Courses

Our Foundations of Conflict Engagement is a 2-day course for managers and leaders who find themselves working with interpersonal, team and client dynamics. Based on the underpinnings of the Lewis Method of Deep Democracy, this specialized course covers the theory and practice of managing up, managing down and managing across within complex organizations. The Foundations training increases leaders’ capacity to succeed in turbulent times by offering practical tools for working with differences in a group and turning destructive conflict into creative tension. It is a highly experiential course and applicable to both experienced and emerging leaders

What you will learn in this Foundations course:

• A coherent understanding of how conflict emerges and strategies for preventing conflict escalation

• A simple 4-step approach to facilitation productive discussions and avoiding common pitfalls in group communication

• A step-by-step approach to dealing with a polarized issue one-on-one with a colleague, client, or partner

• An alternative decision-making mechanism for groups and individuals that is more efficient than a vote and less time-consuming than consensus building

For more details on this course, please visit this page.

Waterline Level 2 is open to those who have taken Level 1. It is designed to support integration of the theory and practice of Deep Democracy so that it becomes natural in your leadership. This peer-learning practice space develops your technique in leading groups and fosters the self-awareness and personal growth needed for mastery. Supervised group practice allows for small groups of peers to practice and learn with an experienced Waterline Teacher. A safe and supported practice environment is created to hone your skills with coaching, teaching, and action learning. 

The program consists of:

• Five 2-hour Group Sessions with an experienced Deep Democracy Teacher

• A safe and supported practice environment is created to hone your skills with coaching, teaching, and support. 

• Readings and homework

• Optional: Four 1-hour individual coaching sessions - these are recommended to help develop your meta-skills and self-awareness.

Individual Coaching: Your meta-skills and self-awareness are crucial for supporting team transformation, and your proficiency with the method can be accelerated through Individual Coaching. The DD coaching method offers personalized reflection and guidance on using the method effectively. It also enhances your awareness of personal triggers and embodied patterns, facilitating learning and enabling you to overcome obstacles more quickly. As a result, your capacity for growth and development will expand rapidly.

Level 3 is a 2.5 day course for managers and leaders who have completed Levels 1 and 2 and want to go further with the methodology and work with more emotional conflict situations. Based on the underpinnings of the Deep Democracy, this specialized course covers the theory and practice of conflict resolution. Including the tool of amplification, designed to bring out the deeper issues more quickly and safely, can lead to greater understanding, insight and collaboration.

Using the approaches of Process Work, Lewis Deep Democracy and Somatic Healing, our facilitators will work with you on an individual basis to grow self awareness and navigate the complexity and conflict in your life. This work will help you uncover your deeper knowing about your life and work and give you tools to use ongoing as you meet with stuck places along the way.

Waterline guides will coach you one-on-one to grow self-awareness and navigate the complexity and conflict in your life. This work will help you uncover your deeper knowing about your life and work and give you tools to use ongoing as you meet with stuck places along the way.