The Power of 'Co': The Smart Leaders' Guide to Collaborative Governance

This book provides real evidence of the benefits of collaboration as well as a theoretical framework on which to build the capacity of organisations and individuals to collaborate more often and more effectively to address dilemmas and find solutions that stick. Collaborative Governance demands the sharing of both power and trust. It also requires a belief in people and their strengths, clear leadership and inclusive processes. This book introduces and explains a five-step process for finding enduring solutions to complex dilemmas. If you have to work with people on complex dilemmas The Power of 'Co' is for you. Collaborative Governance is, in essence, appreciative, informative, deliberative and iterative.

Twyfords is a team of consultants with a long history of working with people both inside and outside organisations, who share a passion for collaboration. Twyfords have been operating for over 20 years from a base in Wollongong, NSW, Australia. We have always taken a Capacity Building approach to our work, seeking to enable our clients to do the work they need to do by building their Collaborative Practice. Our approach to work is Appreciative and Deliberative and encourages shared learning. We provide strategic advice to our clients. Experience has taught us that we make the greatest difference in the world when we work with decision-makers to build their organisational readiness. We do this strategic work by building relationships with our clients, understanding their needs and working closely with them as they collaborate with their stakeholders to help find enduring solutions to complex dilemmas. We believe the conversations build relationships and that relationships are an essential ingredient of enduring solutions. The process our clients apply is our Collaborative Governance Approach. This five-step process is our road map for enduring solutions to complex dilemmas. Our expertise is in governance, decision-making, collaboration, strategic stakeholder engagement and the co-creation of wise, enduring solutions. Our approach is based on the concepts of Appreciative Inquiry which tells us that better outcomes are achieved when we focus on what works well rather than on gaps, barriers and deficiencies. We take this approach to organisational change and to all our work with stakeholders. We also apply an Appreciative Approach to our work with clients. We realise that the best learning comes from 'doing' and we support our clients to learn and apply new collaborative ways of working. We are a team who share a vision and enjoy working with clients to realise that vision. We believe that people are part of the solution and our work is about helping create better solutions by working with people.