivity/resistance.

After Todd talks about the latest research in social cognitive neuroscience that explains why it can be so hard to effect behavioural change in organizations and why change programs fail to take hold, we will share an interactive discussion of what works well in practice and what we can do differently to get the results we want.

The best of the session:
• Gain insights into the hard science behind the soft skills in the areas of story, narrative and meaning-making
• Learn practical ways to help people manage the inevitable emotional reaction to change
• Leaders will learn how to communicate in a way that speaks to each person in his/her own "language" and invites people along on the change journey

Hope to see you there - do come up and say hello!
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Story conference in Melbourne, 8-9 October

Celebrating Story: Approaching Change One Story at a Time

There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories. ~ Ursula K. LeGuin

Have you a passion or curiosity around story? Are you a coach, facilitator, change consultant, qualitative researcher, narrative therapist, OD professional, manager or leader? Are you interested in celebrating and sharing ways that you have worked with story? Are you interested in learning more on how others have used story and narrative in their work? Are you seeking inspiration and new ways forward?

My friends at Babelfish Group have organized a two-day conference this 8-9 October in Melbourne to explore the use of story and narrative approaches to change across the areas of business, government and community.

I will be there to run an interactive session on the brain-based aspects of story, narrative and meaning-making (particularly the neuroscientific reasons why it's so challenging to shift people's narrative in organizations and why change programs often fall apart or fail to take hold as a result). Hope to see you there!

To find out more about presentations and other details, check out the conference brochure or contact conference organizer Andrew Rixon directly at +61 400 352 809.

And - tell him Todd sent you!




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Growing Solutions Focus in Australia

On January 30th, 2008 my friend Andrew Rixon and his colleagues at Babelfish Group in Melbourne are holding a workshop on "Solutions Focus for Change".

This one day session introduces participants to some of the main principles of the solution-focused approach - one that informs all the work that I do with my clients in my consultancy and coaching practice and has produced both successful results and highly positive feedback.

The workshop features Paul Z Jackson on his first Australian tour. Paul is a co-author of The Solutions Focus: Making Coaching and Change SIMPLE . It's an exciting opportunity for those of us in Australia to learn more about this simple yet highly effective methodology from the guy who (literally) wrote the book. You can find all the details here.

**NB: if you mention the special rate code "TMC" when you register you'll qualify for a "mate's rate" on this useful and interactive workshop. Hope to see you there!
TM