What?

Generative Engagement, as a model, is a way of thinking about how you make moment-by-moment choices to interact with others to create generative space between you. It asks that you consider three conditions* in your interactions to shape patterns of generative engagement.

• You stand together, sharing identity. You come together, across your differences to work toward a shared goal or purpose. You don't give up who you are, but you do seek to see the others perspectives.
• You share power in the system by allowing for mutual influence. You work to influence others, and you allow them to influence you. Getting things done is not about bullying or pushing. It is about coming together to decide whats to be accomplished and to share expertise, energy, skills, and resources to get it done.
• You grant and generate voice. You listen deeply without judgment. You share in ways that others can understand and accept.

So What?

The Generative Engagement model is not intended to paint a picture of a utopian world where everyone holds hands and sings about peace. It is, rather, about the moment-by-moment decisions and choices you make in every exchange. Either consciously or unconsciously, you choose behaviors that either move toward more generative relationships or away from them.

When you set the conditions of Generative Engagement, you increase the chances that you will generate over-arching patterns of coherence. Consider how a Complex Adaptive System functions to generate system-wide patterns.* Generative Engagement assumes that if you set these conditions, then the dominant patterns that emerge will be characterized by:

• Reciprocity, an equitable giving and taking, sharing responsibilities and benefits in the system.
• Authenticity, patterns of people experiencing the safety and freedom to bring their whole selves into the work of the relationship.
• Justice, patterns of access to energy, services and support, and other resources are equitably disbursed across all parts of the system.

The critical factor here is to remember that this is not the path to generative relationships at home, at work, or in the community. The Generative Engagement model is offered as one path that, if these conditions are set, are likely to influence generative patterns of action and decisions.

Now What?

Use Generative Engagement to:

• Engage with others in open and productive ways.
• Invite others to engage with you in Generative Engagement.
• Take wise action to more toward greater coherence and sustainability.