Snapshots from current students of Critical and Creative Thinking - University of Massachusetts, Boston
Ashok Panikkar
The Business:
Meta-Culture's research, education and consulting activities can be broadly classed into these two areas:
1. Higher Order Relationship Management
This encompasses Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Advanced Communication, Community Building and Dialogue Facilitation
2. Higher Order Thinking Skills and Dispositions.
This encompasses Critical Thinking, Creativity and Innovation Training and Problem Solving and Decision Making Processes
The Structure:
We are now two organizations. Meta-Culture Consulting (MCC) is a for-profit business. Wholly owned by me, it works in the corporate space, offering consulting and education services.
Meta-Culture Dialogics (MCD)is a registered non-profit trust (foundation) that works in the community space.
The Full Time Staff:
As of last count we are nine full time staff and three interns.
Staff of Meta-Culture Dialogics:
1. Gayathri coordinates the Student (Peer) Mediation Program in the schools
2. Sunil coordinates Meta-Culture Dialogics and is our NGO guy.
3. Pinkie who has a degree in social science handles research.
Staff of Meta-Culture Consulting
1. Kim, a clinical psychologist is a mediator and project manager
2. Shiva, a computer science graduate is a project manager and poised to soon become a lead trainer
3. Rafael our French expatriate has a masters in conflict resolution from the University of Bradford, UK and is a content specialist.
4. Rachel who joined us last week is from the US and has a masters degree in conflict resolution. She is a mediator and trainer.
Support Staff
Anu is our Woman Friday and handles the administration and logistics.
Interns
Milda has a masters degree in cultural management and is from Lithuania.
Bhavya has an MBA with a HR focus from Bangalore University
Ashika has a clinical psychology degree
Our clients span from MNC's such as Accenture and Nike to local companies such as Infosys and Airtel. We are working with local schools and colleges and NGOs.
Many other programs are in the pipeline, including an inter-religious dialogue project that we are kick starting this Sunday. Thus far we have been trying to support our projects through our paying customers in the corporate sector, but this is, I realize, not sustainable. We are trying to get our act together to approach foundations for support. Our skills in the development department leave much to be desired. We need to strengthen these,
The best part:
1. Our study groups
These sessions where we deliberate concepts, explore new ideas and practice our skills is lively and most exhilarating. I have never been at any organization where there is so much fun and learning. It is a privilege to be a part of this.
2. Meta-Conversations
Structured conversations (by invitation) where we experiment with different modes of speaking and listening to enhance meaning and understanding.
3. Healthy Environments
The investment in individual growth and group development is paying off. There is much warmth and as little politics as you are likely to see in any organization.
OPPORTUNITY
I would be happy to welcome interns from CCT. Alumni who are interested in working in India are also welcome to contact me. Please feel free to spread the word if you think it is a good idea.