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Collective intelligence, by Robert Dilts

15 April 2019 Events

SKEMA Alumni had the honour of once again welcoming Robert Dilts for a special talk in Paris. This author, coach, trainer and consultant’s excellent reputation in the field of Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) attracted over 120 people to this inspirational event: over more than 2 hours, Robert Dilts presented his view of collective intelligence to the audience. He defines it as follows: “The shared intelligence of a group which emerges through collaboration and communication between individuals in groups and with other collective systems.”

Collective intelligence in an organisation is the ability of the people in a group to share knowledge, to think and act in an aligned and coordinated fashion to achieve critical outcomes. It’s the process whereby individuals work cooperatively to reach common goals, by exchanging information and by mutually complementing each others’ skills and experience.

It has multiple benefits:

  • The group members grow faster and the creative ability to solve the organisation’s problems improves, thanks to easier access to knowledge and expertise
  • The accumulation and integration of each individual’s knowledge and skills serve as a platform for developing new insights, new ideas and abilities.

However, not all interactions create collective intelligence. There are many examples of groups showing no increase in intelligence from the interactions between their individual members (e.g.: hysterical crowds, dysfunctional teams or families). Collective intelligence requires open communication, mutual trust, curiosity and a commitment to something more important than oneself.

 

Robert Dilts then presented the types of collective intelligence (based on their processes and their aims) as well as their premises and the cornerstones of generative collaboration (resonance, synergy and emergence), which are necessary to create it.

Generative collaboration is a process which, just like bubbles that join together to form a larger whole, involves the integration of complementary views and ideas.

Lastly, after having defined the mindsets that are conducive (the COACH* state) or that hinder (the CRASH state) the development of a collective intelligence, he revealed the 6 steps for facilitating collective intelligence:

1: Create the COACH* state*

2:  Identify a common goal

3:  Create a state of generative performance

4:  Focus attention on a goal or problem, from multiple perspectives

5:  Maintain these perspectives from a state of curiosity

6:  Allow the emergence of new ideas and possibilities


SKEMA Alumni warmly thanks Robert and Deborah Dilts for their generosity in teaching us these key elements of collective intelligence.

The full video recording of this inspirational event will be available shortly. In the meantime, we invite you to read Robert Dilts’ book on the subject: " Generative Collaboration: Releasing the Creative Power of Collective Intelligence", and check out the photos from this great event.

 

Robert Dilts travels the world to present his work and the result of some 40 years of research in personal development. SKEMA Alumni has already invited him back for another talk in 2020, to give the alumni network another opportunity to benefit from his exceptional expertise. This time, the topic will be leadership. Keep an eye on our events calendar!

 

*The COACH state:

Center yourself, especially in your belly center

Open your field of awareness

Attend to what is going on within you and around you with mindfulness

Connect to yourself and to the larger system(s) of which you are a part

Hold whatever is happening from a state of resourcefulness and curiosity

 

You’ll find our previous exclusive Robert Dilts interview here (January 2018)

More information:

www.robertdilts.com

www.journeytogenius.com

www.nlpu.com

Read a testimonial from Marc Ferber (SK 1984), a coach trained by Robert Dilts

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