Hosting Conversations about Questions that Matter
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Bill Sowers
- Male
- Columbia, MD
- United States
Bill Sowers's Page
Latest Activity
Barbara Shipka left a comment for Bill Sowers
"I have followed the world cafe since the beginning. I think the first time I met Juanita was at an OT conference in England/Harmonic Convergence in Glastonbury in 1989. In 1990 John Renesh, John Adams, Willis Harmon, she and I sat in her living room…"
Bill Sowers joined Christine Whitney Sanchez's group
Methods for Strategic Collaboration
Please join the conversation if you are interested in blending The World Cafe with other methods and models such as Open Space Technology, Appreciative Inquiry, Polarity Management, Spiral Dynamics, Theory U, the Enneagram and more.See More
Bill Sowers left a comment for Barbara Shipka
"Hi Barbara;
Anne Dosher, who is the "Elder and guardian of the soul" of the World Cafe, became a good friend in the 1990s. At the time she was an advisor to some work we were doing in community development. Over time, she helped us found…"
Bill Sowers left a comment for Christine Whitney Sanchez
"Hello Christine:
I would like to join your collaborative group. I studied Spiral Dynamics when the book first came out, and have taken an on-line course in Appreciative Inquiry.
Bill Sowers"
Bill Sowers updated their profile photo
Barbara Shipka left a comment for Bill Sowers
"Yes, of course I remember you Bill! Thanks for connecting. Michael just left for college. So we're both in big time transition. What is/are your connection(s) to the World Cafe?
Best,
Barbara"
Bill Sowers left a comment for Anna Doroshaw
"Hi Anna:
Great picture. How are things at FAA? Hope you and Win are doing well.
Bill"
Bill Sowers left a comment for Barbara Shipka
"Hi Barbara:
We met at Bretton Woods '94, do you recall? Then I came to Minneapolis to meet with your collegues there about a national meeting on "Spirit in the Workplace," but we never resolved funding issues.
Ah, aging. How is your…"
Anne Dosher left a comment for Bill Sowers
"Dear Bill: Sorry for the delay in replying, and it is so good to hear from you. I do hope you have recovered from what sounds like a situational depression, and that life is again good for you. Last year, 2008 seemed like an almost last year to me…"
Bill Sowers commented on Amy Lenzo's video
Global Climate Change and the World Cafe
"Well paced and well articulated. Connects global warming energy/environment issues with World Cafe principles."
Bill Sowers updated their profile
Bill Sowers left a comment for Debra Harkins
"Hi Debra:
My understanding is that the mentor role supports World Cafe concepts and applications. I too am learning to navigate the Portal and I am having trouble getting my photo to post! Suggest you ask Barbara Krohn and Amy Lazlo for technical…"
Profile Information
- Please indicate your World Café experience (ONLY IF YOU HAVE ACTUAL WORLD CAFE EXPERIENCE) in one or more of the following roles:
- Host, Participant
- What field is the primary focus of your World Café work (ONLY CHECK AREAS WHERE YOU ARE ALREADY ACTIVELY USING WORLD CAFE PLEASE)?
- n/a
- What knowledge, skills or resources would you like to contribute to the World Café community to help it grow and flourish?
- Appreciationi of "flow." Connections to change theory and implementation.
- What would you most like to receive from this community?
- Connection and intellectual stimulation to new ideas.
Comment Wall (7 comments)
- At 7:41am on March 17, 2011,
Adriano Pianesi said… - Hello, Adriano here from Alexandria, VA. Did you know about this event?
Leader-SHIFT: A Conversational Leadership Lab to nurture Innovation
with David Isaacs - World Cafe' co-creator - on April 7th and 8th in Arlington, VA?
I will go! I hope to meet you there! Adriano Pianesi [email protected]
- At 9:20pm on September 18, 2009,
Barbara Shipka said… - I have followed the world cafe since the beginning. I think the first time I met Juanita was at an OT conference in England/Harmonic Convergence in Glastonbury in 1989. In 1990 John Renesh, John Adams, Willis Harmon, she and I sat in her living room and dreamed together about a MN chapter of the WBA which came into being a year or so later.
All of that was in the 1990s. Then in 2002 I dropped out for awhile for several reasons. I was burned out re corporate consulting. I needed to spend more time with Michael and decided not to travel for the duration. I became an artist and attempted to make a living that way for about 4 years. Then, to support us, 3 years ago I returned to corporate work. And I have renewed love for it! I have been so happy. My work has been focused on leadership development and executive coaching (esp. emotional intelligence).
In my profile I wrote about a recent project that I most especially loved. Perhaps you saw it, but in case not, here it is:
Recently, I developed and facilitated a global dialogue/peer coaching process for 100 corporate global leaders. The series of conversations were held over six months in groups of 4 - 6 (phone and online/3 hours) and were centered around exploring the leaders' "biggest questions" (and building their connections with each other). They asked questions of how to become more self-aware, present, centered, fulfilled; questions of how to lead virtually/remotely and personally simultaneously; questions of how to lead across geography and generations, questions of how to support themselves, each other, and those they lead through change and transition... The experience was a first for all of them and many were skeptical about taking 3 hours to "just talk." The result has been that their experiences far exceeded their expectations. And it was a highlight of my work life. I discovered that I am very skilled at facilitating deep virtual and cross-cultural conversation (audio plus photography/whiteboard for visual focus). I felt so privileged to be able to gain a glimpse (no pun intended) into the vulnerabilities, the sincerity, the commitment to learning and service of these generous souls! I would love to find ways to continue this kind of work...
Work continued quite well until about two months ago and, for the moment, I'm without that place of meaning and passion in my life. And then Michael and I are going thru this major transition as he has moved to college. Big changes!!!
And... it's once again a time of wondering what's next. A time of wide opening and pregnant possibility.
Focused on paying attention; observing the subtle and not so subtle. For example, a couple of months ago 3 friends from 25 years ago when we all worked in Somalia contacted me. They now work for WHO and UNDP in Geneva. Then two weeks ago a student from more than 35 years ago when I taught school in Beirut contacted me. She also lives in Genea. Why? Why now? I ponder.
Love,
Barbara
- At 7:27am on September 18, 2009,
Christine Whitney Sanchez said… - That would be great, Bill. Come on over!
- At 1:13pm on September 17, 2009, Anna Doroshaw said…
- Thanks, Bill. FAA is ... interesting.
- At 12:01pm on September 17, 2009, Barbara Shipka said…
- Yes, of course I remember you Bill! Thanks for connecting. Michael just left for college. So we're both in big time transition. What is/are your connection(s) to the World Cafe?
Best,
Barbara
- At 2:43pm on August 31, 2009, Anne Dosher said…
- Dear Bill: Sorry for the delay in replying, and it is so good to hear from you. I do hope you have recovered from what sounds like a situational depression, and that life is again good for you. Last year, 2008 seemed like an almost last year to me due to illness: two bouts with pneumonia and a long (five months) attack of shingles
involving the whole left torso. My doctor calls this (2009) my convalescent year: such an old fashioned word is that word convalescent!. I, and we, are working out what is possible at the age of eighty-six (as of this
coming November!). Barbara is taking three weeks at a
clinic in Sedonah in an effort to become healed and healthy. We are all sending her energy. I also send
good spirits and energy to you, dear Bill. Blessings,Anne
- At 3:41pm on August 20, 2009,
Debra Harkins said… - Hi Bill,
thanks for getting in touch with me. Can you help me figure out how to navigate and make best use of World Cafe?
thanks, Debra
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