Do you have the 3 strategic tools to THRIVE in these times?
Claim the power of Story, Questions & Hosting. Here's how...
Download my free "Art of Powerful Questions" PDF
It may seem strange, but when times are changing it is easy to get stuck...
Often, when we sense the ground shifting beneath our feet, we try to hang on to something familiar. To try to move beyond discomfort as quickly as possible. To try harder with what we already know. This is a natural reaction to change.
But within any disruption are the seeds of possibility. The opportunity to start fresh and to see things in new ways. There is amazing potential inside of every individual, every group and every system.
There is a potential inside an acorn which can grow into a mighty oak.
Something is possible now that was not possible before. But we can only go there together.
Do you have the strategic tools you need to thrive in these times?
The 3 strategic tools you need
Questions
Asking a powerful question is the most simple and powerful way to make change.
A powerful question can open the doorway to a fresh perspective; a new way of looking at things. It surfaces assumptions. It stimulates new thinking and invites creativity. It can change everything.
A question can help surface stories holding the wisdom we need now for better ways of living and working together. It can spark the conversations we most need to have. It is an immediate and simple intervention into any system.
Working with powerful questions is both a leadership and a life skill. The capacity to hold space for the bigger question is what we now need in turbulent times.
Story
The most important stories in the world are hidden inside us. They are our lens on the world. They frame what we see and who we can be as a result.
Every individual also holds the gold of their lived experience in story form inside them. This is where our deepest wisdom lies.
When we change the stories we live in collectively, at work and in the spheres we are part of -- when they are more positive and generative -- life gets better for everyone. Work becomes more fulfilling, community becomes more connected and everyone benefits.
The power of transformation lies in the stories we choose to activate. In life, at work, in society: It's time to tell a better story.
Hosting
A key roles of leadership is holding a vision of the future we are moving towards. But to reach tht future we must co-create it.
Unless you can go there together – even when the going gets tough – you will not have the energy and commitment to make the vision a reality.
Participatory practice offers a way to grow the capacity to host, harvest and move on the conversations that really matter. It profoundly shifts the intention, attention and energy within individuals, groups and systems
When we move from hero to host, focusing on a balance of task and relationship, we create the leverage point to move to wiser action. We unleash the full potential of us all.
Strengthen the elements you need to thrive
Finding ground in times of turbulence needs more than technique. It needs capacity.
Powerful questions open the door to new perspectives and new possibilities. They trigger potent stories carrying the gold of lived experience. Stories in turn lead to compelling conversations. When you then work together to make collective sense and meaning, the whole system moves to higher ground. We get wiser and more capable together.
Together these aspects form a potent strategy. When you work with these elements as an individual, you build personal and interpersonal capacity. When we work with them together -- as leaders in work and life -- we increase energy and the capacity for collective wise action.
When we situate these capacities within a hosting field, the vibrant life of a beehive arises.
SOAR works with building capacity in these core aspects to bring vibrant life to individuals, groups and systems.
Whatever the change you're seeking, the questions you ask, the story you tell and how you host it into life are the secret.
Why do stories matter?
Hosting brave & transformative spaces
Regular updates
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READY FOR THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME?
Stories & Questions are your power partners
Discover the power of stories and questions by taking a handcrafted adventure.
- Changing your story is the first step to changing your world.
- A powerful question is a doorway into a whole new perspective on life.
Your adventure comes directly into your inbox.
Ready? LET'S GO!
Choose from...
Story Adventures
A smorgasbord of STORY ADVENTURES will shine a light on the stories that shape you and help you shape the world. You'll discover how stories can create your future and reflect the gold of your lived experience.
Question Adventures
A tempting menu of QUESTION ADVENTURES will help you explore the outer and inner worlds. Meet challenges, deepen your relationships, create your future. Learn how powerful questions can make a difference.
More to explore -- upcoming live events
Onsite & Online
Become a FLOW GAME Host
The Flow Game is a playful way to take action on what really matters.
It is a combination of stimulating questions, wise coaching and deep reflection. Questions become the the entrée into a fun and easy tool that creates wise council for burning issues.
All over the world, Flow Game hosts are using the game in new and inspiring ways -- with individuals, with teams, in organisations and communities.
In what fresh and new ways could the Flow Game help uplift and support your work and life?
Flow Game Host trainings are regularly coming up both onsite and online. The next training I'm offering:
- October 9 - 11 2026 in Denmark
Find out more about how you can join us...
Our next online Information Call is Tuesday June 30.
Is now your time to become a Flow Game Host?
Online first Tuesday each month
Origin & Evolution Stories
A thriving community of practice depends on deep understanding and application of methods and models. Knowing the lineage and history of what shapes the field of participation is one of the offerings of Beehive Productions.
Beehive is focused on serving "the central garden" -- the place which nourishes the core of all participatory practices and supports us to centre our humanity.
Join us at these upcoming online storytellings to unpack the origins of the methods and models that are core to group work:
- July 7: Alan Briskin: Dancing in the Field of Collective Wisdom
Register for each separate conversation for US$10 or buy an annual subscription and view all the previous Origin Stories.
First Tuesdays of the month
Dillijan, Armenia July 13 - 16
Art of Hosting
You are warmly invited to the Art of Hosting training in Dilligan, Armenia happening July 7 - 9.
Join a circle of curious and courageous co-learners on the journey of learning how to host and harvest conversations that really matter. You'll come away with the tools, mental models, methods, action learning practice and a plan that will enable you to immediately put what you've learned into action.
Our question is:
When the ground we stood on gives way, how do we find steady footing together -- and take the next step?
Art of Hosting is not just a set of methods and techniques. It is a practice of creating spaces for meaningful conversations and shared leadership,
This training is a 3.5 day immersive learning experience where participants learn through practice -- stepping into the role of host, experimenting with different methods and reflecting together with experienced practitioners.
Together we will explore how to:
- host conversations that matter
- active collective intelligence in groups
- work with complexity and uncertainty
- support participation and shared leadership
I'm Mary Alice
I've been travelling the world and going in and out of organizations, systems, communities and cultures for decades. In working with both individuals and groups, I realized QUESTIONS, STORY and HOSTING are the secret superpower of humanity. The questions we ask, the stories we tell and how we work with each other are creating the world we're living in. Every moment. Every day. Experience by experience.
When these three powerful tools work together they create the roadmap for enabling your purpose in the world.
Your questions open the door. Your story acts as a beacon lighting the way. Your capacity to to work together is what brings it all to life.
What most people don't realise is that you aren't stuck with the current situation -- you can make the choice to activate a better future.
I guide people longing to live a larger and more authentic life to uncover and craft the questions and stories that call them to live that life. And I work with groups to help them build the capacities that will bring their vision and potential into focus and action.
I just love working with groups! Here's Brian Tarallo's harvest of my workshop "Change Your Story, Change the World" at the Power of Visuals Week-a-thon. CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO EXPAND IT
"I turned to Mary Alice for support in a critical time in my work to successfully navigate a difficult merger and rebuild the team. I consider the coaching and support key factors in the success of this project. Her warm and wise presence by my side empowered me and impacted the entire organization with lasting results."
..........
Nora Ganescu
Consultant & coach, Slovakia
"Mary Alice has been a guide on our journey of service transformation in different ways over seven years. She brings crisp clarity, sharp focus, deep wisdom and a collection of stories that create space for potent conversations and insights."
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Penny Hamilton
Former Strategic Partnerships Manager, Uniting Care, Queensland, Australia
"Mary Alice has the sort of grounded presence that can hold a group of any size. I experienced her leading one of the best conferences I've attended. Many people are competent and skilled. Mary Alice has that extra spark that makes her truly inspirational."
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David Sibbet
Founder, The Grove Consultants International, USA
