Our Approach

The Intentional Evolution approach centers on four concepts:

MINDSET
how we conceptualize the work of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion;

LENSES OF IDENTITY
how who we are impacts what we do;

DIMENSIONS OF SUCCESS
how we balance identity, interaction, and productivity;

JEDI
how we create thriving individuals and communities.

MINDSET

Systems
Theory

We operate from a systems-theory perspective which emphasizes relationship as a primary source of meaning-making, community-building, and progress.

Strengths Based

“What you water is what grows”
Because we aim to achieve a healthy, positive, and thriving community, we identify the strengths, skills and resources that already exist and use these as the foundation for transformation as we help individuals and organizations to develop additional skills to strengthen their capacity.

Intersectional

We believe humans are multi-dimensional creatures. Being intersectional means that we take a both/and approach to understanding the dynamics of individuals and organizations and the complexities that come with being diverse.

LENSES OF IDENTITY

Primary Characteristics

Traits often considered to be bound to or heavily related to physiological, psychological and/or emotional self (micro-level)

Secondary Characteristics

Traits, habits, beliefs, and behaviors associated with one’s close social connections (mezzo-level)

Community Characteristics

Traits, habits, beliefs, and behaviors associated with and/or influenced by one’s community (macro-level)

Era Characteristics

Traits, habits, beliefs, and behaviors associated with and/or influenced by a period of time, or societally-significant events

Adapted from Loden, Marilyn and Rosener, Judy B. Workforce America! Managing Employee Diversity as a Vital Resource. McGraw-Hill, 1991.

DIMENSIONS OF SUCCESS

Relationship

How people interact with each other in the workspace or work together; the way self is reflected in the work and workspace

Process

The mechanisms, resources, and order of operations

Results/Product

The outcome of combining process and relationship

Adapted from the Interaction Institute for Social Change

JEDI

Foundations of a Sustainable Community

THRIVING COMMUNITY

Justice

The mechanisms, processes and outcomes that ensure a fair, equitable, and restorative resolution to harm for all involved.

Equity

Ensuring access to resources that allow all people the opportunity to survive and thrive across groups.

Diversity

The unique qualities, characteristics, and contributions that all individuals and social groups represent and offer.

Inclusion

When a group is comprised of diverse members and those members are welcomed and their ideas, needs, and ways of being are reflected throughout the organization and/or community.