Professional Development Workshops and Artful Inquiry

What is artful inquiry?

Artful Inquiry is a way for individuals and groups to explore ideas imaginatively and strategically through a range of innovative, inventive, resourceful, reflective and artistic processes. Artful Inquiry offers a different perspective, new insights, personal expression and multiple ways of learning and understanding.  It allows an opening up of issues and themes rather than closing down. It requires curiosity, thoughtful risk-taking, courage, a willingness to suspend judgement and an ability to tolerate ambiguity. 

Cathryn Lloyd, Principal, Maverick Minds

                  

Workshops and Events

Maverick Minds workshops provide a space for action, discussion, reflection and action. Participants work experientially, interactively and creatively on key needs to explore, discuss, reflect and take action.  The following workshops use Artful Inquiry as a catalyst for learning, development and transformation. You can select from one of our existing workshops listed below or collaborate with us to create your own learning programs and workshops. Maverick Minds can develop and deliver half day, full day and longer term engagements.  The workshops promote:

• active listening.
• new ideas.
• understanding and appreciation of conflict.
• shared vision.
• improved communication skills.
• ways to reflect.
• the ability to improvise.
• an ability to work collaboratively.
• trust in one's self and others.
• connectivity with others.
• self awareness and confidence.
• seeing and understanding the bigger picture.
• exploration of organisational identity and culture.

The Art of Communication and Observation

Art has been used by human beings for centuries to communicate, express, and represent our ideas and emotions. This workshop starts with an interactive dialogue about art as a form of communication.    Participants explore a range of arts-based activities to communicate with colleagues non verbally. The focus is on sensing and feeling, self-awareness, building connectivity with colleagues to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the people around us.  This workshop can take place in a gallery/museum environment where participants have the opportunity to engage directly with the art. 

This workshop has been conducted with project managers and engineers. Engagement with the art combined with key questions and reflective dialogue provided a forum for participants to explore their professional work and relationships.

Change and Culture Shifts

For most people and businesses culture shifts and changes do not happen quickly or easily.  Managing change well is essential for the development of the organisation and the wellbeing of people.  If your organisation is undergoing change Maverick Minds can assist your organisation and your people in exploring the change you want to be.  Culture Shift workshops can support the often ambiguous and messy process that can take place during change by assisting people in making meaning and generating understanding. We offer a creative investigation into the concept of change.

Professional Artistry: the art of knowing what to do when you don't know what to do

What do you do when you don't know what to do? Things don't always go to plan. Having the confidence to improvise and take the initiative in times of not knowing is empowering. This workshop allows participants the opportunity to think about how they might respond and what they might do when the unexpected happens. In times of not knowing the ability to take think about and take risks, trust ourselves and those around us becomes crucial. This is a creative and exploratory workshop designed to tap into peoples imagination and professional artistry for dealing with times of uncertainty and ambiguity. This workshops provides an opportunity for you to step back and reflect on your professional work. It provides a space for renewal and to think about how you want to grow professionally.

Conversation Cafes

Conversation or World Cafes enable groups to participate in conversations that matter. The design of the cafe allows people to discuss questions and issues of importance in a unique way. It provides an opportunity for collaborative dialogue, sharing knowledge and discovering new opportunities for action. The concept was originally designed by Juanita Brown and David Isaacs. For information about this interesting process take a look at the facilitation page on this website.

Exploring the Creative Process

This interactive workshop explores some fundamentals ideas around Creative Thinking.  It allows participants to reflect on their own creativity and develop some new strategies for thinking and working creatively.  We look at some of the key characteristics of creative people which include the tolerance for ambiguity, self confidence, reflection and risk-taking. The workshop provides participants with the opportunity to reflect on their professional roles through a range of creative processes and how they can apply their creative capabilities in the business environment. 

Artful Approaches to Understanding and Managing Conflict and Artful Approaches to Conflict Resolution Practice

The workshop provides an opportunity for participants to understand and explore situations of conflict.  The workshop combines an exploration of the theoretical concepts of conflict and draws on creative processes to provide an experiential learning situation.  We explore the power of dialogue and deep listening to assist in understanding conflict.

Networking Events, Conferences and Away Days

• If you are organising a workplace conference Cathryn can deliver interactive sessions to help your make your conference a memorable learning experience and great networking event. 
  
• Maverick Minds can organise a unique Away Day or retreat for your organisation.  We offer creative experiences in different locations.
• You could also consider working with Maverick Minds as part of your corporate events with your clients - something a little different to the traditional networking event.