Letting Go: Using Liberating Structures as an Approach for Institutional and Organizational Change

Presentation Overview

Meaningful organizational change requires more than new policies and strategic plans. It requires creating environments where every voice is heard, innovation is encouraged, and leadership is shared. Traditional top-down approaches to change often overlook the collective wisdom of employees, resulting in resistance, disengagement, and missed opportunities for sustainable transformation.

In this engaging and highly interactive presentation, Dr. Davi Kallman introduces Liberating Structures, a collection of facilitation methods designed to replace conventional meeting formats with inclusive, participatory approaches that unlock creativity, strengthen collaboration, and accelerate organizational change. Participants will learn how these simple yet powerful structures can transform meetings, strategic planning, problem-solving, decision-making, and team engagement.

Drawing from organizational leadership, change management, communication, and higher education administration, Dr. Kallman demonstrates how organizations can “let go” of hierarchical practices and embrace collaborative leadership models that foster innovation, trust, and shared ownership of change initiatives.

Participants will leave with practical facilitation techniques they can immediately apply to improve engagement, strengthen organizational culture, and create lasting institutional change.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

  • Understand the principles and philosophy behind Liberating Structures.
  • Recognize the limitations of traditional meeting and decision-making approaches.
  • Learn how participatory facilitation increases engagement, collaboration, and innovation.
  • Explore a variety of Liberating Structures and determine when to use each one.
  • Develop strategies for leading organizational change through inclusive participation rather than top-down direction.
  • Practice facilitation techniques that encourage diverse perspectives and shared problem-solving.
  • Leave with practical tools for transforming meetings, strategic planning, and organizational culture.

Ideal Audience

This presentation is designed for:

  • Executive leadership teams
  • Higher education administrators
  • Student affairs professionals
  • Faculty and academic leaders
  • Organizational development professionals
  • Human resources professionals
  • Change management practitioners
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Government agencies
  • Corporate leadership teams
  • Project managers
  • Team supervisors
  • Professional associations
  • Anyone responsible for leading teams, facilitating meetings, or driving organizational change

Length Options

30-Minute Session

An engaging keynote introducing the principles of Liberating Structures and how participatory leadership can transform organizations.

60-Minute Workshop

A practical presentation that introduces several Liberating Structures while demonstrating how they can improve meetings, collaboration, innovation, and organizational change.

90-Minute Interactive Workshop

A hands-on learning experience where participants actively practice multiple Liberating Structures, apply them to real organizational challenges, and leave with facilitation strategies they can implement immediately.

Half-Day Professional Development

A comprehensive, highly interactive training that allows participants to experience a variety of Liberating Structures while learning how to facilitate meetings, strategic planning sessions, problem-solving initiatives, and organizational change efforts. Participants will develop customized facilitation plans tailored to their own institutions and organizations.

Custom keynote, conference, retreat, strategic planning, and leadership development sessions are available upon request.

Book This Presentation

Interested in bringing Letting Go: Using Liberating Structures as an Approach for Institutional and Organizational Change to your organization or event?

Whether you’re planning a leadership retreat, strategic planning session, professional development workshop, conference, or organizational transformation initiative, this presentation can be customized to address your organization’s unique goals and challenges.

Book this presentation today by visiting the Contact page. Together, we can transform the way your organization approaches collaboration, decision-making, and change by empowering every voice to contribute to meaningful and lasting innovation.