Abstract: Reflection is both a private and public practice that requires an investment of skill and time to produce insights that inspire better action. Like other arts, developing a skilled practice of reflection requires, well, practice! In this workshop, we will use the visual art created for this year’s In2:InThinking Network Forum as a creative stimulus to explore the relationships between reflection, connection, inspiration, and action. This exploration will spark a collective, conscious inquiry into the practical utility of individual and collective reflection. Building on what we learn together, we will consider the power and potential of graphic facilitation as a methodology to grow our capacity to practice the art of reflection at the Forum, at work, and in our home communities.

Biography: Jennifer Shepherd is the founder of Living Tapestries, a consulting firm that helps everyday leaders develop and connect ideas faster so they can focus their time on what really matters. Blending solid engagement processes with arts-based methods, Jennifer custom designs and facilitates meetings that take organizations on a journey of discovery and learning and invite people to challenge their current thinking, generate insight and take inspired action. When clients struggle to communicate their strategic plans, team visions, and product concepts to others, Jennifer works with them to create a hand-crafted visual aid that does the job for them. Her beautiful and insightful visual summaries of business meetings and conference proceedings have been shared instantly by thousands of participants, and help people remember core concepts long after their meetings are over.  The process of creating these visual summaries helps people to: think clearly, retain knowledge, stimulate creativity, deepen their reflective practice, learn, and make better decisions. 

Approaching assignments from a whole-systems perspective, Jennifer helps groups and teams tap into their collective wisdom, improve relationships, and focus on making meaningful connections that foster learning and excellence for the common good. Through working with Jennifer, non-profit organizations learned how to achieve their mandate with greater impact; local entrepreneurs shifted their current thinking to better develop their business concepts; hundreds of national and international conference delegates deepened and shared their learning together; and local schools, co-operatives, consulting firms, and social-benefit agencies created inspired visions and plans for the future.

Jennifer holds a Master's degree in Human Systems Intervention from Concordia University and she earned the IAF Certified Professional Facilitator designation from the International Association of Facilitators. Jennifer resides in Ottawa, Canada.

Contact: Jennifer can be reached by e-mail at jennifer@livingtapestries.ca for additional information about this Weekend Conference session.

Website: www.livingtapestries.ca

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/livingtapestries

Twitter: @jennshepherd