CALS 505 – Deanna's Blog

Reflecting on the Leadership Project Plan

Leave a Comment / Academic Writing, CALS 505, Climate Communication, Leading Change, Leading Climate Action, Leading Climate Action in Society / Deanna

Throughout the MACAL graduate year, my thinking has expanded and deepened regarding the complexity of challenges facing climate action leaders, and so it has been with the CALS 505 Leading Change course. A significant requirement of this course was to develop a Climate Change Leadership Project Plan focusing on leading change. Due to the time commitment of researching and writing a plan during the height of summer, many fine weather activities were missed while others were out enjoying them. As a result, the plan was developed and written without the usual collaboration and input that might have typically informed the future vision and theory of change that was foundational to the plan. The upside was that I was forced and, therefore, stretched to imagine other perspectives as I independently developed the vision and theory of change.

After spending our summers working on our leadership plans, the cohort presented their plans to their classmates. It was like sharing the harvest of carefully planted gardens at the end of summer. I have reaped a deeper understanding of what is needed for leading climate change initiatives and believe there are three elements to use when I start working on future leadership plans. The elements include following my passion for taking climate action, using helpful tools such as the theory of change and logic models, and, notably, thinking about the leadership challenges and styles that best suit the initiative.

Start With Passion

I was recently asked how I keep working and studying in the climate action space, given how grim it seems. My passion keeps me going, and this is what is needed for any climate project I will be involved with. Passion is the spark that creates the vision and the energy that powers the project. There is an underlying desire to include what I am passionate about when working on climate action problems. I care deeply about nature, reconciliation, equity, fairness, and human well-being and look for ways to plant these into my endeavours. From this base, an idea becomes a vision. Allowing that passion to shine when sharing the vision helps inspire others to co-create climate solutions (Withers, 2023). Greta Thunberg provides an inspirational example with her passion, courage and forthrightness. However, not all climate leaders need to be Greta and can use their passion and vision locally within their communities.

Use Foundational Process Tools Like the Theory of Change

Taking that passion and vision and putting it into a leadership plan can be moved along by creating a theory of change to map out the inputs and activities that will lead to the desired outputs and outcomes (Pringle & Thomas, 2019). The process should result in a graphic. Figure 1 is an example from the United Nations for Climate Mitigation that visually demonstrates how the change will be achieved and should be referred to often throughout the planning process. Ideally, the theory of change will be developed collaboratively as part of an engagement process and be updated and evolve with the project.

Figure 1 Example of a Climate Mitigation Theory of Change Graphic

Note – From Theory of Change for Climate Mitigation, by UN environment programme, finance initiative, Principles for Responsible Banking, February 2023.

For the CALS 505 Leadership Project Plan, there was no engagement process or time to conduct one. Therefore, the graphic was developed without input from others. I had already created a logic model and used that to make the theory of change graphic, starting by drawing it out on paper. Surprisingly, this process helped me see the necessary pathways to interim steps fundamental to long-term outcomes that were not as evident in the logic model. Here is a link to a blog that provides helpful steps to create a theory of change.

Need a Logic Model

Creating a logic model, a table of key actors and contributing factors was vital for getting the steps down in a logical progression. Both the theory of change and the logic model should be referred to frequently and be an iterative process throughout the project, and a more extensive project could be built on many logic models. Aside from helping the planner(s) synthesize thoughts, process, and distill what is foundational and the steps required, the tool is also helpful in communicating the change process (W.K. Kellogg Foundation, 2004).

Think About Leadership

I have previously posted on leadership styles that would fit the initiative proposed in the CALS 505 Leadership Project Plan and the leadership challenges. Considering the leadership style best suited to the project helps leaders focus on essential characteristics fundamental to success that may not be innate (Michigan State University, 2021). Understanding that human relationships need to be cultivated to grow a community willing to take on climate initiatives (Fox et al., 2023) ensures that essential considerations such as effectively communicating the long-term vision, are contemplated (Solvable and Magnolia Moonshot 2030, 2022). The logic model and theory of change graphics can be useful visual tools to support that end.

I will start future leadership project plans considering the essential elements needed to clearly engage, build support, develop relationships, and ensure understanding of the project. Initiating with passion, creating a theory of change and logic model, and considering appropriate leadership styles provide a foundation for the project to evolve and emerge.

References

Fox, A., Mwangi, C. G., Pachucki, M., Wells, R., Dasgupta, B., Thoma, H., Dunton, S., & Kimball, E. (2023). Rethinking Backbones in Collective Impact: Examining a Broadening STEM Participation Program as a Feminist Matrix Organization. Innovative Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-023-09660-x

Michigan State University. (2021, April 14). The 4 “I’s” of transformational leadership. https://www.michiganstateuniversityonline.com/resources/leadership/4-is-of-transformational-leadership/

Pringle, P. & Thomas, A. (2019). Climate adaptation and theory of change: Making it work for you. Potsdam Insitute for Climate Impact Research. https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/climate-adaptation-and-theory-change-making-it-work-you

Solvable and Magnolia Moonshot 2030. (2022, February 16). Rebecca Henderson on regenerative leadership [webinar recording]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_hCpLQU_wQ&list=PLHxvKhKNCgJYx8IDa4lZBky7wQxaBpUVs&index=14

UN environment programme. (February 2023). Theory of change for climate mitigation. UN environment programme, finance initiative. Principles for Responsible Banking. https://www.unepfi.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/14-Theory-of-Change-for-Climate-Mitigation-D1_JD.pdf

Withers, D. (2023, August 23). Final presentation part 2 [Class recording]. CALS505: Leading Change in the Context of Climate Change. Royal Roads University.

W.K. Kellogg Foundation. (January 2004). Logic model development guide. https://wkkf.issuelab.org/resource/logic-model-development-guide.html

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Challenges for Citizen-Led Initiatives

Leave a Comment / CALS 505, Climate Communication, Leading Change, Leading Climate Action in Society / Deanna

Who has the agency to lead a community climate change initiative? For example, I am thinking of a group of like-minded, determined citizens coming together and forming a core group that links or partners with the government or other supporting groups to achieve specific climate action. As such, it is argued that citizen-led initiatives are the highest level of citizen power and control (Igalla et al., 2019). In addition, a climate change citizen-led initiative could take a “collective impact approach” (Hanleybrown et al., 2012, p. 1). A collective impact approach allows society to “achieve large-scale progress against urgent and complex problems (Hanleybrown et al., 2012, p. 6). Activating the highest level of citizen power to apply against society’s multiple crises seems like a good fit, but this does not come without challenges.

As the name implies, collective impact is based on a framework for multiple organizations to work across sectors to coordinate their action, share lessons learned, and optimize effort and success rates (Hanelybrown et al., 2012). The climate action initiative I am considering includes urban ecological biodiversity, equitable access to biodiverse urban areas, and reconciliation through an Indigenous Informed approach, thereby achieving a collective impact. However, this is a significant challenge for a citizen-led or grassroots initiative, and this blog post is about the challenges.

Collective Impact Approach

While researching the challenges of citizen-led initiatives, I found insights from the collective impact approach helpful to consider. The collective impact approach was conceived to coordinate and increase the impact of various stakeholders, partners, agencies, sponsors, and funders brought together to make a social change (Hanleybrown et al., 2012). To that end, the collective impact approach recommends five essential principles for initiative collaboration that includes setting a strategic direction or common goal, agreeing on how to track progress, capitalizing on the expertise of those involved, communicating consistently, and maintaining dedicated resources (ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability Canada, n.d.b., p. 7). Figure 6 provides a graphical representation of the core principles. Underpinning the effort is the coordination by a backbone organization or agency (Hanleybrown et al., 2012).

Figure 6

Five Core Principles for “Collective Impact”

Note – From Engaging Meaningfully: Leveraging Community Engagement to Advance Implementation, Advancing Adaptation Project, by ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability Canada. (n.d.). Advancing Adaptation Project. https://icleicanada.org/project/engaging-meaningfully/

Are There Perils Leading with Backbone?

A citizen-led initiative or non-profit could act as the backbone agency providing clear focus, facilitation, and the ability to work across organizations (Hanelybrown et al., 2012). But it could also be perilously challenging for grassroots organizations. The leader must be adaptive and skilled to get all parties to act together. Conversely, the leader must have the grace and insight to know when to step back to let success be shared. This is not the place for autocratic leaders (Igalla et al., 2019).

Unfortunately, efforts expended for backbone organizing can be invisible (especially if the leader is stepping back to let others take the credit for success) or undervalued, resulting in difficulty getting sustainable funding as the work can be seen as overhead (Hanelybrown et al., 2012). There may also be the perception that this role competes with other agencies with similar or parallel objectives. However, “the expectation that collaboration can occur without a supporting infrastructure is one of the most frequent reasons why it fails” (Hanelybrown et al., 2012, p. 6). Collaboration takes time, as does planning, facilitating, reporting, and communicating about the initiative.

Regardless of the framework, there needs to be energy and capacity from the volunteers to lead the citizen-led initiative. When this work is not funded or resourced sufficiently, the initiative has a higher failure rate (Igalla et al., 2019). Inadequate funding or resources for operational costs can be a challenge and is something that municipalities or other levels of government could help to incentivize. Ironically, although government involvement is often an essential part of an initiative, it can impede success due to bureaucratic demands, administrative burdens and timelines that best suit government fiscal responsibilities (Igalla et al., 2019).

Human Relations – by Women

As such, these projects require more than process and funding; the vital component is human relationships (Fox et al., 2023). Interestingly, female-organized citizen initiatives demonstrate care for human relationships that positively facilitate citizen-led initiatives (Igalla et al., 2019). Additionally, feminist research shows that communally sourced projects “centering women and promoting a non-hierarchical structure” (Fox et al., 2023) are effective. Fox et al. (2023) re-envisions a quilt of effort replacing the backbone organization. Regardless, the emphasis should be on equity within the partnerships for the people involved, in addition to the process outlined by the collective impact approach. Developing and maintaining relationships, as with most human endeavours, is a fundament challenge for citizen-led projects.

Trusting and Cooperative Relationships Build Social Capital Which Provides the Structure for Success

Therefore, the citizen-led initiative must build and sustain trusting relationships to collaborate effectively around a shared goal (Fox et al., 2023). This develops the social capital to sustain the project (Igalla et al., 2019) and, in my view, provides the structure to overcome the challenges. The collective impact approach provides foundational principles to help citizen-led initiatives foster relationship building. Ultimately building relationships will enable successful outcomes.

Reference

Hanelybrown, F., Kania, J. & Kramer, M. (2012). Channeling change: Making collective impact work. Stanford Social Innovation Review. https://ssir.org/articles/entry/channeling_change_making_collective_impact_work

ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability Canada. (n.d.b.). Engaging Meaningfully: Leveraging Community Engagement to Advance Implementation, Advancing Adaptation Project. https://icleicanada.org/project/engaging-meaningfully/

Igalla, M., Edelenbos, J., & van Meerkerk, I. (2019). Citizens in action, what do they accomplish? A systematic literature review of citizen initiatives, their main characteristics, outcomes, and factors. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 30(5), 1176–1194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-019-00129-0

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Log on the beach propped up on a rock. The tide is part way out. The photo evokes natures changing scene at the beach.

Leadership Fit for Changing Our Nature

Leave a Comment / Academic Writing, CALS 505, Climate Communication, Leading Change, Leading Climate Action, Leading Climate Action in Society / Deanna

I am contemplating a change in the City of Nanaimo. It will start with a demonstration project to plant a mini-forest with the hope that a successful planting would lead to policy changes, more areas planted, and people developing a deeper connection to nature. This climate adaptation and biodiversity solution provides many benefits but can also be challenging to implement due to the multi-stakeholders involved and the new and novel approach of the solution. “Successful adaptation rel[ies] on the proper grasp of the cultural, economic and institutional contexts and on the leadership that is needed to mobilize resources for concrete action“ (Cash & Moser; Bisaro & Hinkel; Termer et al. as cited in Vignola et al., p. 84). Adopting the appropriate leadership style for the action can “promote concerted efforts, priority setting…and stakeholders’ engagement in multi-scale process of continual action” (Vignola et al., p. 84). Considering this and the leadership styles or attributes that might best be used to succeed with the vision, I am examining transformational and regenerative leadership for this blog post. But first…

Some Beach Time and Leadership Lessons from a Three Year Old

On a warm July afternoon, our family gathered at the cabin on the beach for my niece’s eighth birthday celebration. Being close to the ocean on such a warm day meant that most of the multi-generational family members went for an ocean dip. A few of the kids and adults had pool noodles which seemed like a great idea for floating in the gentle waves. Improvising, two of the young boys found some logs, just like I used to when I was their age, and carried them down to the water to float on. One youngster’s log was not quite right, so he asked his dad to carry down a larger log. In the meantime, the amiable three year old, Ben, was quietly watching all of this, and he decided to get a big log for everyone to share. There happened to be the perfect log near where all the adults were sitting. Without saying anything, Ben got up and walked over to the log in his charismatic three-year-old way. Undaunted, he glanced back with an optimistic, confident grin at the adults and invitingly waved his chubby hand and then went and started pushing on the log! Not able to withstand his charm, his 69 year old aunt went to help, and not long after that, so did his mom. Voila, the largest log on the beach, was pushed into the water. Ben’s vision, ability to inspire others, and willingness to disrupt assumptions and beliefs that the log was too large for such a small person to get into the water led to success. Ben had just demonstrated many attributes of what scholars call transformational leadership.

Understanding Transformational Leadership

Transformational leadership is needed when there is a clear vision of the goal or future state (Withers, 2023). Typically, the vision is a disruption of the status quo and tends to challenge beliefs or assumptions. Such a vision inspires and motivates action (Michigan State University, 2022). The leader must be inspiring to first elicit followers and then empower followers to innovate and experiment to find the path to the vision. The leader will encourage and embrace new experiences and opportunities to help those involved grow and learn (Michigan State University, 2022; Withers, 2023). Having others grow and learn and themselves become climate action leaders is vital for the immense effort required to transform our world. It is also the type of leadership that can be used for a local community effort, such as converting a previously paved or abandoned piece of urban real estate into a thriving ecosystem. Interestingly, many of the attributes of a transformational leader are also required for regenerative leadership.

Contemplating Regenerative Leadership

Regenerative leadership focuses on the regeneration of ecosystems and the development of human systems to work within nature (Withers, 2023), like the graphic in Figure 1, which demonstrates the evolution of regenerative design. As such, regenerative leadership calls for a worldview that sees the interconnections, interrelations, and integrated forces of the whole system that humans are part of (Reed, 2007; Withers, 2023) and “that all things are alive and in the process of becoming” (Reed, 2007, p. 675). The foundational principle focuses on being in a conscious and engaged relationship with the planet, its natural laws, and the whole system’s evolution (Reed, 2007). Regenerative leadership is about the worldview, infinite vision, and goal to evolve all involved to a healthier co-existence.

Figure 1

Regenerative Design Graphic Could Also Apply to Regenerative Leadership

Note. Bill Reed used this graphic to demonstrate the trajectory of environmental design. Regenerative design envisions humans participating as a wholesome contributing part of nature (Reed, 2007), requiring a different approach to everything, including leadership. From “Shifting from ‘sustainability’ to regeneration” by B. Reed, Building Research & Information, 35(6), 674–680. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613210701475753.

In her discussion with Darcy Winslow about regenerative leadership, Rebecca Henderson acknowledged that regenerative leadership is an emergent idea (Solvable and Magnolia Moonshot 2030, 2022). This type of leadership requires an acceptance of the harm current dominant systems have perpetuated, a commitment to bringing people along and a focus on regenerating the whole system. There is also a long or infinite view; therefore, it requires empowering those involved to see the longer vision and even requires sharing leadership. Darcy Winslow observes that although there is a “moonshot” or long vision, it is not always clear how to travel the path to the vision. She offers the analogy of geese flying in a formation and how they drop back as the leader tires and new leaders take a turn. Rebecca Henderson offers practical advice to – start local, have well-defined terms and goals, give people room to fail, try it out and try it out again, and also think about what needs to be done this week while keeping an eye on the long goal. This type of leadership might seem like a great deal of effort to plant a demonstration mini forest. But is it?

Leadership Matters to Achieve the Vision

The City of Nanaimo Parks department could simply complete a local demonstration planting of a mini forest which would likely increase biodiversity and provide the many benefits of thriving ecosystems. But this misses out on an important aspect of the project. Perhaps the most crucial part is the process and the type of leadership used. Working with the community following regenerative design principles to consider the site for the forest, understand the history of the ecosystem, co-produce the appropriate species list, and find committed planters and guardians of the forest has benefits. The process will develop an interconnected biodiverse forest and community with a deeper understanding and relationship to nature. The vision is not only to transform an ecologically unproductive urban landscape but also to transform the people involved in the project. The pilot demonstration forest is a seed planted that, if nurtured properly, could co-evolve into the moonshot vision of a regenerated landscape and an evolved community worldview that understands the necessity for humans to be in a reciprocal relationship with nature. Taking the first step as a transformational leader could evolve into regenrative leadership as we humans learn to participate within nature.

Reference

Michigan State University. (2022, July 1). The 4 “I’s” of transformational leadership [blog]. https://www.michiganstateuniversityonline.com/resources/leadership/4-is-of-transformational-leadership/

Reed, B. (2007). Shifting from ‘sustainability’ to regeneration. Building Research & Information, 35(6), 674–680. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613210701475753

Solvable and Magnolia Moonshot 2030. (2022, February 16). Rebecca Henderson on regenerative leadership [webinar recording]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_hCpLQU_wQ&list=PLHxvKhKNCgJYx8IDa4lZBky7wQxaBpUVs&index=14

Vignola, R., Leclerc, G., Morales, M., & Gonzalez, J. (2017). Leadership for moving the climate change adaptation agenda from planning to action. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 26–27, 84–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2017.03.005

Withers, D. (2023, July 6). Unit 3: The approach: How we make change happen [Class recording]. CALS505: Leading Change in the Context of Climate Change. Royal Roads University. https://royalroads.zoom.us/rec/play/Wn7tbCQU7b8Yjqni0NN_ch_NH4jEjgwVLXJIANsTPVGWM1XxALxZbfnSF-q2tUvXxSKpWILpO9tlLq-X.mOUddHjC39irtZtL

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A woman getting feet wet crossing the river demonstrates that it can be challenges and discomfort through change.

Emotional Work for Leading Change

Leave a Comment / Academic Writing, CALS 505, Climate Communication, Leading Change, Leading Climate Action / Deanna

In the CALS 505 Leading Change in the Context of Climate Change class, we recently watched a video interview with Adam Lerner from Sovable (Royal Roads University, (2023). He identified three steps to lead change. The steps are diagnosing the existing state to find what is no longer needed, interrupting or stopping that which no longer serves, and creating space to innovate, which is the final step in the change process. The challenging work for many is interrupting, stopping, or letting go of that which no longer serves. It could be called the messy middle, and it needs our attention. Addressing the messy middle is the emotional work for climate leaders.

Pay Attention to the Emotions Raised During the Change Process

Attuned leaders will provide the emotional space and support for those affected by the change to gracefully let go of practices, policies or work that is not needed in the future state (Royal Roads University, 2023). Adam Lerner calls this step “hospicing,” and framing it as such ensures that sufficient care and attention are provided to this phase of the change process. This is the emotional work required to facilitate change. Leaders must be prepared to support those affected to deal with the loss, grief, and uncertainty they may feel when they abandon familiar but redundant ways of being, processes or work. It is also essential for leaders to have the emotional capacity to provide a safe emotional space for hospicing to occur.

Anticipating and going through the change process can leave people feeling confused, lost, and overwhelmed (Solvable, 2021). As a result, it is understandable that not only do people fear change they are more comfortable with the status quo (Grashow et al., 2009). If these intense emotions are not addressed, it can lead to apathy or derailment of the change process (Moss Kanter, 2012, Solvable, 2021). These reactions may be overlooked, given the leader’s focus on the vision and goals of the outcome, but they can also be planned for and managed with empathy. The emotions are not confined to one stage of the change process; therefore, hospicing will be an ongoing practice.

Practices to Support Hospicing

Some practices the leader can incorporate to support hospicing are identified in Ten Reasons People Resist Change (Moss Kanter, 2012). For example, by involving people in planning and allowing them to make choices, they will experience less loss of control. Most importantly, providing a clearly articulated step-by-step process with a timeline prevents people from feeling confused and uncertain. However, it is important also to acknowledge that there will be extra work, unanticipated problems, and some confusion throughout the process so that people are prepared for the challenge. A way to incorporate these practices could be with narrative.

Narrative can positively engage people in co-creating the future story (Withers, 2023). Sharing stories allows people to see themselves within the story and as part of the solution to the problem. Sharing stories provides an emotional connection and an opportunity to explore emotions such as fear, loss, and grief (Abbas, 2023). Stories or narratives can also be a powerful way to envision the future. An intriguing example is the City of Vancouver’s Sea2City Design Challenge which was part of the city’s values-based coastal adaptation planning.

The city used various forms of engagement to have conversations with citizens about rising sea levels, the effects it will have on the city’s shoreline and how this will impact people living, working, and playing along the coastline. One event had writers from coastal cities sharing their thoughts about sea level rise (Azpiri, 2022). Their written words were projected onto a large, publically displayed screen and were sung to the public by a youth choir. This single event incorporated vision stories to “create a shared understanding of the future” (Abbas, 2023, 2. Vision stories section, para. 2) and personal stories with individual writers sharing their emotions, expressing their concerns or fears, and providing their insights about the change. Sharing diverse perspectives about the future can help to foster empathy, develop understanding, and provide inspiration and motivation for working collectively on solutions (Abbas. 2023). These are critical elements for powering a change process.

Successful Change Requires Paying Attention to the Emotional Work

Leaders with a vision for change must also recognize the emotional journey those following will be on to arrive at the vision. Ignoring the intense emotions felt by those leaving behind that which no longer serves can undermine the successful transition to the new state. When considering climate change, that transition period will be ongoing. Recognizing that people must grapple with their feelings of loss, confusion, and grief as they adapt to the changing climate allows climate leaders to assist with those emotions. One of the powerful ways to do this is through narrative and the art and practice of sharing stories.

References

Abbas, T. (2023, May 20). Change Management Storytelling Examples and Techniques. CMI. https://changemanagementinsight.com/change-management-storytelling-examples/

Azpiri, J. (2022, July 31). Design challenge brings together art and science to help change how Vancouverites think about sea-level rise | CBC News. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/sea2city-design-challenge-1.6534319

Grashow, A., Linsky, M., and Heifetz, R. (2009). The practice of adaptive leadership [Overview]. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e82693f000aa1300138cb94/t/60171e947e495b34f3663cb1/1612127893039/The+Practice+Of+Adaptive+Leadership.pdf

Kanter, R. M. (2012, September 25). Ten Reasons People Resist Change. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2012/09/ten-reasons-people-resist-chang

Royal Roads University. (Producer). (2023). Interview with Adam Lerner [Video]. Royal Roads University Moodle. https://media.royalroads.ca/owl/media/macal/videos/CALS505/AdamLearnerLeadingChange.mp4

Solvable. (2021, May 20). Emotional Climate Resilience with Leslie Davenport [Webinar]. https://www.solvable.ca/new-works/leslie-davenport

Withers, D. (2023, July 13). Unit 4: The resources – what we need in our toolkit [Class recording]. CALS505: Leading Change in the Context of Climate Change. Royal Roads University. https://commons.royalroads.ca/cals505/

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