Kindling

References to ‘fire’ can be found in a wide variety of contexts today. In education, it is not uncommon to find references to the ideal that education should be about kindling flames, not filling pails. Terms like ‘burnout’, ‘fire-fighting’ and a ‘slow burn’ pop up in organisations of all kinds and we will know from our own experience what it means to be running ‘too hot’ or ‘too cold’ in our roles, relationships and orientation to life. These are not mere metaphors. Understanding fire in ourselves, in our organisations and in each other is a key to knowing when we need to feed it or when we need to contain it. This workshop explores kindling in its many dimensions, starting from the embodied task of lighting a fire using the timeless technology of a firebow, hearthboard and spindle. Undertaken collaboratively, kindling goes to the heart of what it means to work together, what it takes to kindle a flame and what it means to keep it going. Kindling is a situated process – it is undertaken at a particular time, in specific places, with local materials and conditions. However, kindling is also more than just a local event, it helps us re-connect with those sparks of meaning and purpose that weave throughout our personal and professional lives.

Duration and format: The workshop can run in a full morning, though longer periods of time are preferable (a full day or even 2 days). This workshop is delivered on-site. Suitable sites are those with a courtyard, open playground, woodland or green campus. Sites are agreed together and where feasible a site visit is undertaken before the workshop.

Cost: Cost depends on length and format. Please contact Jonathan Code to discuss.

Facilitator: Jonathan Code. Jonathan has taught this workshop in a wide variety of contexts and countries. Kindlers have included agricultural apprentices, young adults in land-based learning settings, adults in organisations on staff development programmes, academics in conferences, teachers, school leaders, and interested members of the general public. Jonathan’s EdD research centres on the theme of ‘kindling’ in education and how it features in personal, professional and organisational development. Jonathan is a Senior Lecturer with Crossfields Learning. Please contact Jonathan Code for further information about this workshop. jonathan.code@crossfieldsinstitute.com

The following workshops focus on specific aspects of personal, professional and organisational development. These workshops have been developed and refined over a number of years and offer an excellent way to address specific needs within an organisation. All workshops are highly appropriate for Waldorf schools, and each can be tailored to the specific individual context.

1. Working with complexity and uncertainty in the workplace

This workshop addresses the increasingly common experience of uncertainty, complexity and anxiety in the work place. Participants explore the origins of these emotions in themselves, how they can effect relations with colleagues, and how to use practical tools to transform them.

2. Care, creativity and courage in the workplace

In this workshop participants explore the three qualities of care, creativity and courage and their role in creating healthy work environments. For a genuinely caring professional environment there must be courage to face the uncomfortable and creativity to liberate and release engrained habits. This requires awareness of the different kinds of narratives we can build up about ourselves and about others.

3. Developing self and others in the workplace

This workshop focuses primarily on the importance of self-development and self-leadership as the foundation for deepening collegial relationships in the workplace. This can take many forms, and in this workshop we explore some of these through practical tools, examples and exercises.

3. Performance and development reviews that make a difference

PDRs can often be box-ticking exercises that offer little in terms of real change and development for those involved. In this workshop we re-cast the traditional PDR and explore ways to make it a vital and important organ for collegial and professional development for individuals and for the whole organisation.

4. How to hold a meeting that matters

Given that meetings are part of the life-blood of most organisations, it is perhaps surprising how often poor meeting facilitation is a hall-mark of organisational culture. In this workshop participants learn how to use simple tools to facilitate meetings that matter. This can make a considerable difference to staff culture, productivity and general wellbeing across the whole organisation.

5. The art and craft of delegation

Delegation is a highly important aspect of the life of any organisation, and perhaps particularly so in Waldorf schools. And yet it is often poorly carried out. In this workshop participants learn some simple techniques for delegation and follow-up to ensure clear communication, motivation, responsibility and accountability.

Duration and format: These workshops are typically one half day to one full day. They can be taught in-person or through a combination of in-person and online delivery.

Cost: Cost depends on length and format. Please contact Charlotte von Bülow to discuss.

Facilitator: Charlotte von Bülow
Charlotte is a highly experienced leader and leadership coach who has lead organisations and worked with leadership teams for many years. She recently completed her PhD on the practice of attention in the workplace. She is currently senior lecturer at University West of England and director of Crossfields Europa. Please contact Charlotte von Bülow for further information about the above workshops. charlotte@crossfieldsinstitute.com