Bob Stilger on “decision happening” rather than “decision making:”

I’d add to what John has written by introducing the concept of “decision happening” rather than “decision making.” It is a term I coined a decade ago and am reminded of from time to time.

Decision happening uses collective discernment to discover the decision that is happening before our very eyes. It has a very different energy than “decision making.” There is a curiosity. It has an openness and a sense of inquiry rather than a driving quickly towards a given decision. It invites the participation of spirit, non-material beings, the force of life — however one gets at the memory that there is more involved here than just humans and our human systems.

In my work I refer to enspirited leadership as the kind of leadership that invites all of us forward — intellect, emotions, spirit, hands. Decision happening relies on this sort of enspirited leadership.

I often use things like inviting people to create models with play-doh clay as one way to inquire into their lives and the decisions they are called to make. Also use nature walks, paired walks in silence where first one person, then another has their eyes closed and other guides them. I use Arawana Hayahsi’s social presencing theatre work as other pathway in.