Organizational culture develops from the inside out. Interactions between individuals, and within teams, establish patterns that are echoed at every level of the organization. Our clients use restorative practices to build these foundations with care and intention.

We believe that the use of restorative practices can be transformational. Our vision is to enable clients to become resilient organizations that:

Center People and Relationships

Resilient organizations are built on healthy relationships. They recognize the agency and autonomy of every person they work with, and ensure they all have a voice. They equip people to approach differences—in people and perspectives—with respect, curiosity, and emotional intelligence. They invest in cultivating a workplace culture that recognizes that everyone has something unique to contribute, and that diversity is the foundation of a resilient culture.

Approach Conflict Restoratively

Resilient organizations are curious about conflict and, rather than pathologizing people, seek to understand all of the factors affecting how someone shows up in the workplace, including breakdowns in communication and external stressors. They create space for different perspectives on conflict to come to light. They seek real accountability and repair when harm is done. And they work to change the conditions that give rise to unproductive conflict.

Embrace Distributed Intelligence

Leaders in resilient organizations recognize that everyone on their team knows something they don’t. They share power, involving more stakeholders in decision-making and embracing difference as the engine of innovation. They promote the flow of intelligence throughout the organization and reevaluate, redesign, and rewire in response.

Observe Organizational Cycles

Every organization, and every person in it, experiences natural cycles in productivity, enthusiasm, stability, and conflict. Resilient organizations are mindful of these cycles and plan for them in advance. They give employees the downtime they need and ensure that no one in the organization is too important to take a break. And they recognize that to be effective, they must cultivate the flexibility, vulnerability, and adaptability to continually meet the needs of the present moment—to bend without breaking.

Practice Ecological Awareness

No organization is an island; the success of each one depends upon a broader ecosystem of funders, clients, volunteers, partners, government agencies, and competitors. Resilient organizations account for ecosystem change in their planning and organizational development and adapt to those changes where necessary.