May 7, 2016 |

Dr Gary Wohlman – Re-inventing ourselves

DrGaryWohlmanWorkshop Title:

Re-inventing ourselves – Stepping up to become the heroes in our own lives

Workshop Description:

In this highly engaging, interactive session, each participant has the opportunity to identify, release and re-frame outmoded life scripts held onto until now. Through Dr Gary’s expertise and facilitation, everyone has the chance to rewrite old scripts and take a fresh stand of command in their land, embracing greater leadership stepping into a new page and stage of
being hero in their own movie. The session is scenario-based, as we enact together as a creative ensemble to shape, form and embody the Verbal, Vocal & Visual qualities of our most revered mentors and role models.

If people got the best of the session what would they leave with?

Renewed confidence and a greater ability to make a difference in their lives, as well as increase impact and effectiveness of their contribution to humanity – through learning tangible tools to put immediately into practice and bring their voice, message and story out into the world as they’ve always dreamed possible.

How is this session connected to the conference theme?

A perfect fit. I will expand upon the popular presentations I have given to the last two Story Conferences, this time taking the focus on enhancing live presentation skills to a new level – to enhance people’s capacity to re-write the stories they have been telling themselves and step up to make a greater contribution with their family, their community, their company, their country, and our world at large – which desperately needs new leaders and people stepping up to make a difference in the quality of life on this planet.

About the Workshop Presenter:

Dr. Gary Wohlman is an innovative presentation coach who trains CEOs, managing directors, senior managers and executive committees of leading organisations, as well as professional speakers and entrepreneurs in a wide range of industries. His streamlined approach to facilitating communication breakthroughs combines 45 years of performance-based leadership training, team-building and platform skills. Dr. Wohlman holds a B.A. degree integrating Psychology & Pre-Med from Johns Hopkins University, and a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology & Expressive Arts from the International University of Professional Studies. His proprietary method of body therapy, the “Wohlman Method for the Whole Person,” has received government accreditation by the Department of Education & Training in Australia.      His vast experience in numerous disciplines makes it possible for Dr Gary to reach people on multiple levels and senses simultaneously ~ awakening people’s abilities to communicate with optimal vitality, engagement and audience participation. Through this refreshing approach, clients reach deeper connection with themselves and their messages and enhanced rapport with their audiences through the relationship-building skills Dr Gary demonstrates. His tremendously fun, finely-tuned interactive style and extraordinary ability to create a safe supportive atmosphere inspires participants to awaken authenticity and take action in their lives as never before.

 

May 7, 2016 |

Clare Coburn – Transforming our personal culture through the power of story

ClareCoburn_vsmallWorkshop Title:

Transforming our personal culture through the power of story

Workshop Description:

Learning to tell imaginative stories that relate to our own experience is a potent activity. In this highly interactive session, participants will be encouraged to examine their inner culture, their personal culture—‘how your self relates to your Self’ in the words of Otto Scharmer. Entering the realm of creative feeling and working with image, metaphor and story is a potent way to heal and nourish our selves by letting them communicate easily with our Selves. We will investigate our personal culture and current challenges through metaphor and create an individual transformation story to take home with us.

If people got the best of the session what would they leave with?

Participants will leave with an understanding of ‘creative feeling’ as a way to work with our inner culture. They will experience and write/tell a story of transformation and create metaphors that relate to their own and others’ experiences.

How is this session connected to the conference theme?

I’m a strong believer that we need to start with our selves before we begin to support others. Our personal culture or our way of operating in the world is a significant part of what we offer to others. Where are our own obstacles? Where do we get in the way of what we want to offer? From personal and professional experience, I have seen the power of imaginative story to help shift, transform and open new aspects of our inner culture and ripple out into our work and lives.

About the Workshop Presenter:

Clare Coburn had over twenty different jobs and work roles before she listened to the deeper story, changed her inner and outer cultures, and began to offer soul support. It’s her way of guiding people to emerge creatively from emotional stuckness. Along the way, training and practice in storytelling, conflict resolution, Steiner education, speech and language, a host of different corporate and professional roles and a PhD on listening as well as lots of personal stuckness offered her the signposts, skills and capacities that help her respond sensitively as well as with warmth and humour to the soul and spiritual dilemmas of others. She relies on our innate wisdom, creative imagination and the use of story, metaphor and image as vital supports to her work.

May 7, 2016 |

Cathryn Lloyd – Provenance-Stories of professional practice

CathrynLloydWorkshop Title:

Provenance:  Stories of professional practice

Workshop Description:

The word Provenance means the place of origin or earliest known history of something.  Dr Cathryn Lloyd and Dr Geof Hill have been developing Provenance as a process for reflecting on professional practice.  Provenance creates a starting point for practitioner inquiry, creating a framework for interrogating one’s own practice and/or soliciting other practitioners’ professional stories to build meaning about how a given practice is understood and undertaken.  As individual narratives are shared collective knowledge is gained.  In this session Cathryn will briefly share the story of Provenance.  Participants will have the opportunity to experience the Provenance process.

If people got the best of the session what would they leave with?

A process by which to uncover and discover tacit knowledge, assumptions, values and beliefs often hidden from view.  Gain insights into and a deeper understanding of their professional practice.  Explore ways in which Provenance might influence culture change.

How is this session connected to the conference theme?

The current way Geoff and I have developed Provenance is directed at the individual’s inquiry and reflection into their professional practice.  The opportunity to interrogate one’s practice enables us to explore our professional identity and make connections.  Provenance is ‘critical’ in that the act of making tacit knowledge about practice explicit also helps to uncover beliefs and assumptions about that practice. By undertaking the process of Provenance with others we make our practice more explicit, build relationships and gain new perspectives.  This has benefits in terms of understanding and influencing organisational culture.  I believe it is possible to take Provenance from an individual focus to a group and organisational focus.  By sharing individual and organisational Provenance we have a process to explore hidden assumptions, values and beliefs, and understand ‘the way things are done around here’ and create a shared understanding.  This is helpful if we intend to influence and help transform organistational culture.

About the Workshop Presenter:

Cathryn Lloyd is a facilitator, creative development coach, and educator. She is the Founder/Director of Maverick Minds, a creative professional development consultancy that designs powerful and flexible learning experiences for a range of people and purposes. Cathryn has extensive experience across the creative industries, arts, business, management, and education. With a design background Cathryn brings a multi-disciplinary learning and engagement approach to her work with clients. Cathryn’s clients include corporate, public, not for profit/social enterprises, and individuals. She has worked across various sectors including environmental health and safety, engineering, corrections, education, accounting, human resources, community services and small entrepreneurial starts ups delivering professional development and bespoke workshops designed to help clients reach their optimum potential. Underpinning Cathryn’s work is a belief that creativity is the heart of human endeavour and is a much-needed capability regardless of the work we do.

May 7, 2016 |

Merrilee McCoy – Owning your story

MerrileeMcCoyWorkshop Title:

Owning your story: building compelling connections

Workshop Description:

Researcher/ Storyteller Brené Brown found during her years of study into vulnerability that it’s the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.     Many businesses still steer away from vulnerability, fearing their imperfection. But those who embrace their stories (warts and all) often discover deeper connections with their audience and also with their staff.    In this session we’ll get curious about your story (as an artist/ freelancer/ company etc) and investigate how effectively you’re sharing it with stakeholders, clients, and staff.     Using storytelling tools, we’ll review your vision and mine for key stories. By the end of this session you’ll be empowered to build a new foundation for your brand experience and marketing strategy.

If people got the best of the session what would they leave with?

Story-based tools to review and renew their marketing strategies and brand experience.

How is this session connected to the conference theme?

By choosing to authentically share your own story (or your business’) you’re choosing to connect honestly with your audience. This shift helps move the broader conversation from straight up ‘selling’ to seeking to benefit those around you. Using story in this way sends a powerful message about how you’re interacting with the world going forward.

About the Workshop Presenter:

Merrilee McCoy is a self-described ‘multipotentialite’ with over 10 years experience in the creative industries.     She’s passionate about the power of stories and of creativity to transform, to inspire, and to enrich lives. Merrilee’s own creative practice has taken her from improv, to mask making, completing a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Drama), exploring physical theatre, sketch comedy, storytelling, and now as General Manager for Melbourne start up, Trash Puppets.    After spending the past 10+ years as an independent producer, marketer, and administrator, plus working a number of pan-artform festivals, Merrilee’s excited to bring that varied experience to help people tell their stories through her own creative consultancy.    Connect with Merrilee on Twitter (@mezzamac) or on LinkedIn (@merrileem).

May 7, 2016 |

Niall McShane – Agile User Stories

NiallWorkshop Title:

Agile user stories: how to work iteratively in a plan-driven world

Workshop Description:

There is a natural tension between those with a world view that says “work to a plan” and those that prefer an emergent approach.     This session will draw upon the presenter’s many years as an agile coach; providing a toolkit of techniques to help participants deliver projects/initiatives in their workplace in a manner that balances the need for a plan but leaves room for the emergent.    Central to agile is the concept of a user story; this technique will be teased out to illicit learnings that are transferable into any situation where a set of one party’s requirements must be delivered by another.

If people got the best of the session what would they leave with?

The adoption of agile user stories as a means to manage project requirements has a lot to do with the neuroscience of leadership; how the leader’s brain is “wired”.

How is this session connected to the conference theme?

Telling a user story is a the heart of modern agile; this is a nice fit for the conference as agile is really about changing culture through the adoption of ceremonies and practices. One such practice is the user story construct.

About the Workshop Presenter:

Consultant, coach and agile specialist with a passion for delivery outcomes but not at the expense of  the people doing the work. Interested in the role of neuroscience in agile delivery of large-scale technology projects.

May 7, 2016 |

Anna Jarrett – Sharing Stories-Mapping Visions-Making Change

AnnaJarrettWorkshop Title:

Sharing Stories. Mapping Visions. Making Change.

Workshop Description:

Storytelling is a whole body-heart-mind-soul experience and working with stories invites us to learn about and understand our world holistically. This workshop is an offering of some of the ways which I have worked with story to help facilitate learning new perspectives, experiencing new ways of doing things and evolving change. Using a Story Circle framework, I will guide you through a range of activities which move between personal reflection to group sharing. The workshop content will be guided by your areas of expertise and interest so that you can adapt these storytelling tools to be relevant in your own personal and working contexts. This workshop aims to be a combination of exciting ideas, deep listening, relaxing reflection and practical strategies for making change through storytelling.

If people got the best of the session what would they leave with?

At the end of the workshop you’ll have some new ideas for ways to think about and plan for change using stories and story thinking as a foundation. I hope that you’ll feel more confident in your ability to tell meaningful stories and that you’ll feel supported by a network of new friends, to facilitate change in your work, life and community, in ways which work for you.

How is this session connected to the conference theme?

I am interested in the power of language and stories to influence, direct and reflect our personal, family and community culture. My workshop models ways for us to develop a deeper awareness of the stories we tell ourselves and the dreams which drive us to help create our future.

About the Workshop Presenter:

Anna Jarrett is a professional storyteller, facilitator, teacher, consultant and outdoor guide. With 30 years experience, Anna’s work with story is a diverse mix of projects and programs which celebrate and facilitate inspiring learning environments for community stories, environmental education, reflection, creative writing, wellbeing and outdoor adventure/reconnection journeys. Drawing from a deep belief that stories help us to make and to map our life journeys and our futures, Anna enjoys working with traditional and contemporary stories which inspire, empower, heal and guide us as individuals and communities. Recent projects include Education Dreaming, an oral history book publishing project with Aboriginal women from south coast NSW, and The Shorebird Book Project with National Parks NSW and school students on the south coast.  Anna’s greatest joy is to create places and spaces where people gather together to share their stories, to write them, sing them, play them, tell them and to continue to imagine them. Her work is driven by a vision of individuals and communities being deeply connected to themselves and to their place through stories, with all the wonder and knowledge which stories can contain.

May 7, 2016 |

Robert Chaffe – The singer or the song

RobChaffeWorkshop Title:

The Singer or the Song

Workshop Description:

The “singer or the Song” will focus on work done to improve implementation of change.  “Cultural change” implies lasting change by a community.  In the workshop we will explore examples of effective communication that lead to sustainable change through participation, respect and commitment. We will go beyond formal organisational structures to discover how we can best use the stories ( the implicit knowledge within a community shared through “stories”) to inform sustainable change.  It is assumed you have captured your stories (there will be other sessions that focus on this step).  Based on real life process that was proven to improve acceptance and adoption of “stories” with massive savings in time and money you will gain understanding of some simple principles and practices that you can adopt to ensure that your “stories” do have a chance to impact on Cultural Change.

If people got the best of the session what would they leave with?

A plan to ensure that “stories” are heard and become part of Cultural Change – implicit knowledge becomes explicit action

How is this session connected to the conference theme?

Stories can be in various forms from dance, song, poetry, prose and trophy documents.  The key element in my session is not to leave dusty documents/proceedings but action and commitment the gives richness and diversity to our culture that in turn will gives it sustainability through life (change)

About the Workshop Presenter:

Facilitator?  Over 40 years in the field of agricultural extension focused on soils and land management and a member of many community, science and industry based groups.  Since 1988 I have focused on principles and practices that lead to personal / community development. In the past 8 years this has included working with persons with a disability to ensure that they have a real choice to be the best person they can be.

May 7, 2016 |

Susan Raphael and Maree Upton – Changing your Story One Step at a Time

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Workshop Title:

Changing your Story One Step at a Time

Workshop Description:

In spite of our best efforts and intentions to change either individually, as a team or an organisation, we frequently fall short of our improvement goals or have trouble sustaining our achievements. Often we have one foot on the brake and one foot on the accelerator at the same time. This model blends both personal and professional aspects of change by addressing big assumptions and underlying causes that get in the way of progress. It addresses and unpacks our individual, community, and workplace assumptions and provides a method of changing culture through storytelling at a deep and sustainable level.

If people got the best of the session what would they leave with?

The workshop will provide insight into why good intentions and previous actions on addressing change may not translate into expected outcomes   •    Identify your own Immunity to Change, focusing on goals that will lead you to be a more effective contributor in leading change   •    Explore Immunity to Change in relation to leadership from an organisational and system perspective   People will leave feeling energised, thoughtful and informed, having had a meaningful experience and a taster of working with a different model that helps people uncover what gets in the way of change for them and their organisation. People will understand how deeply held beliefs and assumptions get in the way of change and begin to see how this tool can lead to a different approach.      By applying the Unlocking Immunity to Change model people will discover their ‘big assumption’ which will in turn lead to moving along a new path of discovery.

How is this session connected to the conference theme?

The model Unlocking Immunity to Change can be applied in diverse spaces both within organisations and within us as individuals who make up our communities. It reflects the conference theme as it explores stories we tell about ourselves and others both individually and collectively.

About the Workshop Presenters:

Susan has been facilitating in a diversity of contexts for over 30 years and has been the Principal Consultant of her own business for the past 10 years. This includes working both interstate in Tasmania and overseas in Singapore and in Seoul. Her aim is to introduce new ways of thinking and being that are solution focused, supportive of practical, challenge usual ways of doing things and inspire in fun ways that are connected to peoples’ hopes and dreams.   Maree has been working as a facilitator, developmental trainer, coach and independent consultant for over 15 years, establishing her own business, People Fundamentals, in the past 3 years.  With clients across Australia in the not-for- profit, private and public sectors, she utilises her psychology background in facilitating processes to enable individuals and groups to do their best thinking and to have fun whilst learning with and from each other to achieve their objectives.

May 7, 2016 |

Jenny Hutt – Reverse Roles!

Jenny HuttWorkshop Title:

Reverse Roles!

Workshop Description:

Effective interpersonal and inter-group engagement can be compromised during cultural change, just when we need it most. Positions may be held to rigidly, there’s pressure to get somewhere fast, and insecurity about the future or unresolved hurts can undermine a willingness to trust each other.    The use of role reversal can bring life to these situations. Drawn from the psychodrama method, role reversal is a way of entering into the experience of others. It generates fresh perspectives, bringing sometimes surprising insights. Participants can expect to experience role reversal and reflect together on what informs it and makes it successful.

If people got the best of the session what would they leave with?

Experiences of role reversal; seeing role reversal being facilitated; gaining insights into underlying principles of spontaneity and warm up; new insights.

How is this session connected to the conference theme?

This is about revitalising real life situations.

About the Workshop Presenter:

Jenny Hutt is a Sociodramatist and Director of Training at Psychodrama Australia’s Melbourne Campus. She is an experienced coach, consultant, facilitator and trainer with a special interest in workplace diversity, intercultural learning, leadership and group work. She has extensive experience using action methods, psychodrama and playback theatre.

May 7, 2016 |

Christine Carlton – A Story Can Make The Difference

Christine CarltonWorkshop Title:

A Story Can Make The Difference

Workshop Description:

Storytelling is at the heart of the human experience and it influences change at an individual as well as at an organisational level. In this workshop participants will explore the power of storytelling to:   – encourage personal growth, self-confidence, and self-esteem   – strengthen teams, build relationships and meaningful connections  – improve communication   – develop positive problem solving, risk-taking and collaboration  – encourage creativity and flexibility  We will use stories that are true, improvised, traditional and metaphorical.  The workshop will be an interactive space where old stories are celebrated and new stories will unfold.

If people got the best of the session what would they leave with?

– an appreciation of the formative and transforming power of story
– a practical understanding of the applications of story at work and in the cultural and social context of our lives
– an experience of the fun and versatility of story

How is this session connected to the conference theme?

A living story is a changing story. For a life-giving culture to flourish the story continues to unfold drawing wisdom from the stories of the past and contributing current insights to shape a healthy, vibrant new story for the workplace, family or community.

About the Workshop Presenter:

Christine Carlton has worked for over twenty-five years as a freelance Facilitator, Storyteller, and Consultant in Story and Drama in Education and Community Development. Throughout Australia and overseas she enables people to explore possibilities for their own creativity and leadership. Christine offers storytelling workshops with adults and children, facilitates leadership and team-building processes; professional development training, teacher in-service and reflective retreats. She is regularly called upon to provide creative leadership and group facilitation and be storyteller in residence at state and national conferences.  Christine is the President of the Australian Storytelling Guild (NSW)