The first annual Summer Leadership Institute on Vancouver Island, ‘began with the end in mind”, to create a week long learning ‘adventure’ and that common thread continued into 2009 where we:

1. Created and supported more sustainable models of leadership,
2. Fostered inquiry, discovery and co-creation,
3. Built relationships that supported each of us in bringing our best self forward,
4. Engaged in living boldly on our learning edges,
5. Went beyond the way we’ve been doing things! and,
6. Built a peer learning community.

The four of us who originally convened the institute – Sandy MacIver, Diana Smith, Mary Martin, and Michael Keller – share an unwavering commitment to leading boldly, exploring, guiding and shaping the emerging future ., We initiated, what we intended to be, a unique offering by combining a number of elements to deepen leadership capacity though opportunities and spaces:

• to learn together as well as offering the benefit of our experience,
• to discover and access other ways of knowing in nature and creative expression.
• to foster communities of interest for peer learning,
• for circle and dialogue connecting with the principles of Theory U with open heart, open mind, open will,
• tapping into the deep universal wisdom,
• for emergent conversations and reflection
• connections with larger systems.

We experienced a glorious week of learning, inspiration, reflection and integration in a beautiful setting. We were excited and humbled by the diverse range of backgrounds and experience that came together: 31 individuals with a poet and artist in residence, a gifted kayak and yoga leader. We encouraged friends and teams of people to come together, and they did.  During the week we were immersed in:

• Community conversations on topics such as Complexity, Global Perspective, Collaboration, "Playing Big" and Energy
• Collegial learning opportunities based on personal leadership challenges and collective interests
• Seminars focused on the themes of self as source, engaging others, systems and paradigms
• Personal reflection, creative expression and physical re-energizing - poetry, art, hiking, kayaking, yoga
• Collective and collaborative action learning around realities and possibilities

Some personal reflections:

In joining the summer institute the only expectation I had was that I would leave rejuvenated and with important lessons learned. I was not disappointed and had a very rich experience.

I feel more present. It's hard to describe, but I'm aware of stuff that I wasn't before. I’m way more comfortable in my skin. I feel ready to dream big and make things happen.

This has provided me with positive bursts of energy - just there when I need them. I know this sounds like the commercial, but for me it is a "gift that keeps on giving"

This was a delightful experience which has given me the faith (my angel card word) to practice this model in my new contract work.  It is amazingly relaxing and fun to generate from that inner source as the lawsuit threats and Board shoving match that I am now observing is going on. 

The experience was rich and full, and is one that I will be reflecting on for many months to come.

Thank you for modeling leadership and giving your precious time to all of us.  Thanks for sharing your sparks to help start a fire.

Leadership is a drawbridge
taking me to pathways beyond,
and in that beyond, there are
frightening apparitions in my own image.
A waterfall of emotions long iced-up,
now freed by looking in the mirror,
to cascade
like sunlight on a silver sword.
My question: Am I
King Arthur or the sword?

Sandy MacIver

We are committed to applied learning through followup and resources. Our vision is an annual institute that builds on previous learning each and every year, So stay tuned for what emerges next!!! We invite your collaboration.