In this three-session Exchange being offered by the Women of the GLEN, we will explore what it means to authorize women leaders. Hosted by Kathia Laszlo, Gwen Wuesthof, Mary Gelinas and Gisela Wendling. Together we will take a close look at what might inspire a desire to be authorized or to authorize others. This desire might originate from wanting to say “yes” to a personal calling, being invited by spirit or the ineffable, or being asked by a community to lead. We will investigate how such authorization might support leading with a sense of integrity, purpose, and listening for inner and outer guidance. All of this will be explored through a process or ritual of authorization we create through this Exchange. We want to authorize ourselves and each other to step more fully into leading in this world. All women of The GLEN are welcome.

This project is supporting the creation of a Mukungule Nature Preserve in Zambia and its affiliated budding enterprises aimed at creating a sustainable local economy. We are also exploring the challenges and learning from cross cultural collaboration. It grows out of a series of Exchanges on this topic led by Marc Tognotti.

Working with tribal peoples in remote areas of southern Africa on behalf of a US donor, Marc Tognotti found himself in some challenging predicaments-some amusing, some threatening-that ultimately became occasions for rich learnings about himself, others, and the dynamics of power imbalance and cross-cultural connection. He'll share stories and reflections, and invite you to share yours, as we seek to identify strategies for fostering shared inspiration, collaboration and community empowerment across wide cultural differences.

We will use Ronita Johnson’s one-woman show Forgivable: Race, Rage and Religion and the Extraordinary Edge to Freedom as a backdrop for this exchange to inquire about present day realities at the intersection of race, rage and religion and the role that coming to forgiveness can play to support social healing ranging from healing personal relationships, to healing communities and cultures. For those who will not be able to see her performance in person, a link to a video of her performance will be available before the Exchange begins.

In anticipation of the annual in-person GLEN Community Gathering, July 15 to 17, this online Exchange co-hosted by Karolina Iwa, Gisela Wendling and David Sibbet is a space for our International GLEN Members to also come together. The intention is to discover together more about who we are, explore what it means to be part of this global network outside of the US, and to create a shared space to reflect on “What We Stand For?” which is also the theme of the community gathering. The harvest from this Exchange will be shared with the community that is gathering in person via a shorter zoom Exchange. Please participate and help us shape our purposeful global connectedness. We will be glad for you to be there.

In an environment where leaders are expected to be visionary and decisive, how can space be created to say “I don’t know, let’s talk about it?” How can the capacity to hold open the state of not-knowing as a means to evoke collective wisdom and allow emergence to achieve the normalcy and legitimacy usually accorded to decisiveness? What makes it so difficult to stand in the space of not-knowing? Gervase Bushe, co-editor of Dialogic Organization Development, and Tom Everill, former President and CEO of Northwest Center have been attempting to distill some generalizable principles and practices of what they call Generative Leadership. They are encountering gnarly questions such as these, and invite you to join them in a learning conversation along with Co-Directors of The GLEN Gisela Wending & David Sibbet.

New forms of organization are emerging as technology intersects with neuroscience, living system theory and increasing understanding that large, maximization oriented

Creating the future we want to leave for future generations must extend beyond traditional leadership. The world needs leaders who are wise, leaders making decisions that are good for society as well as for companies, management that serves a higher purpose, and consultants who are committed to create lasting benefits for the world.

The Women of the GLEN Collaboration is inviting any GLEN woman to participate in a special on-line circle as part of our face-to-face meeting this November 9. Sign up here to attend that session. The Women of the GLEN Collaboration was created to engage in a process that mentors and helps us call forward our way of knowing and what we know, give voice to what we bring, and link our wisdom with our leadership in the world. In the spirit of this intention we are gathering in circle in-person in Petaluma, 35 miles north of San Francisco. The on-lne portion will be a chance to check-in and a part of the longer cicle.