Approaches

The approaches that I draw upon invoke:

• Systems thinking, which recognizes that decisions and actions happen in a complex whole where one small move can catalyze significant change.  Systems thinking brings in the interrelationships of a system's components rather than narrowly focusing on fragmented parts.

• Assets-based thinking, which focuses on what is working well to build momentum for change.  Assets-based thinking emphasizes strengths over weaknesses and opportunities over problems to identify where your greatest leverage may exist.

• Participatory design, which engages diverse stakeholders in inclusive processes that encourage open and honest dialogue and create buy-in to accomplish what needs to happen.

• Whole-brain thinking, which draws upon understandings of how our brains function in analyzing situations and making decisions.  Whole brain approaches are designed to engage the "left brain," or the logical and rational with the "right brain," the creative and artistic.