Exchange Design

We propose that the Neuroscience of Collaboration & Design GLEN Collaboration start with a six-session Exchange series. These Exchanges will follow the following design:

1. Review the purpose of The Neuroscience of Collaboration & Design, GLEN Collaboration, the overarching question of the Collaboration, conversation guidelines. (5 minutes)
2. Silent guided meditation. (3 minutes)
3. Check-ins (name, location, evocative questions that will differ by Exchange; the first question would relate to interest in the Collaboration) (or use breakout groups and simultaneous note taking in Google docs.) (20 minutes)
4. Presentation regarding the topic of the Exchange. (15 minutes)
5. Few moments of quiet to reflect on a question and then a go around (or use of break out groups and simultaneous note taking in Google docs.) (25 minutes)
6. Presentation regarding foundational and transformational practices, skills and design principles. (10 minutes)
7. Share conversation question and finish with one minute of silence.
8. A go around (or use of breakout groups and simultaneous note taking in Google docs.) (20 minutes)
9. Share takeaways or questions to explore. Suggest readings and explorations between each session. (20 minutes)

Six Exchanges sessions are part of this series -- Exchange Session 1: Change the Brain for Good (space inside) (Feb. 12, 2019) In this initial Exchange, we will introduce the overarching question of this Collaboration and its core model. The overarching question is How can we consciously evolve the human brain (throughout the body) so that we can talk better together with diverse stakeholders about complex issues? The core model has three elements: interior space, relational space, and space around us. Together, we will consider:

1. What we mean by “space;”
2. Four influential brain networks and the impact of contemplative practices on them;
3. Introduce an initial, short list of foundational and transformational practices, skills and design principles intended to change the brain for good;
4. Explore how we can pay attention to and understand our personal interiors such that we can handle complexity, respond to overwhelm and emotional hijacking, and not be distracted and upset by waves of intrusive media and work demands

In between Exchange #1 and Exchange #2, co-hosts will invite a few participants to work with them to draft an initial essay to synthesize what we learned in Exchange #1. Exchange Session 2: A. Care about and Learn with Others (space between us and our worldviews) (March 12, 2019) In this Second Exchange, we will explore how people (us!) with different worldviews, ideologies, and perspectives can converse constructively, even compassionately. Together, we will consider:

1. Worldviews that divide us;
2. Impact of conflicting worldviews on the brain and body along with our perceptions, thoughts, and behavior;
3. Introduce an initial, short list of foundational and transformational practices, skills and design principles intended to help us care about and learn with others;
4. What each of us does or could do to transform the space between us and our worldviews in order to work together to effectively solve tough issues

In between Exchange #2 and Exchange #3, co-hosts will invite a few participants to work with them to draft an initial essay to synthesize what we learned in Exchange #2. Exchange Session 3:  B. Care about and Learn with Others (space between us and our identities) (April 16, 2019) In this Third Exchange, we will explore how diverse stakeholders with multiple identities (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, education level, organizational sector and/or function) can be at the same table and engage one another in constructive and meaningful ways. Together, we will consider:

1. Equality and equity;
2. Levels and dimensions of racial and gender bias: personal, interpersonal, institutional, and structural;
3. How these levels and dimensions undermine equitable and meaningful collaboration;
4. Introduce an initial, short list of foundational and transformational practices, skills and design principles intended to help us care about and learn with others;
5. What each of us does or could do to transform the space between us and our identities in order to work together to effectively to solve tough issues

In between Exchange #3 and Exchange #4, co-hosts will invite a few participants to work with them to draft an initial thought piece or essay to synthesize what we learned in Exchange #3. Exchange Session 4: Create Receptive and Generative Fields within, among and around Us (May 14, 2019) In this Fourth Exchange, we will explore how to create receptive and generative fields within, among, and around us when complexity outstrips our ability to understand and respond constructively to what is going on. Together we will consider: 1. The neurophysiological and physical understanding of “fields”;

2. Various views on “fields” and how they get created;
3. Introduce an initial, short list of foundational and transformational practices, skills and design principles intended to help us create receptive and generative fields;
4. What internal and external states and skills co-create receptive and generative fields

In between Exchange #4 and Exchange #5, co-hosts will invite a few participants to work with them to draft an initial essay to synthesize what we learned in Exchange #4. Exchange Session 5: Map Current Approaches to or Models of Change (June 18, 2019) In this Fifth Exchange, we will investigate current approaches to change or models of change, the world views underlying them, and how human neuropsychology and field theory support or challenge these models. Together we will consider:

1. Current approaches to or models of change;
2. Worldviews and theories of change underlying these approaches and models;
3. Whether and how current knowledge about human neuropsychology and field theory supports or challenges these approaches;
4. How our approaches to change could usefully change

In between Exchange #5 and Exchange #6, co-hosts will invite a few participants to work with them to draft an initial essay to synthesize what we learned in Exchange #5. Exchange Session 6: Synthesize Transformational Practices, Skills, and Design Principles  (July 30, 2019) In this sixth and final Exchange, we will use the Four Process Flows (attention, energy, information, and operations), to provide feedback on and make additions to the practices, skills, and design principles identified in the first five Exchanges. Together we will consider:

1. Whether these practices, skills and design principles could help us consciously evolve the human brain (throughout the body) so that we can talk better together with diverse stakeholders about complex issues;
2. What transformational practices you have tried and what has been the impact;
3. What we are learning about the next generation of collaborative processes;
4. What’s next for this Collaboration.

Exchange Session 7: Document and Share What We Have Learned  (August 19, 2019) In this additionally added session, we will consider how best to document and share what we learned from the Neuropsychology of Collaboration Exchange Series. What are the possibilities?

• February 12th / Exchange Session 1: Change the Brain for Good (space inside)
• March 12th / Exchange Session 2: A. Care about and Learn with Others (space between us and our world views)
• April 16th / Exchange Session 3: B. Care about and Learn with Others (space between us and our identities)
• May 14th / Exchange Session 4: Create Receptive and Generative Fields within, among and around Us
• June 18th / Exchange Session 5: Map Current Approaches to or Models of Change
• July 30th / Exchange Session 6: Synthesize Transformational Practices, Skills and Design Principles
• August 19th / Exchange Session 7: Document and Share What We Learned