Thought-provoking ideas, and transformative tools and training for working with individuals, groups, organisations, and communities.
Why feelings matter in decision-making - even when it’s uncomfortable
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Dear Reader In moments of political tension or organisational conflict, we're often told to "leave feelings at the door." But what if those feelings were actually part of the solution? In her book Facilitating a More Perfect Union, psychologist and Process Work author Dawn Menken writes: Politicians who show uncertainty, fear, or sensitivity are deemed weak and as a result, are often politically destroyed. This is not just a political issue, but a psychological and social issue, as well. Individuals tend to project a one-sided strength and to hold more sensitive feelings to their chest. We turn against our own sensitivity, and as a result, don’t know how to stand up for the gifts and strength inherent in our deepest feelings This isn’t just about politics. It’s a psychological pattern we all live with: we can have a tendency to value strength, certainty, and speed — often at the cost of emotional truth. But research in neuroscience tells a different story. The Science Behind Emotion and Decision-Making Without feeling, there is no direction. Even in complex, high-stakes group settings, emotions shape how we relate to each other, how we solve problems, and whether or not people feel heard and respected. That’s why learning to work with feelings — especially when they’re messy, conflicting, or hard to name — is not a luxury. It’s a core leadership skill. When emotions show up in group settings — especially conflict-heavy or change-oriented ones — they can feel like a derailment. Unspoken tension, frustration, hopelessness… These feelings often go underground, only to re-emerge as resistance, disengagement, or infighting. The Good News: It doesn’t have to be this way. There are tools to navigate polarisation, hold multiple emotional truths, and keep the group moving forward. Our upcoming Process work events and trainings focus on exactly this: building skills to navigate emotional complexity in group and systemic contexts. So whether you’re a facilitator, community leader, or someone working in any collaborative space — join us at one of the events below and walk away with practical tools and deeper insight. Upcoming Event: Join us for two days of real-world skills, emergent groupwork, and transformative practices. Indigenous leader and collaboration expert Mark Yettica-Paulson (Collaboration for Impact and Super Native Unlimited) leads our keynote, followed by a live group process, experiential sessions on tools for working on conflict by getting to the essence underneath in a relationship, and holding and harnessing the slippery line between the personal and systemic edge in groupwork. Come ready to challenge yourself, deepen your leadership, and make your contribution to building a more connected, equitable country. This is an invitation to practice a future where belonging is real, where disturbance becomes discovery, and where we find new ways forward — together. Spaces are limited, and early registration is open. Upcoming Trainings: 👉 Working with Conflict in Groups - Monday 23 & 30 June 9.30am-12.30pm AEST Most groups encounter conflict — and most facilitators panic when it happens, having never been taught how to work with it skillfully. This training helps you reframe conflict as a source of energy and insight, and offers practical tools and techniques to support group transformation when tension arises. Whether you facilitate in community, workplace, or activist settings, you’ll leave feeling more confident and equipped to meet conflict as part of the group’s growth process. Includes: Pre-reading, two live sessions, handouts, and post-training reflection. 👉 Facilitation Masterclass Series - beginning Mon 21 July 9.30am-12.30pm AEST The Facilitation Master Classes equip facilitators with practical tools to tackle key challenges and drive transformative group work. Each of the five modules empowers facilitators to take action by mastering skills in managing internal dynamics, understanding group roles, keeping the group on its learning edge, ensuring meaningful agreements, and navigating power dynamics. Through hands-on techniques and real-world application, participants will strengthen their ability to foster lasting change in their groups. Includes: 5 x Live 3hr sessions, PDF copies of all 5 powerpoint handouts, Original reading content for 3 modules + Bonus Power, Rank & Privilege mini course, 5 self-paced takeaway exercises. So let’s build a culture where sensitivity and strength can co-exist — and where our feelings guide us, not divide us. Warmly, ANZPOP |
ANZPOP
Thought-provoking ideas, and transformative tools and training for working with individuals, groups, organisations, and communities.
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