Group Facilitation, Training and Coaching for Individuals and Organizations.

I’ve designed these services to strengthen the facilitative leadership and the collaborative capacity of leaders and organizations.

Professional Group Facilitation

Consensus-based Strategic Planning - Sierra Circle Consulting engages leaders, boards, and management teams in a unique a unique non-linear strategic planning process that builds consensus and ownership, and energizes commitment from individuals and teams to implement the action plans. 

I use highly participative techniques for systems-based planning, creative thinking, and consensus-based decision  making that create practical visions, clear goals, broaden perspectives, open lines of communication and  motivate people to adapt to change while honoring the cultures, perspectives, talents and diverrsity of all involved.

Experiencing consensus is deeply energizing and provides a way for us to act in concert with each other.

Consensus-based Strategic Planning tailored to suit the specific needs of your group, organization or coalition:

• Can help you with an appreciative inquiry into the assets of your organization or coalition.
• Uses a participatory process to assist you in deciding the priorities of an organization that are based on a long-term practical vision, new ideas and images of possibility
• Will facilitate depth dialogue that discerns the underlying assumptions, patterns, beliefs and issues that hinder the accomplishment of the mission and vision
• Utilizes a system approach while providing a way for the plan to constantly evolve as implementation provides new information, wisdom and learning
• Helps you develop a long range implementation plan with innovative strategies and short-term action plans that can be implemented right away
• Develops authentic consensus that motivates and energizes those who will be implementing the plan
• Initiates a process for healing conflict and old wounds

“The methods assist our minds to openly develop and overcome perceived problems and perspectives so that we may come to manageable actions. The technology creates a collective mind which is greater than any one individual…It’s transformational! ”  Nyla Richardson IT Division, Emory University

Collaborative Action Planning - I facilitate a short-tem practical planning process with those responsible for implementing a project, producing a special event or designing a campaign. They decide together how to accomplish their task using a collective integrated process that includes their description of what success looks like, key actions to make it happen, task team planning, and a calendar of actions and specific individual assignments. Everyone has both the big picture, their specific assignment, and an accountability structure which lightens the load for the team lead, task force coordinator or committee chair.

Strategy Implementation Support - Don’t leave implementation to chance; build it into your ongoing work. We provide monthly check-signals meetings with action team leaders to keep momentum high and ensure implementation moves forward.

Meeting Facilitation - I design and facilitate participative community forums, annual review meetings, focus groups, staff conferences and other organizational events. This frees leaders from having to “run” the meeting so they can focus on content and share ideas and insights as one of the group.

Non-profit Board Development and Retreats - I custom design and facilitate meetings that enable board members to understand their responsibilities, decide how they will carry them out and develop effective ways of working together to support their mission.

“Thank you for your wisdom, insights, and enormous skill working with San Joaquin county. I don’t know of anyone else who would have been directed or skilled enough to keep the “wild horses” from running totally amok through/over the process. Again, thank you!”  Nathana Humphreys, San Joaquin A+ Committee.

Large-Scale Change Meetings - The Technology of Participation (ToP®) methods are foundational to my work. When appropriate, I also facilitate these processes: Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space, and Future Search Conferences.

Transformative Training

ToP® Facilitation Methods -  This seminar will give you three sure-fire methods to fully engage groups in creative dialogue, consensus decision-making, and collaborative action planning. It is a pre-requisite to other ToP® courses.

ToP® Participative Strategic Planning - In this seminar you will learn how to use the basic ToP® methods in an unique non-linear framework that moves a group through five steps to develop a shared vision and breakthrough strategies, building consensus at each step of the way. Go here for more information on the Technology of Participation (ToP®) methods. 

“My experience in the two day public seminar was so posistive: The methods are simple, straightforward and powerful in helping diverse groups to produce tangible results in a short timeframe. They generate and focus energy on achieving common goals.’ Laura Peck, OD Consultant, Kaiser Permanente

Custom-Designed In-House Training and Presentations for organizations or professional association meetings and conferences.

• “Leading Teams Through Turbulent Times” Learn ways to keep your team focused, productive and resilient in stressful times.
• “The Magic of Meetings” - Learn the 5-steps and key elements of designing meaningful productive group meetings. 
• “The Human Side of Change”- Explore the dynamics of change and the transition that people go through when change occurs. Learn the key actions for successfully guiding the human side of organizational change.
• “Healthy Team Dynamics” - The basic dynamics that work groups must have to transform themselves into “real” high performing teams.
• “How to Design and Lead Participative Events” - What it takes to have events that are both effective and fun.

Management Development Off-site Retreats - These retreats are designed to meet the objectives and outcomes you desire such as leadership or team development, strategic planning, or to reward and celebrate outstanding achievement.

Catalytic Coaching and Mentoring

Facilitative Leadership Coaching -in one-on-one or small group settings I work with executives and managers to provide techniques, guidance and support to help them develop a facilitative style and build a more participative culture in their organization.

ToP® Methods Coaching - online and telephone support for ToP® Trainers Network members who want to go deeper into methods application with support from a Mentor Trainer or need just-in-time coaching in designing and facilitating an up-coming complex meeting.

Online and telephone support for group leaders, consultants, facilitators, and trainers who have had ToP® methods training and use them in their organization or with their clients. Coaching can include a review of the skills learned in their ToP®  training, ways to improve or expand their facilitation skills, and support in designing participative events.

Strategic Action Coaching - support for people who work alone (solo entrepreneurs & independent professionals) or with a small group to align their vision, mission and strategies. You will see the big picture, get clarity and focus on your direction, put wheels under your hopes and dreams, and maintain the motivation and momentum to work your plan.

“After only a half-day intensive coaching session with Pat, I went to Singapore confident that I was thoroughly prepared and came back with a signed contract. She’s a real pro!” Nadine Newlight, Principal, Real Foods Club

For more information about responsible participation and facilitation go to my Free Stuff page to find resources, book reviews, and articles that my colleagues and I have written.