THE KINSHIP PROJECT INTENTIONS
Connecting through Kinship: We look to conduct primary research that aims to assess and quantify the influence of kinship and kinship groups on the achievement of sustainable change. Our corporate agenda aims to define the conditions and practices that can accelerate and sustain institutional change intentions. Our social agenda examines the correlation between kinship presence and the demonstrated advancement of social change as defined by indicators in selected areas of focus.
Igniting Social Movement: Kinship research is to be broadly shared to accelerate and sustain any intention for change. We believe that the conditions and practices that contribute to kinship can be leveraged far beyond the walls of any institution or defined group. We believe that kinship is a stimulant for social movement. When we learn to openly create meaningful and authentic relationships, we have the potential to significantly improve living conditions throughout the world pyramid.
Inspiring Global Kinship: We have a picture of success where kinship helps us move from segmented, regional interests to shared, global connections. Through an awareness of kinship as an accelerant to meaningful, sustainable change, we aspire to transform the way people live and work. And, as a result, inspire a million small unforeseen efforts and partnerships for social cures.
2. To Connect Through Kinship, in More Sustainable Ways Over the past decade we have worked with many organizations attempting to make a meaningful change, and we have learned from each and every one. Chiefly, we have learned about the difference between âchange as an initiative thatâs here today and gone tomorrowâ and âchange as an enduring force that transforms not only organizations, but the people within them.â These learnings are captured in a four-step Path to Sustainable Changethat we use every day to help people who are serious about moving from a current state to a desired state. The four steps are (1) Declare Your Intentions, (2) Define What Good Looks Like, (3) Connect through Kinship, (4) Ignite Small Beginnings. The Critical Third Step The turning point in this path is that third step, Connect through Kinship. This is where the path shifts from âinformingâ to âinvolvingâ. Put differently, On The Path to Sustainable Change, there are always The Few who know â and The Many who are thinking of other things; The Few who decide what to do â and The Many who determine how much gets done; The Few who see something new and different â and The Many who have heard it all before. Between The Few and The Many, thereâs a chasm â The Chasm of Disconnect. Sustainable Change depends on crossing the chasm to connect The Few with The Many. KINSHIP PROJECT
3. That third step is where, for the first time, it actually becomes possible to cross the chasm. Connecting through Kinship is based on the observation that people are more likely to rally to a cause than to mobilize behind an organizational objective. And they are more likely to embrace a cause when they are invited by someone they know and trust, and they feel the cause is about them and not some abstract goal. So, how do you generate those invitations, many times over? And how do you paint a vivid, engaging picture of the desired state, and have it be truly about the people who must take you there? In our experience, you create authentic empowerment, demonstrate cultural awareness, and generate empathic understanding. What Does Good Look Like in Connecting Through Kinship? Now, to enrich The Path â to make The Path in and of itself an exemplar of Sustainable Change â let us employ our own nomenclature: Our Intention is to design new tools to increase the likelihood of success in Connecting Through Kinship, and we will act on our assertion that âsomewhere, some of the time, someone is already doing something that to some extent approximates fulfillment of our intentions. That will be our initial definition of What Good Looks Like.â Through research, we intend to expose What Good Looks Like for those who have in some way, to some extent, effectively connected through kinship. And we intend to use our findings to help others make those connections in more sustainable ways. Reference: The sr4 Playbook: On The Path to Sustainable Change, 2011 KINSHIP PROJECT
4. THE KINSHIP PROJECT INTENTIONS Connecting through Kinship We look to conduct primary research that aims to assess and quantify the influence of kinship and kinship groups on the achievement of sustainable change. Our corporate agenda aims to define the conditions and practices that can accelerate and sustain institutional change intentions. Our social agenda examines the correlation between kinship presence and the demonstrated advancement of social change as defined by indicators in selected areas of focus. Igniting Social Movement Kinship research is to be broadly shared to accelerate and sustain any intention for change. We believe that the conditions and practices that contribute to kinship can be leveraged far beyond the walls of any institution or defined group. We believe that kinship is a stimulant for social movement. When we learn to openly create meaningful and authentic relationships, we have the potential to significantly improve living conditions throughout the world pyramid. Inspiring Global Kinship We have a picture of success where kinship helps us move from segmented, regional interests to shared, global connections. Through an awareness of kinship as an accelerant to meaningful, sustainable change, we aspire to transform the way people live and work. And, as a result, inspire a million small unforeseen efforts and partnerships for social cures. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
5. KINSHIP CORPORATE AGENDA Corporate research strives to define âkinship practicesâ that enhance the reception of a change intention, and the âkinship conditionsâ that contribute to the acceleration and sustainability of the change. PROJECT
6. THE KINSHIP PROJECT CORPORATE AGENDA Often, we refrain from encouraging people to cultivate and build authentic relationships within certain settings. But here is what we have learnedâpeople will embrace a cause for change when those they know and trust invite them to join the cause. And when they feel it is about them, not the cause. This is based on the central idea that our behaviors are driven by what we care about most; gaining the trust and respect of those with whom we have meaningful relationships. It is through such relationships that we can best inspire change. From there, we can ignite the small beginnings that drive a connected group to think and act differently. Kinship is formed throughauthentic relationships. Our âkinship groupâ, those with whom we have meaningful connections and common interests, signals acceptable behavior and provides credibility to any intention for change. The research examines the correlation between defined âkinship practices and conditionsâ and the reception, acceleration and sustainability of corporate change intentions. Authentic Empowerment This practice focuses on the creation of an environment where people feel they have the authority to influence and own their work, and are recognized for their contributions to work product. This comes from demonstrating a genuine understanding of the personal motivations and interests of others. It is this understanding which contributes to empowerment, and signalswhat people need to feel authenticity. Cultural Awareness This practice is demonstrated through the active use of insight and inquiry to define the unique strengths and talents of individuals within a group. Through cultural awareness, people refresh common assumptions they make about others and focus on the diverse capabilities that exist within a group or team. The practice is a pathway to meaningfully interact with a broad range of individuals. Empathic Understanding This practice looks specifically at empathyâthe ability to see the world from another personâs point of view. More specifically, it examines oneâs ability to listen and respond in amanner that demonstrates recognition of what is important to another person. Through empathic understanding, people can gain collaborative agreement on objectives and avoid applying coercionto achieve a result only a few desire. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
7. KINSHIP RESEARCH SURVEY (THE FEW*) Part 1: Insight Survey The survey is designed to provide insight into those essential practices that help you connect others to your cause, and prompt them to be receptive to your need for change. To answer, think of the way you usually do things. Use the scale to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the statements. Please consider questions thoughtfully and honestly in order to receive the most benefit from the survey. Part 2: Are You Ready to Cross the Chasm? As you work through the survey, pay attention to your reactions to each statement. Which statements elicit a clear response and rating? Which statements make you pause? Make notations as you progress to remind yourself of reactions and insights. After you have completed the 3 survey pages, review the self reflection questions which follow. Each question is designed to help you identify things you are doing / can do to better connect through kinship. *Sustainable Change depends on crossing the chasm between The Few with The Many to share intentions for change. Kinship practices are defined to help connect The Few withThe Many, and align behaviors with the intentions. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
10. Respecting and involving others in decision-makingAUTHENTIC EMPOWERMENT Engaging in genuine interactions that inspire and empower others This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009 CORPORATE KINSHIP SELF-SURVEY â PAGE 1
13. Showing fairness in tangible and intangible rewardsCULTURAL AWARENESS Using insight and inquiry to discover the unique talents of individuals and groups This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009 CORPORATE KINSHIP SELF-SURVEY â PAGE 2
16. Seeking mutual agreement on the way to do thingsNot Applicable EMPATHIC UNDERSTANDING Recognizing anotherâs point of view to best interpret what is important to them This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009 CORPORATE KINSHIP SELF-SURVEY â PAGE 3
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18. Based upon your survey responses, what kinship practices do you actively use to meaningfully connect with others?
19. Based upon your survey responses, what might you do to strengthen your kinship with others?
20. Which statements made you pause and carefully consider a response? Do any of these reflect changes you might consider in order to better connect others to your cause?This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
21. KINSHIPRESEARCH SURVEY (THE MANY*) Change Intentions and Group Survey The group survey is designed to provide insight into conditions that contribute to an environment of kinship among people. To answer, think of the way things are usually done. Use the scale to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the statements. Please consider questions thoughtfully and honestly in order to provide the most benefit from the survey. Prior to taking the survey, please take a few minutes to complete the Awareness of Intentions question on the next page. This information is reflective of the referenced âchangeâ within the survey. For definition purposes, the âgroupâ refers to your closest functional area of responsibility (team, department, work group.) Research Abstract and Confidentiality Participation in the Kinship Project is part of a broad initiative intended to define the environmental conditions and human practices that can accelerate and sustain institutional change. Each participating organization has a unique âresearch abstractâ which details the purposes, objectives and methodology for organization-specific research applications. The content of any survey or research instrument is to benefit the participating organization and sr4 Partnersâ research only. sr4 does not identify or share personal data information nor any information specific to a company or business practice with any outside party. * Sustainable Change depends on crossing the chasm to connect intentions for change with the every day behaviors of The Many. Kinship conditionsare defined to help accelerate and sustain those intentions for change. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
22. AWARENESS OF INTENTION FOR CHANGE Before you complete the group survey, please devote a few minutes to complete the following information: My group is undergoing a change. We are changing from (describe your groupâs position prior to the introduction of change):  to (describe what your groupâs position will be at the end of this transformation): This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
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24. Using insight and inquiry to discover the unique talents of individuals and groups
25. Recognizing anotherâs point of view to best interpret what is important to themThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009 CORPORATE KINSHIP GROUP-SURVEY â PAGE 1
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27. Using insight and inquiry to discover the unique talents of individuals and groups
28. Recognizing anotherâs point of view to best interpret what is important to themThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009 CORPORATE KINSHIP GROUP-SURVEY â PAGE 2
29. KINSHIP SOCIAL AGENDA Social research strivesto define contributors to kinship formation and to recommend practices and processes for creating kinship within and among networks of people working toward collaborative, sustainable social cures. PROJECT
30. THE KINSHIP PROJECT SOCIAL AGENDA We look to conduct primary research that aims to assess and quantify the influence of kinship and kinship groups on the achievement of sustainable social change. The project will initially examine the correlation between kinship presence / mobilization and demonstrated advancement of societal treatment, development and advocacy. Specifically, we seek an understanding of how kinship forms, acts and reaches thresholds of effectiveness. Our project goal is to define practices and processes for creating kinship within and among networks of people working toward collaborative social cures. Our project aspiration is to redefine social networks from those stratified by economic and social conditions to those united by a common interest in ecological, economic and social equality and security. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
31. If you or your group are interested in joining The Kinship Project or if you would like to be included in the study, please contact us at: sr4 Partners LLC 312.254.8630 kinshipproject@sr4partners.com www.subsumeandresonate.com
33. I. RESEARCH ABSTRACT FOR SOCIAL CHANGE AGENDA: MDG A research team headed by the consultancy firm sr4 Partners LLC, __________(Partners) and faculty from a growing number of Universities has been organized to assess the dynamics and drivers which can make âkinshipâ a factor in the success of entities working to enact sustainable social changes. In particular, the research considers the effect of kinship when working to advance Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs provide the research team with a decade of data on change initiatives oriented toward defined outcomes, outcomes which are monitored through published indicators from the United Nations Statistics Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Entities involved in these goals set the scene for a clearly segmented case study on kinship, ultimately allowing researchers to describe the ways in which kinship can contribute to progress and social change. Prompting this inquiry was the observation that a bond is formed between those who exhibit a common interest in social change for social, economic and ecological equality. From this observation a series of questions arise, including the four primary questions being pursued in this research: Who are the âkinship groupsâ that identify themselves as working on global and regional MDG initiatives (the intended âchangeâ)? Are there common conditions, practices and processes that contribute to the perception of âkinshipâ within and among groups working on global and regional MDG initiatives? Is there a correlation between the perception of âkinshipâ and the acceleration and sustainability of âchangeâ? What are the âkinshipâ conditions, practices and processes that can accelerate âsustainable changeâ? To research any potential correlation between kinship and sustainable change it is necessary to adopt a definition of âkinshipâ as well as âsustainable changeâ. This research begins by looking at kinship as a common social identity gained through participation in a common experience. This definition distinguishes from private identity; which is more directly how one views themselves. A difference is drawn between the perceived success of a particular MDG project, and the sustainability of a particular change initiative. The former is to be measured through a survey, and will be compared against the relevant indicators held by the United Nations Statistics Division. After âsuccessfulâ projects have been identified, the âsustainabilityâ of the change initiative is to be assessed at greater length through site interviews and a formal Sustainable Change Initiative Assessment (created to evaluate transference of original intentions for change into citizen or member behaviors.) This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
34. Once potential affinity groups have been identified, kinship can be measured through self-reporting surveys, and normalized against objective cultural dimensions as established by the research of GeertHofestede. Survey results can be separated between perceptions of kinship within and among each of the entities to isolate perceptions of kinship and conditions that enable compatibility between each entity. Those working on MDG projects, regardless of geography or field of work, can be viewed as members of one of three stakeholder groups: the project community, the project team, or the project sponsors. These stakeholders work together toward ambitious and challenging goals, the pursuit of which may itself create some perception of kinship. This feeling of kinship within, and relationships or networks built between stakeholder groups, can be a factor in overcoming the geographic and cultural divides between these groups, and lead to sustainable collaborations and outcomes. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
35. II. RESEARCH ROADMAP Research Goal: To create awareness and an improved understanding of how âkinshipâ can accelerate work the 2015 Millennium Development Goals and enact sustainable change. Research Roadmap: The roadmap describes five phases of research towards achieving the research goal.  Phase one develops the research, tools and network data model needed for robust research. Phase two starts with a survey aimed at assessing perceptions of kinship and sustainability of MDG efforts, which can be compared against other non-subjective measures of kinship and success. Phase three dives deeper on selected sites to assess the characteristics of specific change initiatives, and to gain a better understanding of what dynamics are associated with the effective use of kinship in assisting sustainable change. Phase four engages leaders in a holistic assessment of best practices, and the co-creation of a best practices âKinship Playbookâ. Phase five packages the research for consumption by future practitioners. The entire process is expected to take between eight and fifteen months. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
36. II. RESEARCH ROADMAP: PHASE 1 Phase 1 Detail: A formal research team is being assembled to guide all five phases of the Kinship Project. This team will establish instruments for gathering data, and frameworks for interpretation. They are tasked with mobilize and managing the network of entities and key informants who will be asked to participate at different parts of the research process. Most importantly, this research team will be charged with maintaining the transparency and integrity of research records so as to enable and guide future research and practice.  The first job of this team will be to review and revise the proposed research roadmap, to fix phases to calendar dates. Next the group will need to describe the scope of study â what data will be gathered, over what time period, and from which sources. To accomplish, work will need to initiate to populate a defined Content Management System (CMS) and define parameters for MDG zone mapping (target work areas globally.) With the input of key informants the team will then design and test survey instruments, establish the methodology for analyzing responses, and recommend the best way to reach the best sample set of the intended population as is possible.  By the end of Phase the research team will be ready to begin primary research. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
37. II. RESEARCH ROADMAP: PHASE 2 Phase 2 Detail: Primary research begins with an invitation to participate in research on kinship in their organizations. In the response form will be questions asking respondents to provide information which would identify their affiliation with a particular project, organization and change initiative. Respondents will be given a research summary along with information on confidentiality, rights and disclosure, and then sent an online or other survey devised in Phase 1. After a predetermined distribution of stakeholders has responded, self-reporting responses will be compared against pre-established research frameworks to provide greater context for analysis. Following initial analysis, respondents will be separated into kinship groups based on commonalities. Samples of each group will be asked to participate in Phase 3 of the Kinship Research Project. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
38. III. RESEARCH ROADMAP: PHASE 3 Phase 3 Detail: Phase 3 involves researchers conducting formal Sustainable Change Initiative Assessments to assess the endurance of change initiatives, and to create a catalog of kinship factors. After updating methodology to include any follow-up to the research done in Phase 2, research teams will be sent out on site visits to conduct interviews, create case studies, and fill out change initiative assessments. Phase 3 ends with analysis and cataloging of research for sharing back through stakeholders, as well as the selection of âleadersâ for participation on Phase 4 research. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
39. III. RESEARCH ROADMAP: PHASE 4 Phase 4 Detail: Phase 4 is a process of co-creation within the broad MDG community. The input is the experience and perspective of a variety of leaders, who can help the Kinship Research Project to develop a book of best practices for using kinship to accelerate sustainable change. The iterative survey process is loosely based on the Delphi model for forecasting, and is intended to solicit, prioritize, organize and sequence a list of best practices and key factors associated with kinship and sustainable change. The end result is a âplaybookâ that can be published back for consumption by the MDG community. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
40. III. RESEARCH ROADMAP: PHASE 5 Phase 5 Detail: With the research and resources in place, the next step is to leverage these learnings to educate organizations about kinship and sustainable change. Phase 5 draws on the participation of key informants who can assist the research team in their efforts to incorporate these lessons learned into awareness, training and education programs. While developing and testing content, the team will identify relationships modes and formats for distributing programs to those entities and individuals who can benefit from knowing about this work, and who could use a best practices âplaybookâ. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009
41. The Kinship Project is part of the work being done by sr4 Partners LLC to define how any group of people can move along a path to sustainable change. On this path there are four stages that connect the few who know with the many who are busy doing other things, the few who decide what to do with the many who determine how much gets done, the few who see something new and different with the many whoâve heard it all before. Success is achieved when the behaviors of the many fulfill the intentions of the few, and the path to sustainable change is well travelled. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. sr4 Partners LLC and Green Circle Partners - Chicago, Illinois. 2009.