March 2001: Angela Ogilvie (St Mary's College, Hull), Lynne Clarke (Shaw Park Primary School), Hull) and Jenni Newberry (St Mary's) laughing their way through a Spiral Dynamics role play.
"It is certainly a course everyone should do who is involved with people and their future prospects. BRILLIANT!"
- Angela Ogilvie
Head of Year 9
St Mary's College, Hull, 2001
What began in February 2001 as 'An Introduction to Spiral Dynamics & Related Models of Neuro-Linguistic Programming' has grown into a range of courses dealing with the theory and applications of Integrated SocioPsychology. (See the Schedule page for details on upcoming open workshops.)
Spiral Dynamics and NLP models such as Neurological Levels and Meta-States are key to explaining why people think, and, therefore, behave, in different ways at different times and in different contexts. The models are grounded in extensive investigative studies and are supported by much thought and research in so-called academic or 'conventional' Psychology and Sociology. However, these models are relatively easy to understand and easy to use in ways that make them emminently practicable.
The training I provide also draws directly in some instances from key models in the behavioural sciences - eg: Dimensions of Personality, Reciprocal Determinism.
With the knowledge, understanding and skills gained from training in Integrated SocioPsychology, participants have found they have been able to map out far more effective strategies for getting the most out of relationships - with colleagues, clients, customers, partners, children - whoever!
The very first open programme, in February 2001, was sponsored by St Mary's College in Hull. Programmes since have been delivered both under my own name and in partnership with others such as Summit Consulting, Cobus Business Services and David Burnby & Associates. A programme in Peterborough in late 2004 was sponsored by an ad hoc consortium of NLP Practitioners and Master Practitioners.
A basic introduction to Integrated SocioPsychology comprised a module of North East Lincolnshire Council's 'Innovation Engine' programme for businesses.
Customisable in-house programmes
In-house programmes have been delivered to organisations as diverse as Hodgson Sealants Ltd, Hull's Preston Road New Deal for Communities project, the Garths Resource Centre (also in Hull), the North Lincolnshire Council Community Investment Team, South Humber Young Enterprise, Hull City Council Regneration Services and the Hull Optimists charitable club for disabled swimmers.
The sheer scope of Integrated SocioPsychology, combined with its cohesive core structure, allows an incredible range of flexibility in developing programmes to meet the needs and objectives of the participants.
The Innovation Engine module and the in-house programmes for Hodgsons and North Lincs Community Investment Team also brought in Adizes LifeCycle as the workshops were geared towards organisational development. (Project reports of both Hodgsons and the North Lincs team are available in the Business pages.) 'For Education Professionals...', an open programme in June 2007, directed the material towards learning and the issues children and staff face in schools. The weekend session for the Hull Optimists included a light-hearted look at Body Language. and a focus on dealing with fear and other unhelpful beliefs (maladaptive schemas).
Obviously the aims of the programmes vary according to whether they are open or in house and who the target audience is. However, they all enable participants to start applying the models in practical, real-life situations - as well as providing a solid foundation for further study.
The workshops include highly-colourful materials, photographic illustations, music, stories, humorous role plays, case studies and interactive exercises - sometimes including 'Walking the Spiral'!
Participants are usually encouraged to bring a 'people issue' to the programme, to work through and thus be able to link the learning to 'real-life' scenarios. To be certificated, all participants have to make a brief presentation on how they will make use of the learning.
More than just academic theory!
The Integrated SocioPsychology workshops are not just about academic theory - though, on most of them, there is plenty of that!! Participants leave the programmes with knowledge and practical sociopsychological 'tools' they can use in real life. Organisations have become more effective at what they do, teams have worked together more harmoniously and personal relationships have been saved as a result of applying the learning from these programmes. Some participants have found the experiences deeply challenging on a personal level; and several have made life-changing decisions as a result - including changing jobs and moving on from seriously-unhealthy relationships in which they had felt trapped.
In the instance of Lewis Lynch, a disillusioned teacher at St Mary's College, Hull, he found the programme gave him new perspectives on Education - which led to him staying in the profession!
Check the Schedule for information on upcoming open programmes. To discuss your needs and/or to arrange a programme, please call me on (+44) (0)1423 819170 or e-mail via the button below.
Click here for dates & details of upcoming 'open' workshop programmes.
March 2001: Peter Smythe (University of Lincoln & Humberside) making his final presentation.
July 2001: Cathy Byrne (Danepark Primary School, Hull), Chris Massender (Westcliffe Primary School, Scunthorpe) and Helen Ezard in rapt attention. [Lewis Lynch]
July 2001: David Burnby (Common Purpose in Hull) and Jennifer Crossland reviewing flip charts.
March 2001: Jennie Beasty (Shaw Park) and Jenni Newberry preparing their final presentations. Lewis Lynch (St Mary's) being contemplative in the background.
July 2001: Helen Ezard (Partnerships in Care plc, Beverley) and Jennifer Crossland (Europarc Innovation Centre, Grimsby) working on a colourful case study, employing Jennifer's considerable graphic skills.
