Collaborative Strategy with Liberating Structures

Episode 18 - Nancy White In this episode of transform together, Johannes Schartau talks with Nancy White about moving from traditional strategic planning toward a more adaptive and participatory “strategic way of being.” They explore why strategy begins with purpose, how the six questions of Strategy Knotworking help groups navigate complexity, and why noticing, learning, and adjusting are more valuable than pretending the future can be planned in detail. Nancy explains how Liberating Structures such as Ecocycle Planning, Creative Destruction, and Wicked Questions can uncover hidden tensions, challenge comfortable assumptions, and turn disagreement into a source of learning. The conversation also explores why alignment does not require complete agreement and how organizations can replace three-year master plans with meaningful first steps, shared ownership, and continuous reflection. Chapters Welcome and Guest Introduction: Nancy White's Facilitation Journey (00:00:00) Rethinking Strategic Planning: Purpose, Value, and Common Pitfalls (00:01:18) From Plans to Practice: The Value Creation Framework and Iterative Strategy (00:03:34) Liberating Structures and the Six Strategic Questions (00:07:53) Ecocycle Mapping: Visualizing Work and Organizational Change (00:10:02) Navigating Uncertainty: Context, Challenges, and Wicked Questions (00:15:34) Unlocking Possibilities: Moving from Discomfort to Strategic Action (00:20:30) Building Alignment: Embracing Disagreement and Shared Ownership (00:37:38) Practical Takeaways and Closing Reflections (00:40:13) Resources: Liberating Structures and the Liberating Structures Fieldbook: https://www.liberatingstructures.com/ Nancy White and Full Circle Associates: https://fullcirc.com/ Contact: Write an email to Johannes: johannes.schartau@holisticon.de Follow Holisticon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/holisticon-ag/ Learn more about Holisticon: https://www.holisticon.de/