|
Contact Alan Briskin by email:
alan@alanbriskin.com
|
My
interest in archetypal psychology, wisdom traditions, and the
unconscious life of groups has led me on a unique journey,
personally and professionally. Having studied
depth psychology and the history of social institutions such
as prisons, mental asylums, and public schools, I turned
my attention to the workplace as a consultant, focusing especially
on health care and education. On a 1-1 basis I work
with leaders to cultivate a stance of
attention that uses their own experience and imagination joined
with a sophisticated understanding of the system they are operating
in. On
a group basis, I convene or facilitate work teams bridging
reflection and inquiry with effective execution. In all
my work, there is an affirmation of the principle of genuine
human encounter, a belief mirrored in the words of Martin Buber
- that all real living is meeting.
Biography and Background
Alan Briskin, Ph.D., co-founder of the Collective
Wisdom Initiative is a consultant, artist, and researcher.
His most recent book, Daily Miracles: Stories
and Practices of Humanity and Excellence in Health Care,
was chosen for publication by the Sigma Theta Tau International,
honor society of nursing. He is a leading voice in the
field of organizational development and a pioneer in the area
of group learning grounded in spirit and collective wisdom.
In
1971, Alan was part of an international community in Israel,
founded on the principals of the communal kibbutz. As
an educator, he helped in the start up and development of a
free school in Maine (1973) and was the first Director of Education
for the Vermont group home that became the model program for
deinstitutionalization of confined youth (1978). His
interest in alternative educational settings continued for
over 10 years (1995 – 2005) as the principal consultant
to the George
Lucas Educational Foundation.
His
work with human potential and organizational learning continued
as a specialist in prison reform and health care. He
was the first person to research emerging theories of moral
development with prison inmates and led a model program aiding
inmates to bridge the chasm between cell block and useful employment.
In the 1980’s
he was the one of the first organizational consultants to work
with senior leadership in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, western
division. As a health
care consultant in the mid 1990’s, he helped design programs
for practicing physicians to deepen their communication skills
with patients. He is a founding member of the Relationship
Centered Care Network.
His book, The Stirring
of Soul in the Workplace (1996), was credited with helping
shape the spirit and work movement in the late 1990’s. In
workshops and conference settings, he has given keynotes or
facilitated dialogues on the human aspects of leadership and
the role of spirit in groups. He has been invited to
speak on his work throughout the United States, as well as
in Canada, England, and South Africa. He has a
doctorate from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA and is
a Professional Associate of the Grubb Institute in London. His
love of photography opened his inner eye to the beauty that
enfolds us.
Alan lives in Oakland, CA with his wife and
son. |
|
