Swimulation

A unique and energetic approach to
unlocking deep cultural issues that hold your organisation back from doing their best work

What is a Swimulation?

It’s an embodied experience that shifts mindsets in a way that can’t be done with data and logic alone. At its core, it is a rich simulation in which participants make decisions, solve problems and strive to complete tasks in culturally diverse environments.

Participants experience the dynamics, processes and merits of different styles of working across a diverse set of assumptions. They learn to observe how they solve problems and make decisions, and they develop skills for working more effectively across differences.

The process provides a starting point to reflect deeply on systemic blockers that hold us back from working better together and create a roadmap to overcome them.

Testimonial from a participant

“The experience was fun and challenging and opened my eyes in terms of how flexible and adaptable people need to be to work together successfully”

Swimulation participant

How is it run?

Firstly, we get to know one another and prepare for the steps ahead.

Then we split into groups and experience a different world view.

Then we mix the waters and experience what happens when our hidden assumptions surface.

When we return to our selves, we reflect together on what happened and what we learnt.

Flow diagram showing the steps of the Swimulation

Why run a Swimulation?

  • See yourself, your team and your organisation from a different perspective
  • Improve collaboration, engagement and co-creation
  • Improve productivity and interactivity between people from different mind-sets
  • Identify deep systemic issues 
  • Find where to start in co-creating the culture you all want
  • A rare opportunity for deep reflection as a team and as an individual
  • Energise others to own the change they want
  • Create an environment where people can celebrate diversity of perspective and yet still have a common language to collaborate

“The Swimulation helped me arrive at some powerful insights into my personal responses when confronted with different perspectives and behavioural styles in an organisational culture context. The insights I gained are already shaping my thinking about what effective collaboration and team building looks like, and addressing unspoken conflicts that arise through all sorts of difference and diversity.”

Swimulation participant

The Swimulation can be most relevant for any organisation or community that is considering transforming itself, seeking to undergo a mindset shift (e.g. encouraging more autonomy) or needing to reinvent itself inside out, as it brings to light issues arising from different assumptions and ways of working.

It works well as a stand-alone process and works superbly as part of a longer support programme.

Try our free Open Swimulation

The Open Swimulation is a shortened version of the full GoFish! Swimulation. The Open version is offered at no cost for people who want to get a sense of what the Swimulation is and does. It’s a great opportunity for a representative from an organisation (e.g. HR) to experience the Swimulation, get a better understanding of its potential and see if it would be useful for their organisation. It also enables coaches and consultants to learn about it if considering applying it with their clients.

Next free Open Swimulation: TBA (please use the ‘Book your place’ button below to let us know of your interest – we will then inform you when dates have been fixed)

Book now to join this free Open Swimulation, to get a sense of whether this would be of value to your organisation. Places are limited to two people per organisation.

If you can’t make this date, sign up here and we’ll let you know about future dates.

How do I run a Swimulation?

Please get in touch if you are interested in running a Swimulation with your team or organisation. We’re happy to discuss your specific needs.

For guidance, a Swimulation can be run online or in-person, and is usually split over 2 half-day sessions with a minimum of 20 people taking part.

Contact us

We’d love to hear from you.

Are you interested in running a Swimulation in your organisation?

Want to experiment with Learning Labs?

info@gofishcollective.com

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