Open Circle

Live classes dates: August 4, 6, 11, and 13, 2025

"This whole person learning is not theoretical. Open Circle has transformative value for leaders of all ranges of development, particularly those feeling stuck or confused by transition. Open Circle helps organizations resource themselves by providing a foundation for those who came to make the changes that were calling them."

— Ingrid Ammondson, PhD, Licensed Psychologist

Core Concept

Change, transformation, and evolution depend on the tension between what is and what will be — between our current state and our future state, between present reality and our hopes and visions for what could be.

What You'll Master

🔍 Self-Awareness & Pattern Recognition

Develop deep insight into intrapersonal and interpersonal patterns that create unhealthy relationship dynamics, giving you the power to interrupt and transform them.

🎯 Root Cause Analysis

Identify and assess the true sources of tension and struggle within yourself, your team, and your organization — moving beyond surface symptoms.

⚡ Conflict Transformation

Learn practical techniques to transform conflict in yourself, groups, and relationships into catalysts for creative breakthrough and growth.

🏢 Organizational Dynamics

Understand the group and organizational patterns that create or maintain emotional tension, and how to shift them toward health.

💪 Confident Navigation

Build unshakeable confidence in navigating difficult situations, turning moments of tension into opportunities for breakthrough.

💬 Compassionate Communication

Master the art of communicating blind spots and areas of avoidance with compassion, creating safety for transformation.

Beyond Technical Fixes: Adaptive Solutions

This program focuses on the psychological dynamics of groups in relationship to tension and conflict. While technical solutions work for surface-level problems, the deeper tensions — the interpersonal, ideological, and psychological ones — require adaptive approaches.

Applying technical solutions to adaptive tensions is like putting a band-aid on a chronic illness. It misses the opportunity for greater systemic health, well-being, and potential.

🔧 You'll Learn To:

• Assess technical vs. adaptive tensions

• Identify group responses to tension

• Cultivate pro-tension teams

• Facilitate creative tension exploration

• Work with emotional tension in groups to cultivate greater trust and group cohesion

• Build confidence in leading through tension

• Compassionately communicate blind spots (both positive and constructive) for group and individual empowerment

🚀 You'll Gain:

• Confidence in leading through tension

• Skills for building group cohesion

• Ability to work with emotional tension

• Tools for empowering communication

"Whatever you are considering with Open Circle, just do it! Whatever has driven you to consider something like this, take the leap. You will NOT regret it!"

— Mark Johnson, Commercial Engineering Executive

Course Structure & Details

Two-Part Learning Experience:

Part 1: On-Demand Online Course

• 6 comprehensive modules of theory and concepts

• 4-6 hours of video content, keynotes, and reflective exercises

• Additional resources: articles, podcasts, and recommended books

• Complete at your own pace before the Practicum

• Included with registration

• Preview available: click here

Part 2: Live Online Practicum

• 4 experiential learning sessions (2.5 hours each)

• Practice and apply foundational concepts

• Learn to lead groups through conflict toward creativity and cultural transformation

• Interactive, hands-on training with real-world application

Practicum Schedule (All times PST):

• Session 1: Monday, August 4th, 3:00pm - 5:30pm

• Session 2: Wednesday, August 6th, 3:00pm - 5:30pm

• Session 3: Monday, August 11th, 3:00pm - 5:30pm

• Session 4: Wednesday, August 13th, 3:00pm - 5:30pm

Total Investment: 14+ hours of comprehensive learning combining theory with practical application