Tell me more about the approach:
Recognising the importance of inclusive conversations, especially in complex systems undergoing transformational change, we adopted an accelerated design approach and create mini innovation challenges for elements/initiatives that can help us create the climate for innovation and systems leadership ie: Coaching for System Leaders.
Where possible we utilise system spaces that are already in place, such working groups and set meetings , events and other assemblies. event design to hold dialogue conference and place-based café conversations.
Other times we will set up innovation challenges . In all cases using our best assets, our people is key. Not over complicating issues but instead supporting facilitators to enable groups to collaborate effectively. Making sure they hear all voices and do not jump to the solution and explore the root causes. This can involve holding the dissonance and a supportive, safe and containing (Bion, 1961) style to to enable space for difficult conversation. It is not easy but many naturally have the skills sets and a good briefing and debrief will enable this approach to be applied widely. You can learn more about how we do this in large dialogue events here, who have been using this approach since 2018 – 4SD. It is important to spend time designing the events which will ensure the right environment is created: Dialogues are curated and facilitated in a way which creates a “safe space” and promotes trust, encouraging mutual respect. The conclusions emerging from dialogues are not attributed to single individuals.
Using an accelerated design approach coupled with dialogues is powerful and we have intentionally flipped the sessions from the traditional conference style events. In these sessions content experts and senior leaders/accountable officers join after your initial exploration so that your collective efforts can be shared.
Innovation Challenges are the next level stage of our maturity or to accelerate progress to the next level of innovation for integrated working and we will also be celebrating some of the achievements from our initiative leads showcasing some of the initiatives from our .
The Dialogues are carefully curated and facilitated in order to help participants explore convergences and differences. They are designed to offer informed, and constructive feedback.
The Dialogues approach enables participants to:
- Listen to each other;
- Welcome diverse perspectives;
- Seek out new connections;
- Explore both synergy and divergence;
- Collaborate in order to identify promising courses of action;
- Debate potential impact of different strategies.
You can read more about the approach here and download this toolkit from the Griffith that may help you set up your own innovation challenges in your ICS groups and specialist teams. The Canvas is particularly helpful to understand root causes and build a joined up way forward.
Much more than ‘another strategy framework’ this tool helps:
- visualise and make sense of the multiple learning and innovation projects required across sectors that are needed to enable diverse actors to organise around directional goals and complex challenges;
- recognise and align work across sectors and fields that will be needed to advance action towards bold goals, creating focus around high-leverage areas for intervention to address complex issues;
- and create a sense of coherence across ecosystems, sectors and actors so that collective intelligence can be harnessed towards addressing challenges.
The Dialogues are moments for
• Engaging all actors in our system; including those not normally included.
• Enabling stakeholders to explore ideas together;
• Encouraging creativity, emphasising equity;
• Emerging more powerfully through connections;
• Elaborating pathways, actions, intentions and commitments together
These Dialogues are
purposeful and organised events where a broad and diverse range of stakeholders come together and share
their experiences, consider how their roles impact on those of others and seek out ways to
improve or transform our systems.
The Dialogues provide an inclusive and supportive venue for debate, collaboration, consensus-building,
and shared commitment making. They encourage the exploration of challenges faced in our systems, reflect
our ambitions, and learn from the perspective of others who participate in order to make change happen.
People within different system partners will find their own ways, through Dialogue, to deepen their appreciation of each other’s perspectives, to consider different opinions and to seek agreement where possible. The Dialogues use a standardised approach for the convening, curation and facilitation of Dialogues. This standardisation makes it easier to synthesise the outcomes of the Dialogues and contribute to the strategic approach. Within this approach, Convenors are free to frame Dialogues in ways they best see fit. The Dialogues are prepared and convened so that they welcome all Participants and enable everyone to engage purposefully with open exchanges.
The Dialogues convene a diversity of stakeholders; at all times incorporating principles of engagement.
The Dialogues are carefully curated and facilitated in order to help Participants explore convergences and
differences. They are designed to offer informed, and constructive feedback. Ultimately, Dialogues contribute to shaping the pathways, policies and frameworks
which will lead to health.
They achieve this through exchanges, in Discussion Groups, which:
• Include diverse actors from across the system;
• Follow the Principles of Engagement;
• Discuss long-term visions of health
• Encourage sharing of reflections, building on knowledge, experience and wisdom;
• Explore synergy and divergence that emerges among the Participants;
• Identify priorities for action within the context of current realities and debate
potential impact of different strategies
The Dialogues approach enables participants to:
• Have purposeful and respectful exchanges with diverse stakeholders.
• Contribute to the preparation of our policies, strategies and assemblies
• Identify actions, collaborations and ways of working to shape pathways a healthier community.
Be Respectful
Respect for one another is a foundation for genuine dialogue. Participants in the dialogues are expected to listen to each other and be open to the co-existence of divergent points of view.
Recognise Complexity
Dialogues promote a systemic approach by involving multiple stakeholders to identify actions across the system together with potential synergies and trade-offs.
Embrace Multi-stakeholder Inclusivity
Dialogues are inclusive and strive to showcase as many voices as possible, capturing diverse cultural, professional and gender specific perspectives.
Complement the Work of Others
Dialogues build-on and add-value to existing policy processes and initiatives.
Build Trust
Dialogues are curated and facilitated in a way which creates a “safe space” and promotes trust, encouraging mutual respect. The conclusions emerging from dialogues are not attributed to single individuals.
System Synergy 