Are Collaborationships The Way Forward?

Embracing our collective wisdom

Talking (usually complaining) about the weather is something of a British past-time. I’ve been back in England for 5 and a half years now, and I’m still struggling to acclimatise to grey skies and relentless rainfall! Spring was so soggy that apart from a few happy foraging afternoons and the return of the birds morning singing, I missed it!

And then suddenly we had three days of SUN and it was glorious. I could feel my batteries being recharged. We had Maypole dancing and flower crowns and life was good! And then back to dark days and sky drool!

In the midst of climate change and ecological breakdown it feels petty to complain about the weather and yet…..I know from experience that weather plays a huge part in our quality of life and health.

And….whilst I whinge about rain, others are experiencing horrendous, destructive, life-taking flooding.

And…..whilst I moan that the washing will never dry and I am in a constant battle with mould, we have already been warned of the summer droughts and hosepipe bans to come.

Now that I have that, mostly, out of my system*, I wanted to explore collaborations with you.

(*this is what I sometimes refer to as a purge in the opening round of sharing in Circle; a kind of “get it off your chest rant or cry or release” to create space for what is to come. I usually start my posts with one and then delete it, but I’m leaving it today!).

The Art of Collaboration

True collaboration is rooted in a deep respect for the wisdom and contributions of every participant.

adrienne maree brown

I have long craved to be part of creative and nourishing collaborations, the way the mycelial networks of fungi form intricate webs beneath the forest floor, connecting, communicating, and collaborating with other species.

Whilst I am deeply inspired by the symbiotic relationships found in nature, I have never experienced a sustained and ongoing collaboration in my human communities!

A few years ago I was a member of Heathens in Business (such an evocative name!), a beautiful on-line community expertly held by Danielle Dulsky. I admired / envied her capacity to be in multiple collaborations at a time - in her business, writing and other creative projects, and asked her to share how she did it.

This was where I first heard the word “collaborationship" (which I love).

According to Dictionary.com the suffix -Ship is used to form nouns to indicate a “state of being” or “skill” and comes from Old English –scipe, meaning “shape.” So in the spirit of words like friendship, relationship and partnership perhaps we can define “collaborationship” as the state of being in collaboration with each other (and of course the shape that comes to mind is a Circle!).

True collaboration is a powerful way to harness collective wisdom and transform ideas into action.

Margaret Wheatley

Success can take many forms, but my understanding of a successful collaboration is that just as the mycelial networks support the thriving of entire ecosystems, so too can collaborative projects create supportive networks for us humans to deepen our connections, foster co-operation, and reimagine outdated systems.

Last week I met with members of The Circle Collective, a private Facebook Group for those who have worked with me or taken my courses, with the intention of exploring the best approach for them to be able to teach my courses in their own style for their communities.

What came out of those conversations was far more expansive and generative than I had dared to imagine; and the theme of collaboration reverberated loudly and consistently.

In collaboration, we find the opportunity to amplify each other's voices and create something greater than the sum of its parts.

Priya Parker

I want to bring a collaborative framework to Circle School and create an equitable, diverse and enriching learning community grounded in the principles of Circles, and advocating for social, economic and environmental justice.

As we continue to witness “natural” and human-made disasters, many of us are seeking to find our place and a path of contribution in this times. I am exploring the idea of transforming our Circle community into a Co-Operative or Community Interest Company to better serve both the Circle movement and Circle Holders.

By adopting a collaborative model, we can pour our lived and learnt experience, knowledge and wisdom into the collective cauldron and taking turns to tend the fire, see what we can cook up together (thank you Eloise for that potent visual!).

Collaboration is not just about working together; it's about recognizing the inherent worth and value of every participant.

bell hooks

Whilst we live in an increasingly connected world through the wonders and challenges of the internet and social media, it feels more vital than ever to bring our attention and offerings to the people and places we are in direct connection with.

At the same time, we can also create a global community of Circle Holders providing support and solidarity in these turbulent times.

My hope is that as a learning community of Circle Holders we can deepen our capacity as facilitators, and create opportunities for mentorship, collaborationship, and scholarship.

As a Co-Op or CIC, we can nurture our networks and co-create additional courses, resources, and events that nourish our capacity as community gatherers and organisers. And I have a sense that The Circle Project Book is also a collaboration project.

Together, we can reimagine (or affirm) the role of Circles within our communities, creating spaces of connection, healing, and transformation that have the potential to contribute to the dismantling of harmful systems, and the creation of more just, equitable and compassionate ones.

We can root our collaborationship in the sharing of knowledge and collective wisdom, in embracing and utilising the diverse strengths, experiences, and perspectives of each of us as individuals, to achieve a shared intention and share the burdens and the blessings.

Collaboration allows us to know more than we are capable of knowing by ourselves Megan Tiu

Are you IN? Some questions to respond to

This project is open to all Circle Holders, Space Holders and Community Gatherers for whom it resonates. I would so appreciate your thoughts and feelings in response to these enquiries:

1. How would you like to be involved in the expansion of Circle School into a collaborative model?

2. What skills, experiences, or resources can you contribute to our collaborative efforts?

3. What values and principles should guide our collaborative decision-making process?

4. What type of collaborative model do you feel would best serve the needs of our community? (e.g., co-op, CIC, etc.)

5. How can we ensure that our collaborative efforts are inclusive and equitable, and that all voices are heard and valued?

You can share in the comments and I will also start a thread in the chat, or please email or message me.

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Join Us

If we have worked together in some capacity and you’re not a member of The Circle Collective FB group and would like to be, please reach out and I will send you the link.

If we haven’t worked together but you would like to join our community calls for this project, please let me know and I will add you to the separate email list to receive the notes from our first meetings, and the dates and links for the next ones. (Please note that these are separate calls to the gatherings included for paid subscribers here on Substack).

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Currently Reading

Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard

Described as "A dazzling scientific detective story from the ecologist who first discovered the hidden language of trees…….she shares the secrets of a lifetime spent uncovering startling truths about trees: their cooperation, healing capacity, memory, wisdom and sentience.”

I came to this book after reading Richard Powers’ novel, The Overstory, and finding out that she was the inspiration for the scientist at the centre of the book.

I really want to love it, but it’s taken me a while to enjoy this style of memoir; and whilst I deeply appreciate all the experiments she did and her findings, I’m struggling to find the description of them very engaging!

Having said that, I am in awe of her dedication and discoveries, and what it shows us about being human, about the living systems we are part of and the role of elders in our communities.

There is also this beautiful conversation between her and Krista Tippett on the On Being Podcast that you can listen to.

If you’ve read it, I’d love to know how you found it?

I’m also reading Lean on Me, A Politics of Radical Care by Lynne Segal. This is a personal and political exploration of care, intimacy, education, meaningful work and social engagement and how humans can flourish through our interdependence and in how we approach motherhood, disability, ageing and our shared vulnerabilities. I’m enjoying her writing and deepening my understanding of the feminist movement, inclusivity and what radical care offers us.

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Upcoming Gatherings

Collaboration Call - today, Thursday 16th May at 10am BST

An opportunity to connect and share your projects or ideas, ask for support and seek collaborators. Whilst we always honour the principles of Circle, these are a flowing conversation with exchange of views, reflection and feedback when asked for.

Wisdom Council - Tues 21st May at 10am BST

We bring our unanswerable questions and provocations, and utilising a council architecture and process created by Mitlé we receive and offer insights and guidance on the things we are pondering in our lives and businesses.

The Zoom link is available the bottom of this email or in the Community Calendar:

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Thank you so much for being here as we explore the practice and process of Circles and their role as spaces to foster collective care and sacred activism.

With you in Circle in these (r)evolutionary times.