Enjoy this video introduction explaining my own point-of-view. It will be following by other videos if you have the time.
In My Own Words
I've spent my working life as an author, master facilitator, process consultant, information designer and pioneer of visual facilitation—the use of large-scale, interactive graphics to support group process in meetings, teams, and organizations. My company The Grove Consultants International has specialized in large-scale system change processes, strategic visioning and creative, future-oriented symposia. Having retired from active management of the firm, I am now working as a leadership coach, author, and mentor for The Grove network.
I founded The Grove in 1977. It was initially called Sibbet & Associates, then Graphic Guides Inc. when I incorporated in 1988, then The Grove Consultants International as we changed our name in 1993 to signal a broader focus. Our motto has these years was "transforming the art of collaboration," a deliberate pun pointing to our pioneering work applying visual language to process leadership.
Publications
In the 2010s I authored a four-volume Visual Leadership series published by John Wiley & Sons: Visual Meetings: How Graphics, Sticky Notes & Idea Mapping Can Transform Group Productivity (2010) Visual Teams: Graphic Tools for Commitment, Innovation & High Performance (2011) Visual Leaders: New Tools for Visioning, Management, & Organization Change (2013). The fourth book, Visual Consulting: Designing and Leading Change (co-authored with Gisela Wendling, Ph.D.), was published in 2018. These books helped define a field now practiced worldwide.
In addition to this series, over the years I led the co-creation of many of The Grove’s integrated process-consulting tools and guides, including The Grove Facilitation Model and The Grove’s Facilitation book series. I also co-developed the Drexler/Sibbet/Forrester Team Performance™ System and its Team Leader Guide 2.0 and related on-line assessment, the Sibbet/Le Saget Sustainable Organizations™ Model, and The Grove’s Graphic Guides® System of large pre-designed visual frameworks for working on the wall, tables, workbooks or virtually.
Theory of Process
In 1976 I began studying with Arthur M. Young learning his Theory of Process, a powerful integrative framework outlining how evolutionary process works at the largest and smallest levels of life. It has become an operating system underlying all of The Grove's work and is continuing to be a focus as I head into writing a new book, The Seven Transformations of Organization. The applications we've developed now support Grove teams working with organizations in all stages of development—leading strategic-visioning sessions for groups and divisions, helping develop collaborative team cultures, designing Grove Storymaps® for special kickoffs and change projects and now offering coaching services to leaders interested in developing transformational competencies.
Work Experience
In my work experience I was involved with the growth of Apple Computer in the 1980s and facilitated the change-management team at National Semiconductor during its turnaround in 1990. I also worked extensively with HP, Agilent Technologies, Procter & Gamble, Juniper Networks, Autodesk, Otis Spunkmeyer, Nike, the American Institute of Architects, Adobe, and the National Park Service among dozens of other organizations. These jobs took me around the world.
In addition to my private-sector work, I have sustained a diverse involvement with foundations and nonprofits. Over the years I have helped design and lead numerous board/staff retreats, strategy sessions and cross-organizational social change projects. I was a longtime affiliate with the Institute for the Future in Menlo Park, CA, and a longtime member of both the Organizational Development Network and the International Forum of Visual Practitioners.
Education & Memberships
Educationally I hold a master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and a B.A. in literature from Occidental College. I was awarded a Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs in 1965 to study metropolitan public affairs in Los Angeles, CA. Prior to founding The Grove, over eight years of involvement, I was executive director and then director of training for the Coro Center for Civic Leadership (now Coro), a leadership-development institute known for its pioneering work in experience-based education. I am a past chair of the Coro board.
In 2007, the Organization Development Network awarded me and The Grove its Membership Award for creative contributions to the field of organization development. I received ODN’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2013.
I currently works from my home studio in Petaluma, California. I am active on the board of California Poets in the Schools, the board of the International Forum of Visual Practitioners Institute, and a transition team members for a new non-profit called Gather Petaluma: A Place for Community.