Conscious Development Model: Transforming Professional Organizations through Empowerment and Wellbeing

As economic development leaders and K-12 education leaders, your role is to drive progress and success for your organization and community. However, the conventional approach of control-based decision-making and hierarchy structures may not be enough to achieve sustainable outcomes. The Conscious Development Model is an approach that engages participants in experiences designed to authentically transform the culture of the professional organization. Improvements in members’ sense of wellbeing result in increased capacity for conscious decision-making that actualizes sustainable systems, solutions and outcomes.

The model is designed to support participants in structuring the work environment in a manner that supports innovation, collaboration, and empowerment, creating sustainable systems and solutions through the formation of an empowered collective or group mind. It encourages participants to make the best use of all available resources in a manner that propels the organization forward and create solutions based on what will provide maximum benefit for all who are impacted by the organization or individual.

From the perspective of a Conscious Leader, their job is to recognize the unlimited potential in every member of their community or organization and show up in ways that empower them to realize and become the expression of their true, unlimited potential. In the same vein, the Conscious Learning Facilitator's job is to recognize the unlimited potential in every student and mentee under their supervision, and to show up in ways that empower them to self-actualize as the expression of their unlimited potential.

The Conscious Development Model can transform organizations, schools, and programs by creating a safe, healthy learning and work environment that actively recognizes the value and richness of the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skill sets that every member contributes to the organization. By proactively creating sustainable systems and solutions, the model promotes an inclusive work and learning environment that provides equitable access to supportive resources for all members of the organization.

Moreover, the model shifts the basis of all decision-making from control to empowerment, resulting in confident, independent learners, achievement, happy people, ongoing embedded professional development, authentic professional relationships, increased employee and client retention, reduced absenteeism rate, increased employee, client and student satisfaction, and increased productivity.

Data can depict the level of consciousness/health of the organization through attendance records, disciplinary action records, grades, test scores, accountability score data, allocation of financial resources, attitudinal surveys, parent/community/client/customer surveys, and more.

The Conscious Development Model is based on research conducted by or through several individuals, institutions, or organizations, including the HeartMath Institute, Dr. Bessel Van der Kolk, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. J. Andrew Armour, CDC-Kaiser Permanente ACE Study, Dr. Abraham Maslow, Dr. Daniel J. Siegel, Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Stephen Porges, Diane Zimberoff, David Hartman, John Mackey, Steve McIntosh, and Carter Phipps.

The Conscious Development Model offers several program components, including Conscious Development Coaching and Consulting Services, Conscious Learning Facilitator Training, Conscious Leadership Development Training, and Conscious Development Coach Certification Program. Conscious Development Coaching Services include full or partial day training sessions, retreats, meetings, individual or group hourly coaching sessions, and meeting facilitation support. The Conscious Learning Facilitator Training is a two-day intensive training for teachers, practitioners, facilitators, coaches, or mentors who provide services that support people in growing into their full potential. The Conscious Leadership Development Training is a two-day intensive training for administrators, executives, organizational or team leaders, directors or managers who are responsible for decisions that affect the whole organization. Lastly, the Conscious Development Coach Certification Program is a certification training program for Conscious Development Coach to be employed by the organization.

In conclusion, the Conscious Development Model provides an opportunity for K-12 education, healthcare, and other industry leaders to create a safe, healthy, and productive environment that supports innovation and growth. The model emphasizes the importance of developing empathy and higher cognitive functioning in individuals while also creating a safe and secure learning and work environment. The Conscious Development Model provides tools and strategies for educators and leaders to support the development of these critical skills in their students and employees.