Grounded in Curiosity
Groundwork is a project of Joe Herrity. Groundwork is a response to the lack of coherence across the social sector.
We adopt a stance of playful curiosity in all our work, and we believe this invites our best thinking and your best thinking. We don't parachute in and suggest solutions from a playbook or template, we are deeply curious about what matters to you, your work, and your goals. We believe the essence of every brilliant solution is waiting to be uncovered.
All good work moves at the speed of trust; as such, relationships are everything to us. We prioritize the collective capacities of teams, rather than those of individual leaders, with attention to the relational texture among and between individuals and groups. We are guided by Peter Senge's "Fifth Discipline" approach to Compassionate Systems Change and David Cooperriders' Appreciative Inquiry as modes and methods for strengths-based engagement that cultivate, foster, and harness the conditions for durable success.
Our general process can take many shapes depending on the nature of an engagement or partnership, but roughly follows these four phases:
01. Begin with Relationships
We begin with relationships and we endeavor to be in "right relationship," because all work is relational and the people who do the work have plenty of wisdom and illuminating wonders. We truly believe that each interaction is a kernel of our work made manifest. We take care to understand both the individual and organizational context for relationships, internally and externally. We build our own authentic relationships through our early engagement and value relational quality and the perspective of every individual involved.
02. Listen to the data
We appreciate context and complexity, and are always searching for the "signal in the noise." With a sense for the relational texture, we aim to develop or engage with data that shapes a fuller picture. We love deep dives into existing materials, as well as creating new data with surveys, focus groups, human-centered design sessions, dialectic engagement, creative approaches like photo voice, or any other medium that facilitates rich transmission of information, knowledge, or wisdom. We are not statisticians or data scientists, we not researchers seeking to establish truths. Rather, we shine the light of inquiry to increase knowledge and build context that facilitates action.
03. Focus on solutions / Move to action
As soon as I reasonable we move to identify solutions. This can include designing new programs, assembling a strategic plan, creating a beneficiary listening campaign, engaging in board development, and many other forms. We use generative and interactive processes to find creative solutions, with an eye toward feasibility and viability. Whatever the shape of the result, we aim to move to action sooner rather than later knowing that the richest insight will be found on the other side. And we are comfortable with the solution being the provision of ongoing support for crucial efforts and projects.
04. Collaborate to get things done
We recognize almost every effort we touch is the work of many hands, and that our role in your effort is temporary. We collaborate to get things done from the outset to ensure ownership always lives with the team. And we remain respectful of capabilities and capacities of each unique group with which we partner.
Joe Herrity
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeherrity/
Top 5 Clifton Strengths:
Strategic / Activator / Input / Learner / Individualization