When Strategic Vision Meets Reality [MaP Listening Circle]

Think of the last time you saw a clear opportunity for change at your institution. In trying to build support for a new direction, you encountered institutional reality — the inevitable constraints that reveal so much about organizational challenges and dynamics.  Join fellow MaP members to explore those pivotal moments when you've advocated for change. Maybe you successfully campaigned for a new direction or maybe you faced unexpected resistance —  Our purpose in this session isn’t to solve strategic problems. Instead, we’ll practice developing the listening skills that help us build understanding and make progress when we need to cultivate support for future initiatives.   Our theme this season is Strategy, and this listening circle focuses on the human side of strategic leadership — developing the listening skills needed to bring others along and understand when our own convictions may be getting in the way of progress. What to ExpectThis is not a workshop about solving strategic challenges. Instead, it's dedicated practice time for deep listening — hearing how others have navigated the gap between strategic vision and institutional change. During the session, you'll: • Listen as community members share stories of times when they've advocated for strategic change and what they encountered • Use our simple Miro board template to capture insights about how conviction shapes strategic implementation • Practice identifying the hidden beliefs that influence how organizations respond to new directions • Choose your level of participation — share your own experiences or simply observe and learn Follows the Chatham House Rule ("stories stay, lessons leave") to create a safe space for honest reflection. Why This Format WorksListening Circles are networking events created by and for introverts. You'll get to connect with other cultural professionals in a structured way, while developing a new skill (listening for interior cognition). Unlike traditional strategic workshops that typically generate temporary enthusiasm but limited implementation, this approach builds a fundamental capability that unlocks progress across multiple contexts. The skills developed here directly support implementation of strategic initiatives by revealing the often-overlooked human factors that determine success. Who This Event Is ForThis session will be of interest to: • Directors and department heads responsible for building institutional support for strategic initiatives • Museum professionals who need to navigate resistance when advocating for change • Leaders seeking to build stronger coalitions for strategic initiatives • Value Realization Collaborative participants practicing listening skills as part of their broader institutional transformation work • Listening Deeply course participants who want to apply their learning in a structured, 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. RegistrationSpace is limited to maintain an intimate, trusting environment. RSVP 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. If the event is full, leave a comment below ("Please add me to the waitlist").