The relentless waves of disturbance and uncertainty accentuate that ours is a fragile and fully interdependent world. Dominant ways of operating are not only challenged but also questioned, if not crumbling.
We are presented with an opportunity to reflect deeply on what is essential and important. We are experiencing a time of immense possibility for all of us to bring out the best in ourselves, our relationships, and the wider community of fellow human beings.
How we deal with this moment determines our future. Today tests our global responsibility and ability to collaborate and care for each other.
At GRLI we believe collective, ongoing inquiry into Global Responsibility is more urgent than ever. Since 2003 our community has stood out for collective learning and for initiating deep systemic change across three areas of inquiry: how we live and make a living, how we learn and facilitate learning, and how we lead and for what purpose. These questions come into stark focus through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To reaffirm our approach of relational innovation over and above stand-alone solutions, we offer a number of opportunities for participation and deepening of relationships at the me, we and all of us level:
- GRLI Water cooler conversations
In the coming weeks and months the core team will host regular slots for individuals and small groups to check-in with us and each other. At the water cooler you are welcome to reconnect with the core team and with others in order to share what you are witnessing and interpreting during this time. These open space meetings will be lightly held and present opportunities for coming to grips with the “here and now”, and where relevant, provide input into our strategic direction. Water cooler slots may be booked directly on our calendar with sessions starting next week.
- GRLI Town Hall gathering
We are scheduling our next community gathering where partners, associates and friends can share and hear what others are doing that may be helpful to their own practice and context. Our hope is to galvanise and collectively activate GRLI’s continuance as a “think-and-act enabler” — a global community of responsible action.
Some of the questions proposed for the Town Hall gathering include:
- What are the emergent and innovative strategies and tactics employed in this time and context?
- What are we learning about dealing with blocks and barriers?
- When this is over or has abated, how can we mobilise our learning to be proactively disruptive for a different kind of future?
Please complete the GRLI Town Hall Q2 2020 Doodle to stay in the know and participate.
- GRLI Deans & Directors roundtable
The GRLI Deans & Directors Cohort is now complemented with an online roundtable scheduled for 29–30 April. Tickets for existing participants, partners and associates will be significantly discounted in recognition of the unprecedented times we experience.
Now entering its third year, the Cohort is a model for supporting senior-level collaborative learning, in the service of achieving institutional innovation and systemic change.
During the roundtable Deans will build, strengthen and secure the supportive community of their peers by:
- Sharing strategies and tactics that help bring about valued change in their respective contexts and institutions;
- Debriefing on the value of the cohort gatherings and considering improvements in efficiency and effectiveness with reference to the raison d’etre — “Deans as Agents of Change”;
- Addressing the issue of impact within and beyond the cohort, including how to develop in accordance with the changing and emergent requirements that Deans deal with.
Register for the Deans & Directors Roundtable. Please note that discount codes are circulated separately.
- Save the date: Our 2020 GRLI AGM
Saul Klein of the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business kindly invited us to convene our 2020 GRLI AGM in conjunction with the Victoria Forum “Bridging Divides: Turf, Truth and Trust” taking place November 12–14, 2020. Please save the date.
“When results seem impossible, focus on relationships. When results become possible, relationships allow them to accelerate impact.” — Arnold Smit, GRLI Partner and Advisor
Please take care of yourself and your loved ones — we undertake to continue our work with strengthened resolve and to work alongside you, our valued partners, associates and friends, as always.
We are here, now.
