Consulting & Facilitation
catalysing Symmathesic Agency
Seeding Symmathesic Agency
Many change, leadership, OD and education programmes promise results they rarely deliver. Conventional interventions tend to focus on what is absent, not on what is present which means organisations miss the opportunity to make more of what they have.
Alternative approaches are needed to transform financial investment into meaningful benefits. In our experience, this means focusing less on driving people on command towards pre-ordained goals; and more on expanding their capacity for Presence in Action (TM) i.e. having the acuity, agility, fluency and artistry to take fit-for-purpose action amidst unpredictable, uncertain conditions – within the context of their roles and contributions in life. Imbuing this approach is our recognition of Natural Inclusion and the Sufficiency Principle which admits (i.e. acknowledges, accepts as valid and allows in) nature’s life-regenerating dance in which Enough=Enough (Enough Equals Enough).
Nora Bateson (2016:169) coined the term “symmathesize – to generate mutual contextual learning through interaction”. In her doctoral inquiry, Louie has developed this further into the concept of “Symmathesic Agency: the meta-conscious capacity to engage in mutual contextual learning through self-centering interaction in place in space in time” (Gardiner, 2022). This weaves in Nora’s new term “symmathesy/symmathesize” with Louie’s own doctoral insights arising from the use of the P6 Constellation in generating the capacity of Presence in Action – which she suggests – seeds the meta-conscious capacity of Symmathesic Agency. This concept has evolved through deep praxis, informed by a complexity thinking paradigm and the principle of Natural Inclusion (Rayner, 2004, 2016, 2017). Arguably, leaders in any corporate body, public or educational institution would do well to develop Symmathesic Agency, by extending their own and their staff’s capacities to engage with themselves from the inside-out through Presence in Action.
Presence in Action begins within
Presence in Action is a self-centering praxis that resources each of us to safeguard our own trustworthiness and to advocate on our own behalf – not in isolation but in attending to the wellbeing of ourselves, others and the wider world. Increasingly PIA resources us to engage with greater clarity, coherence and confidence.
We hold that groups, communities and organisations cannot rely on a ‘few at the top’ to discern, decide and act well and wisely – as the complexity we face is simply too great and too fast moving. We, therefore, seek to work – not only with formally designated managers and leaders – but with anyone who expresses an interest in developing the capacity for Presence in Action. We recognise that, as more people engage in PIA, collectively, we expand our meta-conscious capacities to exercise Symmathesic Agency (mutual, contextual learning). Together, we become more resilient, resourceful and adaptable.
With this in mind, we work intentionally, collaboratively and consciously with you in real time, on real issues, helping you to attend to the re-generative well-being of you, your stakeholders, organisation(s) and communities.
