How the Pandemic Forced Online Collaboration to Mature with Nancy White
Oct 13, 2021
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Nancy White, founder of Full Circle Associates, reflects on the challenges of online collaboration during the pandemic, the importance of breaks and restoration, the growth of online collaboration networks, and the impact of social media. The concept of controlled structures and liberating structures in collaboration is explored, along with the importance of adapting actions and embracing emergence.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in proficiency with digital collaboration tools, making it a necessity for people and opening up new opportunities for connection and learning.
Liberating structures offer a way to foster inclusive and engaging group interactions in online communities, encouraging experimentation, adaptation, and addressing power dynamics and inclusivity challenges.
Deep dives
The Power of Digital Collaboration and Online Communities
The podcast discusses the growing importance and impact of digital collaboration and online communities, which have expanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital collaboration has become a necessity for people, both as users and practitioners, and has led to increased proficiency with digital tools. Additionally, there has been a surge of interest and investment in online communities across various domains. This period of growth and participation in online communities is seen as a transformative and pivotal moment, offering new opportunities for connection, engagement, and learning.
The Evolution of Liberating Structures
The podcast explores the concept of liberating structures, which are tools and practices that facilitate inclusive and engaging group interactions. Liberating structures provide packages for introducing new ways of engagement to achieve desired results. These structures allow for participants to collectively tap into the potential of their expertise and perspectives, breaking away from over-controlled or under-controlled environments. The dynamic nature of liberating structures encourages experimentation and adaptation to complex contexts. It also highlights the importance of fostering power dynamics and inclusivity within online spaces, paying attention to the challenges and opportunities that emerge.
Reflection on Purpose and Accountability
The podcast delves into the significance of purpose and accountability in community building. It emphasizes the need to re-evaluate and redefine purpose, taking into account the lessons learned during the pandemic. Purpose is seen as emergent and evolving, shaping the direction of community work. Reflection and creative destruction are crucial in rethinking value creation, addressing power dynamics, and fostering inclusivity. The conversation highlights the importance of creating spaces for reflection and dialogue, where diverse views and experiences are acknowledged and shared.
The Journey towards Adaptive Communities
The podcast explores the continuous journey of adapting and evolving communities for the future. It emphasizes the need for collective learning and experimentation, where mindsets, tool sets, and skill sets are continually refined. The conversation recognizes the value of paying attention to the smaller, incremental aspects of community building and weaving them into overall aspirations. It also discusses the shift towards more systemic and regenerative approaches, focusing on complexity-friendly practices and guidelines. The podcast concludes with a call for conscious reflection, evaluation, and authentic relationships to foster community accountability and progress.
In this episode of the Cohere podcast, Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas welcome Nancy White back to the show. Nancy is a true polymath, involved in shaping the early online community and collaboration movement and also deeply versed in group facilitation. Nancy is the Founder of Full Circle Associates and has a long history of working with global NGOs and non-profits on large-scale collaboration and community initiatives.In the episode we talk to Nancy about her personal experiences during the pandemic, what changes she’s observed in her communities and in her work, and explore how we might take what we have learned about collaboration and communities during the pandemic with us back into the world when we begin to emerge from the pandemic.
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