The Circle Project

Circle Project to be featured at Applied Improv Network

We are thrilled to be featured at the upcoming Applied Improv Network conference in Banff, Canada, from November 10-13, 2007.

A unique and innovative group will gather for workshops and open space dialogue--and we're pleased to be a part of it, offering our afternoon workshop on Culture, Conflict and Creativity using experiential, interactive learning techniques. Come, join us!

Feedback from our clients...

We are always thrilled to hear how The Circle Project is received--here are a few recent notes we've gotten from clients and participants:

Patti and David were able to take us to a level of insight beyond anything I could have imagined... and do this over and over again. In retrospect, I can see that they accomplished this through a combination of ingenious facilitation and workshop design, but at the time it felt more like a magic - a sleight of hand.  We would begin by playing what seemed a simple game...and then, after laughing and enjoying gradual variations in the activity, we would suddenly find ourselves where we least expected to be: immersed in the deep end of human relationships, seeing ourselves and each other in new ways. Our group walked in as acquaintances and emerged feeling close, bonded by the experience and with a whole new language for relating to each other. It is absolutely the most engaging and enlightening workshop I have ever taken. I can't recommend it highly enough for teams with communications or cultural issues...or who just want to learn to work more effectively together. -Cate Goethals, Professor, University of Washington

We began diversity work in our organization several years ago, but through Patti and David's work with us, we have been better able to identify where our opportunities lie, where to focus our energy, and how our Diversity Council can be effective in a changing organizational climate. Patti and David partnered with us to conduct employee focus groups which helped uncover roadblocks that we may be putting in our own way, both as an organization and as a council in moving our diversity efforts forward. I believe the teaching methods that Patti and David have used with our employees have been instrumental in breaking down barriers, and have helped us to begin to understand what it means to truly build an inclusive culture. -Julie Blaikie, Assistant Vice President Human Resources, Equity Residential

Patti and David are a dynamite team with so much wisdom and power between them. Their training is like taking a personal and collective journey into a place where innate knowledge is illuminated into new ways of seeing ourselves and others. The Circle Project is both a robust and compassionate experience led by two very agile and authentic trainers. -Teresa Ferrer, Oregon Education Association, Portland, Oregon

Patti and David’s sensitivity to the needs of their clients is exceptional and beautiful to watch. It is dazzling to observe how quickly and creatively the two of them create new content and forms of coaching and training through use of anything available from participants and others as well as their own knowledge. It is not just creativity. All of their creative actions are taken from the perspective of the client. Patti and David almost never look for their own satisfaction of sharing their own ideas and knowledge even though they know a lot. Yes, they are amazing. -Kichiro Hayashi, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo

It's rare to have the safety and encouragement to explore your edges, question your assumptions, change your perspective, and have a lot of fun doing it. Patti and David's facilitation style is fluid, smart, creative, balanced, and aware. They expertly extracted the wisdom in the group and guided us through a playful, and sometimes uncomfortable, journey of discovery. None of us will ever forget it. -Marlo Goldstein, Adelante Services, Portland, Oregon

My experience with The Circle Project's writing retreat was absolutely magical!  Patti Digh's wry humor, intelligence and expertise, combined with David Robinson's brilliant ability to facilitate learning through stories and theatrical games, created an environment in which I felt completely at ease.  I was inspired and motivated to explore deeply within my own heart and mind.  Patti and David's techniques are designed to gently break down barriers between participants and allow us to experience our human commonalities and connection.  I was amazed and touched by the insights we were able to share with each other.  I definitely came away from the workshop changed in a very positive way and have continued to benefit from the insights I gained.  I recommend The Circle Project to anyone who wants to experience more joy, satisfaction and positive growth in their lives and within their organizations. -Janna Zonder, Writer, Musician, Actor, Asheville, NC

Lasting learning is co-created; in each case, we learn so much from our participants, too. If you'd like information on having us present to your group, drop us a line.