Goodworks project: Leadership in a Challenging Bureaucratic Space

A government agency division head requested assistance in the design and delivery of a leadership program for the agency’s lawyers and stenographers. The client shared that the participants operate in a toxic environment where unhealthy politics and bureaucracy was and still is the culture. The client’s objective was to create an environment for “leadership” to grow in those difficult conditions and that participants work together and treat one another with respect and dignity. Since this agency had a small budget, we took it on as part of our Good Works commitment.

Working with the client, we designed a program where participants would reconnect with each other, and explore why they joined the government, what values they live by, what their motivations are, what future they hope to create for themselves and others, all under the context of a challenging environment.

During the sessions, the participants started off wary, anxious, fearful, angry and resistant. There were attempts to invalidate the content, the program and the facilitator. We approached the delivery by holding a space of safety, firm respect, listening and compassion. We applied somatic practices to manage people’s energy, focus and get them to relax. By creating a safe space, identifying and disrupting peoples’ protective and avoiding behavior, calming everyone’s nervous system, people started participating and connecting. We started with acknowledging and exploring the impact of the current working conditions, what it means to be a leader in government, then moved on to how to grow as leaders and grow others in this difficult environment.

After running seven batches, the client reported that people were now talking to and listening to one another. They were working on collaborating and creating spaces where they could find some respite from the unhealthy politics and bureaucracy. The client said that the working space felt more productive, less toxic and people were smiling and laughing more.