The Art of Possibility

WE ARE MOVING!

2010-03-12T08:44:00.000-08:00

Hi there!

You will find me HERE! I am moving my blog to www.idea-360.com/blog. We are still working out the kinks over there...like how to insert a thumbnail image so it doesn't say...no image, but otherwise, we are good to go. Lots of SXSW info over there!

Thanks!

Janine

Mapping at SXSW!!!!!!

2010-03-08T12:54:00.001-08:00

I am beside myself.... I will be MAPPING at SXSW next week! Follow us here! I will be heading to a whole bunch of sessions and mapping the journey. You can also follow me at twitter/janineunderhill!

I have a crush on David Byrne

2010-03-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

Ride, Rise, Roar trailer from ride, rise, roar on Vimeo.

I have this long lasting magnetic attraction to David Byrne and his work. Now...25 years later... I play Burning Down the House (quite loudly) in the AM before I take my 7 year old to school. How could someone start their day off on the wrong foot when you have danced around the kitchen in your PJs while eating French Toast?

This latest video sums up what happens on the inside of my brain. RISE RIDE ROAR fascinates me. I am in awe of the creative experience- when someone follows the experiment of making stuff happen... it's almost as if, his process gives me greater license to follow my intuition and make stuff happen.

WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION TO "MAKE STUFF HAPPEN" COME FROM?

So enjoy!

Ch ch ch changes.....

2010-02-24T17:47:00.000-08:00

... I will promise a somewhat personal peek into the stories that have been building for 2 years.

A poem I found today that seemed to sum me up.

I hope you will go out and let stories happen to you,

and that you will work them,

water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom,

till you yourself burst into blossom.-

Clarissa Pinkola Estes

You see, in a matter of days, this blog will look different and you will hear about a project I (we) have been working on for a long time. All it takes is a life changing event for the questions to show up differently!

I have lived with the questions....

how do I make sure I am part of the solution?

how do I make sure that this place is a good place for my young son to inherit?

how do I bring the thing I love to do most in my professional life to the biggest questions facing us today?

.......and......how can I go flyfishing more often?

As they say, the more beautiful the answer begets a more beautiful question...so, the more incredible the answers, the deeper the next questions- hence the 2 years of work.

Stay tuned folks...I promise it to be cool

Happy Holidays

2009-12-24T21:52:00.000-08:00

Wishing you the warmest holiday season!

We are looking forward to launching some new and exciting programs in 2010. For now, we will be spending time with family and playing outside in the snow as much as possible.

JOY

Janine and the team at IDEA360

IT'S REALLY THERE, REALLY REALLY THERE!

2009-12-08T09:21:00.000-08:00

Margaret Wheatley played this video at the conclusion of the ETDA conference I attended over the weekend. I have played it many times since and each time, I am struck by....the incredible nature of the message. I hope you enjoy it and pass it on...

What a treat!

2009-11-13T11:31:00.001-08:00

IT'S the DREAM TEAM!

Emily, Paula and myself were working with Dana on a project for MARS, Inc. last week... how great it is to work with incredible women who do amazing work. Just too good to be true!

THE BIG IDEA and BURRITO BREAKFAST

2009-11-13T10:31:00.000-08:00

Every month or so I have the good fortune...actually the incredible fortune to gather for breakfast with some of the MOST creative brains I know. We get together to talk about what we are thinking about, our curiousities, hiccups, brain spurts and new connections. This is the most valuable time for me because I am in the company of people who a pushing the walls out a little, moving forward with their hearts (no matter what others think) and doing good work in the world.

This is a mack daddy burrito...the picture does not do it justice!

I think we have been getting together for more than 2 years.

In that time we have navigated a political and economic time event where creativity and whole brain thinking may have been pushed to the back burner. The exact opposite has happened. We have followed our ideas more closely, we have listened to our own hearts and the hearts of our clients more deeply. We are initiating programs and whole new organizations to address the new needs that are emerging!

This is MARTY- he had a GRANOLA BANANA SPLIT...holy cow!

I think we are more dangerous when we are alone with our ideas. I wish this wonderful experience gathering around a cup of coffee on everyone I know. Your TRIBE helps keep you whole, helps you move that idea forward with more courage, and helps you connect by the simple act of turning to one another.

OH PS.... did you know Dan Pink has a new book coming out soon? I can't wait! I will be doing some graphic facilitation work with Meg Wheatley in a few weeks, if you havent read her book...TURNING TO ONE ANOTHER... READ IT!

The Theory of FUN!

2009-11-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

WOW... so much happening over here! Lots a fabulous work! A few weeks ago I was able to work with a fabulous group of graphic facilitators at a Glaxo Smith Klein Sales meeting- all 1800 of them. Then the next week it was off to work with the Global Communications Team for the World Bank and then last week with the 'dream team" at MARS, Inc.

Now, we are focusing on connecting IDEA360 and FutureWave Consulting! More on that soon! Look for a short film I am working on that will give you an idea of what that is all about.

FUN!

With so much deep challenge that just seems parked on doorsteps right now, the idea of FUN! seems compelling and also elusive. I love this series of videos that speak to behavior change and fun. I feel like I want to spend one day and explore what that might mean and how I might be able to bring it to my door step...which in turn means I bring it to others.

So much going on... SO MUCH!

2009-09-22T19:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been busy... I mean really really busy.

I almost dont know where to start. So... as you will gander back in my blog history you will see mention of a few incredible new things that have been emerging. And... they are ALL emerging and taking flight. What is really amazing is that I have an opportunity to tap into what really makes me tick (possibility) and I see this in all that is evolving. And all of this wouldnt be happening if it werent for Wendy White. She has been a true innovation partner and we have incredible stuff on the horizon.

So... for short, go check out FUTUREWAVECONSULTING.com. I will be back with some great stuff we have been working on, a few incredible maps from the New Economy meeting we did a few weeks ago in DC, some maps from a meeting with Margaret Wheatley, Dr. Bertice Berry, new strategic partnerships, international work and so much more.

I leave you with some incredible thoughts that might just drive everything you do to a new level....check it out.

::::::::::::::::::awesomeness is the new innovation::::::::::::::::::::::

http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/haque/2009/09/is_your_business_innovative_or.html

SUMMER

2009-06-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

Oh so much going on this summer! I have not been here much because I feel things are moving at the speed of light. We spent a wonderful week on the Yampa river last week and came back with a gazillion mosquito bites, with river sand in every crevice and very happy!

Yesterday I was asked to help create some templates for a new Ladies Who Launch program that will be rolled out later this year! I am looking forward to this and looking forward to collaborating with Laura West on the project.

You will see a newletter arrive soon! Have been working on this for a while. You will also see some changes on the website...time to adapt! AND....if that is not enough, you will see some changes around here too! Check back because we will be offering some free templates and guides this summer.We just love SMARTWOOL! We just completed an interesting project. We created

'5' 6ftx7ft graphic murals for a National Sales Meeting! We thought that they came out GREAT!

Thanks for stopping by!

INSPIRED IMAGES that LEAD TO INSPIRED ACTION

2009-03-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

I just completed this thinking map for Laura West for her "Own Your Big Self Teleseminar". I am always reminded to get out of the way. Initally we were using the metaphor of the petals of a flower to help guide the idea that marketing our businesses is more than just a message. When we take a look at all that goes into it, the message can be much fuller and more impactful. We needed to keep the image open and light so people has space to fill it in. What emerged was more like a sun with its rays and the center of all of it is where the power is. So, I am reminded always, to get out of the way and let the image emerge. I approach my work by listening on a lot of different levels. What we need the most now is connection and meaning. The meaning belongs to the those who are inspiring it, I have seen time and again, that the action the results holds more potential and is inspired in itself.

If you have a project that might benefit from Graphic Facilitation (of course, I think all conversations and meetings can benefit- but I am a little biased- in a good way) and you just arent sure what the first step is; feel free to send me a note and we can explore it together. There is nothing more powerful than having the big picture!

I got Twittered, or is it tweeted, or is it chirpped...

2009-03-18T14:06:00.000-07:00

Updates beginning with @idea360
MrTweet_Alert@idea360 Hi! To help relevant folks discover you, we added your followfriday recommendation: http://cli.gs/8XJuv6

I dont really know what this means, except it was a first!

I am getting the hang of how COOL twitter is. It is way more powerful than any of the other applications I kind-of use. And, for my type 6- "inattentive ADD" it is PERFECT!!!!!! How great to get sound bites that send me into my most favorite way of learning- DISCOVERY.

Today Paula Thorton twittered- "Innovation is MORE about discovery than it is ideas. The 'biggest' contributions are the little ones." I grabbed this idea and have pondered it all day.

My greatest discovery as of late is the development of The FutureWave Collaboratory. This is a project I have been co-creating with Wendy White. It was an idea born out of asking how I could be a part of the solution in these weird uberchanging times. I know that vizualizing and mapping ideas is one of the best ways to arrive at clarity and see the big picture. It has been helpful for the clients who are making it a part of every conversation! We are focusing on the DISCOVERY, the 360, new ways of seeing and new ways of planning the next best step. It is out of discovery that we have arrived at the ideas that are leading us forward. And now we are ready to go!

I was capturing Ole Qvist Sorenson at the VIZTHINK09 conference. I really believe now is the time to look for opportunities to contribute, the nudge opens up an incredible landscape of discovery, and we can make a bigger step than we can imagine possible.

Graphic Facilitation...... map

2009-03-12T17:03:00.000-07:00

I have just discovered this depiction of the Graphic Facilitation process created by Neuland. Although I can not read the details, I am more intrigued by the incredible sense of POTENTIAL that comes from a group meeting this is graphically captured. It almost doesn't matter what the details are, except to say that by capturing the information as it emerges, we have an incredible opportunity to leverage the genius in the room in so many ways.

As we experience such challenging times, isn't the GENIUS IN THE ROOM our greatest asset? Arent those ideas priceless to innovate from, build understanding, create synergy, SEE gaps, and inspire collective perspective? We know that we have been called to action... and the changes in the conversation will happen one at a time... BIG PICTURES will be an incredible asset in getting everyone on the same page.... faster, cheaper and in a more meaningful way.

Time Line for an amazing non profit!

2009-03-10T16:54:00.000-07:00

Everytime I do a timeline or I work with an organization that is doing a story telling map, I emphasize the idea that they will know more about who they are after the first round is done. Quite often, they say, "we will get it all the first time around". Well, I haven't been wrong yet. What is so important about this act of clarification and reflection is that the organization makes decisions about the stories they want to carry forward. Who knew the color of the Bug would be important or that the wheels of the bike needed to be equal in the front and the back, or the first fundraiser sold cakes and not cupcakes? Well, for this organizations it mattered! Their story tells more about who they are and how they do business than anyone might know. Self Help has played a vital role in influencing predatory housing laws for almost 30 years and has been incredibly influential in rethinking downtown Durham NC. It all started in the blue Volkswagon you see pictured at the front of the map... for HP it was a garage and for these folks, it is a Bug.

Write your story, and then write it again. The richness comes the second time around. Ohhh how lucky I am to do what I have the priviledge to do- capture stories.

Recording David Sibbet at VizThink09

2009-02-25T08:54:00.000-08:00

I am capturing my notes at the VIZTHINK conference in San Jose. This is day 2 of the conference. The highlights have been the keynote speakers and breakouts- Kinesthetic Modeling, Dan Roam and the stuff that is happening at Autodesk.

I was thrilled to see where visual thinking is right now, so many people using it to communicate better stories. It is subtle and profound work because the meaning making is in the brain before it exsists in our outer world. I feel more compelled to explore the ways the images can be useful than ever before... perhaps, because we need it now more than ever.

2009!!!!!

2009-01-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

It is 2009. Feels far different than many other years. I hope this year holds lots of goodness for you and your endeavors.

Our holiday season was simple and felt very real. I did very little running around and the gifts were mostly handmade. I will stay this course for years to come.

I know it sounds nuts to say that these times- while unprecedented- are exactly what we needed. Course correction is a natural state of equalibrium and I feel that the pendulum had not swung far enough to really make a difference. All of our focus needs to point to what we DO with this new information and how we will do it differently. I just love Einsteins quote- "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

I will be launching a number of new projects this year and I am thrilled to collaboratively bring them to the market. I am maintaining my emphasis on visual learning... my heart and mind live here. I am following a significant interest in INNOVATION and shift of thinking. I am so excited about this new year!

Janine

BEING AND DOING

2008-12-07T16:55:00.000-08:00

We are in day 3 of the ETDA Summit. Edie and Charlie Seashore facilitated our gathering and the emphasis has centered around the "SELF". What has emerged for me, is the need to BE for an ample period of time before the being begins.

ETD Alliance!

2008-12-04T05:54:00.000-08:00

Heading to Baltimore to participate in the ETD Alliance Summit. I am thrilled to jump back into the Experiential world that has created the base of all of my work. I am wildly curious about intersections and connections. As my worked is broadening in scope, I am certain I need beginners mind more than ever. More news to come!

This year, 2008, we are pleased to announce Charlie and Edie Seashore as our distinguished guests that will engage the group in meaninful conversation about Authentic Leadership. Topics will include personal development and awareness of the 'use of self' as consultant. We will be invited to thoughtfully consider, ponder, and apply the concepts and exercises to our individual businesses.

::TIP3::

2008-12-01T16:54:00.000-08:00

"Don't give up... no matter what" - Pete Seeger

Pete Seeger at 89 still sits and entertains with his stories and his music. What makes his performance different is the sage wisdom, stories and perspective. He has earned the place of "elder" and we are hungry to hear what he has to say. He delivers stories centered around his memories of his father that are timeless and have perfect lessons even in these times. He speaks slowly with intent and through his heart. He speaks of graditude and acknowlegdes those who have supported him on his journey. He speaks globally, sings globally and speaks of things that are uncomfortable.

My curiousity piques and I want to know more.

Why do we want to hear from those who have seen far more than we have?
Why are we monitoring their panic/peace thermostats?
Who are the Pete Seegers in organizations and do they know what their role is?
Do we recognize how CRITICAL it is that we slow down long enough to hear with our hearts.

You will hear this more than you want to on this blog. I am thrilled by the opportunities that are before us! I am listening more, asking more questions, calling BS more often and challenging my own feelings of fear.

The opposite of "giving up" is to fully engage.... and the challenge to me is to fully engage.... NO MATTER WHAT!

Pete Seeger occupation: Activist, Legend

2008-11-26T06:25:00.000-08:00

::TIP 2::
Inspired action is easier when we believe we can make a difference.

"And then small happened....
Enron (big) got audited by Andersen (big) and failed (big.) The World Trade
Center was a target. TV advertising is collapsing so fast you can hear it. American
Airlines (big) is getting creamed by Jet Blue (think small). BoingBoing (four
people) has a readership growing a hundred times faster than the New Yorker
(hundreds of people). Big computers are silly. They use lots of power and are not nearly as efficient as properly networked Dell boxes (at least that’s the way it works at Yahoo and Google). Big boom boxes are replaced by tiny ipod shuffles. (Yeah, I know bigscreen tvs are the big thing. Can’t be right all the time). I’m writing this on a laptop at a skateboard park… that added wifi for parents.
Because they wanted to. It took them a few minutes and $50. No big meetings, corporate policies or feasibility studies. They just did it.
Today, little companies often make more money than big companies. Little
churches grow faster than worldwide ones. Little jets are way faster (door to door)
than big ones. Today, Craigslist (18 employees) is the fourth most visited site according to some
measures. They are partly owned by eBay (more than 4,000 employees) which hopes to stay in the same league, traffic-wise. They’re certainly not growing nearly as fast.

Small means the founder makes a far greater percentage of the customer interactions.
Small means the founder is close to the decisions that matter and can make them, quickly.
Small is the new big because small gives you the flexibility to change the business model when your competition changes theirs.
Small means you can tell the truth on your blog.
Small means that you can answer email from your customers.
Small means that you will outsource the boring, low-impact stuff like manufacturing and shipping and billing and packing to others, while you keep the power because you invent the remarkable and tell stories to people who want to hear them.
A small law firm or accounting firm or ad agency is succeeding because they’re
good, not because they’re big. So smart small companies are happy to hire them.
A small restaurant has an owner who greets you by name.
A small venture fund doesn’t have to fund big bad ideas in order to get capital...."

written by Seth Godin http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2005/09/whos_there_the_.html

2008-11-24T07:11:00.000-08:00

100 TIPS Project.

I am starting the 100 tip project! Because we are in an "unprecedented time" meaning there is no previous evidence established to inform the present day... we need to find small tips that combine providing common threads. I am curious about that those threads might be and what we can learn from them.

::TIP 1::

We tend to think that leadership is something that happens at the top. True, but what is perhaps more true is that acts of leadership happen across and throughout business, day in, day out. Identify these acts of leadership, encourage them and communicate them widely. Doing so helps to demonstrate that all people can offer leadership and will also help acts of leadership to flourish.

What does your business recognize as leadership?

2008-11-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

We need a reminder right now, more than ever!

A video that brings the power of the image to the dreams and ideas we hold and have hope for. I think we are all in need of ideas that inspire action and those ideas need a new elevation and wide open spaces. Happy ideaing!

Keep posted on Possibility NOW! We anticipate having something concrete very soon!

2008-11-16T21:24:00.000-08:00

We have started the project. We had 8 people at our first cafe. We learned so much about what is needed and what we need to do to get it right. We feel good that this is what is needed right now.

We presented a 4 hour program in 2.5 hours. It was fast... too fast. We know that this work needs at least 4 hours or more. We used Graphic Recording to archive the meeting and we used a template packet to help further the learning. We filmed the process and I will post that here as soon as I get it edited.

We are looking for opportunities! Please contact us if you have any leads!

Janine

Possibility Project- Possibility Cafes!

2008-11-03T12:06:00.001-08:00

Nearly 4 weeks ago, I was watching The Big Idea by Donnie Deutsch- the episode named Fighting for Main Street and it was at that moment that a number of things fell into place for me. As the economy has spiraled downward, my curiousity has spiraled upward. I had been asking myself how I could apply what I do best to our current situation to help those who are feeling the effects of our economic downturn. I became somewhat obsessed thinking about this- as I went to bed, as I woke up, as I was doing other work. It was in the moment that Donnie looked directly in the camera and said "we have to come together to survive these hard times, we need to find ways to survive and thrive". I thought... that's it! "How do I create something beneficial and make it available to those who need it". I can help people survive this time and come out the other end having learned new traits, with a big picture they feel passionately about, and clear about their thinking! I spent the next day or so in lots of creative tension. The name of the program came in the shower, the form of the program came to me in the car, and a number of resources have just showed up. It been amazing how things have come into line. I put together some ideas and made a call to some dear colleagues and told them my idea. They all said yes. We are piloting our first Possibility Cafe on November 5.

The concept of "cafe" embodies conversation and dialogue. I think it is critical for us to have conversations that are directed toward positive outcomes, this is the first step in reversing the downward spiral. I know that tools and information are only helpful when we have time to explore, reflect and make it real in our lives. The concept of "possiblity" means everything to me. I live in this state almost all of the time. I think we can make it through almost anything when we are able to envision the possibilities that live on the other side. My colleagues are the best at facilitation, convening conversations, asking curious questions and helping their clients to connect to the work they are doing. They practice experiential learning, systems thinking, mindset and belief work, visual learning, storytelling and "indoor/outdoor" communication, strategy planning, goal setting, visioning, and group training. We will be using the work of Systems Theory by Peter Senge, World Cafe techniques by Issac and Juanita Brown, Creative Problem Solving by Robert Fritz, Blue Ocean Strategy by w. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne, Law of Attraction made famous by Esther and Jerry Hicks, and Neuro Linguistic Programming, Marketing ideas from Seth Godin.

OUTCOMES
We are creating a program that will help individuals move from a place that might feel stuck and hopeless, to a place where action is inspired action. We are creating learning maps to help anchor the information and experiences and we will start to build a resource book.

We welcome anyone who wants to participate in this FREE event
Weds November 5th
6-8:30pm
2465 Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80214

If you would like to reserve a spot, please call 303 523 1072

If you are interested in learning more, please contact us after November 5th- we will know a lot more then!

Have a great week!
Janine

Gift for Susan Schacterle Book Campaign

2008-10-27T21:28:00.000-07:00

Mapping Possibilities
Personal Visioning and Planning

By Janine Underhill

Possibility Maps are part of a visual learning process designed to help you identify and work with thoughts, energy and direction.

Janine Underhill, the founder of Idea360 (www.idea-360.com), a consulting company specializing in combining meeting processes and visual learning, presents a highly engaging and fun way to pull your vision components into a powerful, focus-magnet roadmap. We have created a graphic template and a discovery learning process that you can download and begin working with immediately. You will have an opportunity to explore your vision, focus areas, beliefs and thoughts, stops and starts.

We will include directions on how to enlarge the learning map to poster size or you can work with it in it’s original form- 11x17. You will have an opportunity to use this template over and over again or as a supplement to other coaching or personal development work. (valued at $150.00).

UPDATE: Due to a technical hiccup, I am unable to embed the templates into the blog... so instead, I would like to email the tempates directly to you!. Please leave your email address in the comments line or email me directly with your email address and I will promptly send you the discovery templates! (janine@idea-360.com).

Thanks so much for your patience!

Very Best!

Janine

LOHAS!!!

2008-07-03T00:23:00.000-07:00

We have just returned from the LOHAS conference-June 18-21st, Boulder, CO http://www.lohas.com/forum/

Idea360 http://idea-360.com was asked to graphically record the key note and general sessions. The intent is to capture the essence of the discussion and the specific points, statements, and agreements in a graphic format. I use felt markers and large sheets of butcher paper. The output of each session are large, illustrated maps that you can use to unpack the conversation at a later time. This visual method is a powerful tool that assists learning and communication between groups and individuals. All of the maps will be made available to all of the participant via the LOHAS and Idea360 websites. We are also creating a "Learning Report" that will pair right brain memory and high level learnings from almost all of the breakout sessions. The intent of this document supports systems thinking because people’s sense of how elements relate comes from displaying distinctions in form or framework. We hope to provide a tool that encourages the juicy conversations at the conference are carried back to the office. Too many times learnings from gatherings of this magnatude dimish over time- we hope to make the invisible- VISIBLE!

Joseph Coplans, Wendy White, Julie Primozich and myself are so excited to announce a new venture!

PROJECT GREEN DREAMS! http://projectgreendreams.com

Project Green Dreams, a Denver and Raleigh/Durham based firm, consultants with organizations to empower sustainability. With 30 years of combined experience consulting with Fortune 500 companies, Project Green Dreams opens the door for the flow of possibilities and ideas. Project Green Dreams was created to accelerate innovation and magnify vision! We want to make it possible for people to believe in what’s possible, share ideas, imagine outcomes and figure out the best way to get there!

What are GREEN DREAMS? Green Dreams are discovered from the heart of the organization, working to inspire a roadmap for innovative sustainability success. A company’s green dream gives new choices to its customers and prepares its employees for a viable future.

To celebrate, we will be taking applications from organizations that would like to partner with PGD’s to envision and create their own Green Dream. Complete the application (located on our website) to win up to $25,000.00 in free PGD consulting

Welcome to the Blog world!

2007-01-03T13:25:00.001-08:00

I will be starting to post regularly. Stay tuned!