During the Wisdom Lab on November 5, we demonstrated our method of “coming alongside” (to use a nautical term) in order to partner with individuals and organizations in the discovery and guidance of what is already in progress. First, we looked at “how” the individual or organization responded to questions and dilemmas that resist easy answers.

We looked closely at the varied responses which allowed us to see otherwise hidden possibilities. We introduced the term gesture as a way to identify underlying impulses. It was through gesture that we started to uncover what is happening now and then to work with adaptive responses.

A number of you asked for examples. Please download our paper and chart describing the characteristics of life-cycle stages of organizations showing gestures appropriate to each stage: Gestures, the key to emergence