facilitating a culture of participation

In a culture of participation, people feel their ideas are being heard and they contribute their best insights. Information and ideas shared and everyone is able to become significantly engaged in the conversations. People listen to each other and learn from their perspectives.

In a participatory culture, people discover common interests, develop visions and values together and individuals feel a sense of purpose and responsibility. People sense they are truly a part of a process that values them and, as a result, their motivation rises and team spirit grows.

In a culture of participation, people develop real solutions and as they do, the extend and deepen the collective knowledge base of the group. People in participatory cultures think and act together, knowing that they are making a difference.

We believe that everyone has wisdom. We will always do our best to ensure that every person has an opportunity to hear others and express their ideas. The mix becomes richer and the group gets the wisest results when everyone's wisdom is included. The whole is, indeed, greater than the sum of the parts.

In our experience, the best plans and solutions are created when everyone participates. Our philosophy of facilitation leads us to use methods that bring out the best in the group. We believe participation allows everyone to share, to work together and to contribute in a meaningful manner.

We develop and use methods that:

• generate ideas and recognize everyone's contribution
• turn polarization, conflict and diversity into valuable assets
• help the group deal with a large number of ideas in a short period of time
• reveal larger, more information rich patterns
• enable people to create common understanding and consensus
• create plans the group is committed to implementing

Our approach, called Technologies of Participation™ - ToP™, is practical, realistic and humane. Our methods enable groups to move beyond brainstorming to create meaning filled consensus. ICA's methods result in more than just good plans and decisions; they build motivation and team spirit. Participation generates commitment that leads to action and lasting success. It builds real value in communities and organizations that results in an increase in social capital that can be used continuously.