Difficult Choices [MaP Listening Circle]

Strategic decisions require more than data analysis — We need deep understanding of diverse perspectives. Yet many museum professionals struggle to truly hear competing viewpoints when faced with difficult choices. Join fellow MaP community members for a guided deep listening practice. Whether you're new to the community or a longtime member, the structured format helps create genuine connections while developing valuable listening skills for all aspects of museum work. In this session, we'll focus on a challenge many museum professionals face: making difficult choices between competing opportunities. Our theme this season is Strategy. We'll explore how deep listening can reveal hidden assumptions that often cloud strategic decisions and prevent us from seeing valuable alternatives or understanding resistance to change. A defining characteristic of strategic thinking is saying "no" to competing interests, which will be the focus of this Listening Circle session. What to ExpectDuring the session, you'll: • Listen as community members share their stories of a time when they had to choose between two compelling ideas or initiatives at their institution • Learn techniques for uncovering unstated assumptions in strategic discussions • Use our simple Miro board template to take notes that reveal deeper insights • Practice identifying the deeper goals and principles driving strategic decisions • Choose your level of participation — share your own experiences or simply observe and learn The session follows the Chatham House Rule ("stories stay, lessons leave") to create a safe space for honest reflection. Why this format worksYou've probably experienced virtual networking sessions before — the awkward breakout rooms, forced icebreakers, and pressure to make quick connections with as many people as possible. These sessions take a fundamentally different approach. Instead of trying to meet everyone, you'll hear deeply from two or three colleagues as they share their experiences with specific challenges in museum work. Whether you choose to share your own story or learn through observation, you'll come away with genuine insights into how fellow professionals approach their work — the kind of understanding that fosters meaningful professional relationships. Who This Event Is ForThis session will be of interest to: • Museum professionals seeking to strengthen their strategic decision-making through better listening • Leaders who want to surface hidden barriers to strategic alignment • Value Realization Collaborative participants practicing listening skills • Listening Deeply course participants who would like to practice what they’ve learned Value Realization Collaborative participants will find this session particularly valuable for developing capabilities that support their 2025 implementation work. While the session is open to all members, VRC learning leaders can use this as an opportunity to practice listening skills from the Listening Deeply course in a supportive environment. Preparation• Review the Deep Listening Quick Guide (sent after RSVP) • No prior experience needed (anyone can do this kind of listening!) • A stable internet connection for virtual participation • We’ll use a Miro board for collaborative practice, but you don’t need a Miro account to participate. Try Miro. About Your HostKyle Bowen will facilitate the session, drawing on his experience helping museums implement listening practices that strengthen both internal and external relationships. RegistrationRSVP for this free event using the provided link and add the event to your calendar. You’ll receive a reminder email on the day of the event with a link and instructions on how to join. Space is limited to maintain an intimate, trusting environment. If the event reaches capacity, please leave a comment below to be added to the waitlist. If you have DMs enabled in your account, we will message you when a space becomes available. Other questions? Leave a comment or contact us at [email protected].