ABSTRACT
In this chapter we describe our journey of discovery into the transformative nature of presence in groups. The authors’ recognition of the power of presence occurred while working with a variety of groups both as facilitators and leaders of facilitator training programmes. Examples of accessing presence in workplace and other settings are also explored within Aotearoa-New Zealand and Australia. In the process of holding, developing and passing on this knowledge, a group of peers formed themselves into the organisation Zenergy. Over 25 years, a body of knowledge emerged regarding group facilitation and this was synthesised into five books and a diploma of facilitation. The books carried this facilitation knowledge into various parts of the world, including the USA, UK and Europe, with the books being translated into Chinese, Korean and Spanish. Participation in face-to-face and online experiences has involved 3000 people.
Forms of transformative knowledge relating to presence in groups have been noted in many indigenous and healing traditions and are beginning to be recognised within mainstream education. Thought leaders involved in developing this body of knowledge include Betty Flowers, Joseph Jaworski, Otto Scharmer, Peter Senge and Tom Malone.
There is a rising interest in the potency of presence as the sharing society grows and is enabled by a plethora of new communication technologies. Mainstream higher education is becoming involved. This chapter is one expression of the growing interest in the transformative potential of presence and collective intelligence in groups.
Our approach to the topic is through describing the nature of presence, how and when it occurs in groups, and the connection with social ecology and transformative learning. This chapter is for all those interested in transformational learning and transformational workplaces, and those who want to create breakthroughs in group and team performance.
