Stone Mapping and You: A 30-day micro-course
You're invited to learn a cutting-edge coaching tool (starts August 20)
I’ll keep this simple. When grappling with complex, chaotic and stubborn human challenges - I have a strong opinion. I believe we need better ways to communicate.
So, I have a proposition. I’d like to get in the arena and teach us - you? a communication tool called Stone Mapping™.
Used in South Africa after Apartheid to negotiate land rights, and with roots in the conflict analysis field *, Stone Mapping is a deceptively simple, quick and powerful tool to add to any coaching, mediating, counselling, teaching, and yes, activist’s toolkit.
As I said to the most recent group of students, if a picture is worth 1000 words so is a stone map!
To be clear, 1000 words is about 4 pages of writing, double spaced, and around 4 minutes of talking at an average speed. Compare that to just one stone map, which can be done in 1-2 minutes, and in that time conveys far more meaning than linear words ever could. Frankly, it’s a dream of a communication tool.
If you haven’t seen stone mapping yet, you’re in for a treat. Here’s just a peek at 3 finished maps:
As you can see, this is a unique way of using something tactile and visual to talk about complex things, saving time, energy and WORDS while doing so. If recent students are any indication, their family and clients are already immersed and engaged. Which is why I’m so eager for you to hear more about this.
Have you ever had a conversation where all the explaining is taking a long time (which is fine) but it means that everyone is totally spent before you even get to solutions/possibilities?
What if you could identify your biases or blind spots before making some of the biggest decisions in your life? (Yes, blind spots can be made visible with Stone Mapping!)
And how about your toughest, most difficult client situations - would you be interested in a coaching skill that untangles those? (I’m talking about the most un-coachable scenarios you’ve ever had.)
In fact…if you could learn Stone Mapping in an interactive 30 days of focused practice, would that float your boat? :-)
Introducing > > >
“Coaching the Uncoachable: Stone Mapping™ and You”
This is a 30-day group with one aim: to expand your capacity to communicate about tough topics - to yourself and others - swiftly and easily.
Led by me, Andrea J. Lee, we’ll walk through the radical up-levelling of your communication skills. And we’ll do this with a combo of teaching, demonstration and hands-on practice. You’ll resolve real-life issues as you go.
Here are some example frustrations the Stone Mapping class will help with:
“I can’t seem to explain what I’m going through and I feel really isolated. What is up with me?”
“I get this uncomfortable feeling that I’m not getting to the heart of my most important conversations, and things feel really unsettled.”
“I want to get even better at delivering value to clients, especially with their lives turned upside down, but how do I do that??”
“Someone/something in my life is creating a ton of drama, and I’m not reacting the way I’d like. What can I do?”
“I’m overwhelmed about what to do, and how to plan life/work right now. I need to make some decisions.”
“The big issues of justice, abuse of power, and violence really weigh on me and I want to get more involved.”
If you identified with any of these, I think you’ll find this class to be just the ticket.
Oh, also? This is a double-dip of value, because in addition to learning the stone mapping skill, I want you to bring specific life and work challenges to class. This way, you’ll also get direct coaching and support for those.
"Looking at a map from different perspectives rocked my world. I just did that today regarding a real life conflict I'm in... big breakthrough!" - SMY1 graduate
My commitment is that after our month together, you’ll know how to use stone mapping to:
Help you have any conversation, no matter how under pressure or emotional you might be.
Identify power dynamics - power over, power with, power to - so that you can get unstuck, not get trampled on and not trample on others.
Replace ‘why’ with better questions in your toolkit. (Hint: why is not the best question for complex conversations.)
Revisit old problems that seem permanent, and come up with new possibilities.
Make tough decisions in ways that feel good.
Create a vision and plan for the future!
In short, we’re going for the new thinking that Einstein wanted for all of us. And everything you learn is re-useable forever.
Pssst…this stuff makes coaching and communicating fun again, especially if you’ve been at this a while. :-)
So…what’s the investment for the 30-day immersion? It’s pretty straight forward. It’s USD $240 or 2 payments of $125.
Exactly what you get:
Four Live, Interactive group calls
This is where the teaching, demos/practice, coaching, and Q&A will happen via Zoom, 90 minutes per class.
Weekly Exercises
These are interesting and fun sample scenarios to practice your new mapping skills in between classes.
Online Support & Community
We will have a pop-up group on the social media platform MeWe, where current students and alumni of stone mapping will connect, give and receive stone mapping support, and get laser coaching from me. The next class starts starts August 20, 2020.
Note: this is a beta invitation, part of the first set of stand-alone groups I’m leading online in about 5 years. So that we can engage, support and be agile-as-we-go, I’m limiting the group to 40 students.
If you’re interested in more context about exactly what Stone Mapping is… read this first. As for tactical information, check out the FAQ below.
Otherwise, I’m so eager to experience this with you, and invite you to pick from the payment options above. Let’s do this!
Here are just a few words from the most recent graduates:
"This is such a valuable tool to inquire in a new way that's totally accessible and delightful." - SMY1 Graduate
"The power of nonverbal knowing, communication, understanding, access to subconscious mind! Oh and the SPEED. It totally works on a different level than just words." - SMY1 Graduate
”I’m now having regular conversations with my 17-year old son who I butt heads with a lot, using the stones.” - SMY1 Graduate
Got questions? Here are some answers!
What are the exact dates and times of the calls?
We will have four weeks of classes in total, with the week of August 31, 2020 off. Classes are on Thursdays: August 20 and 27 and September 10 and 17, 2020.
To help with time zones, you get to choose from two call times each Thursday: 10am, or, 3pm pacific. No need to attend both, though you’re welcome to. Convert your time zone here.
The first Thursday, August 20th, will be our main teaching call. Subsequent weeks will focus on demonstration, skill-building, coaching and critique. Each call will be 90 minutes.
What if I can’t attend some of the calls live?
You will receive video recordings and worksheets so you can catch up. Remember there will be two call times each week, so hopefully this makes it easier to pick a time that you can attend. If you have to miss a week, you’ll still get plenty of practice in the other weeks.
Will I be able to download and save the recordings?
Yes, they are yours to keep safe so you can refer back as many times as you like!
I don’t have a stone mapping kit - what do I need to prepare?
Most people will not have a pre-made kit (the exception is people who attended my last live event in April 2019.) That’s okay. When you register, you’ll receive instructions on how to assemble a kit of your own, including how to personalize it as we go along.
You can purchase things for your kit if you like (this should cost more than $10-20) but in most cases you won’t need to buy anything new.
I’m not a coach, is this for me? I don’t have any formal coach training, will this work?
Yes, this training is for a way of communicating, which you already do as a human being! What you’ll learn will help you communicate more effectively especially in sticky, heart-tender situations at work or in life.
If you like to ask questions, and have a curious and open mind, this will definitely be appealing whether you have any training or not. In fact, some of the biggest fans of stone mapping are not coaches at all!
I have my coach certification and lots of training, will I be bored?
It’s very likely you’ll be the opposite of bored - we’ve had trained and certified coaches, PhDs in psychology and other fields, as well as experienced facilitators in our stone mapping classes so far, and they’ve been excited and eager to use the tool.
Will I be able to use stone mapping with my own clients after taking the class, or will I need a specific certification or similar?
Yes, you're more than welcome to use this with your own clients as part of your coaching skills toolkit in private sessions. With some practice under your belt, as offered in this class, it will be relatively easy to explain the rules and have the client draw their map in session with you, which is one of the easiest places to start when doing this virtually. The demonstrations from the class will also help you do this.
Please note: taking this class does not permit you to (1) use the term Stone Mapping™ for marketing purposes of any kind (2) call yourself a teacher of the method, or to (3) sell or monetize Stone Mapping. That said, we welcome your request to be put on a waiting list to do these things. Further announcements will be ready in the second half of 2020.
Where do you stand regarding inclusion, and, creating a safe space?
I’ve written more about this here, however the short answer is that I’m committed to creating a space that maximizes learning and failing. I expect everyone’s best efforts towards a respectful, transparent and kind classroom, and you have my promise I will uphold that.
What kind of tech setup will I need?
Classes will be held on Zoom technology in a password-protected room. Each week, I will invite you to submit photos and/or videos of the maps you practice with, using your smartphone so I can give you comments and input.
While it’s not necessary, you will also receive instructions on how to set up a simple overhead shot using your smartphone and tripod, or alternative, if you have one. This way you’ll be able to share yourself moving the stones, doing mapping practice, and giving and receiving coaching.
Setting up an overhead camera shot is not a requirement of the course, however previous students have found it an exciting addition. Recommendations for a quality, inexpensive tripod set up will be sent to you (approx US$30.) Taking a photo of your maps will be the main way everyone can share each week.
What else will I need to be ready for classes?
When you sign up for the course, you will receive instructions on how to assemble a stone mapping kit using simple household items, or things readily found in nature. You can also choose to buy a few simple things if you prefer. These should not cost more than $10-15.
Will I get coaching, or suggestions/advice on the issues or scenarios I work on in class, like places I’m stuck in my business or life?
The focus of the course is on giving you the skills of stone mapping, however *yes* you will receive coaching on the problem or issues you’re practicing with along the way, if you participate.
You’ll also learn from your classmates, and the coaching they receive on their mapping practice, and the issues they bring with them.
I’m super busy and feel like I’m overwhelmed. Should I take this class?
This class is intended to help you get less busy. So if you’re busy and want to slow down, taking this class should help. If you’re busy, don’t intend to make intentional space for the class, and will feel like you’re behind before you start, I suggest you say no this time.
An outcome of this course is often that the most important things become very clear. It’s one of my favourite outcomes from stone mapping.
Do you offer refunds if the course isn’t right for me?
I hope the course experience is clearly described here, however if you discover it isn’t right for you, I will be glad to refund the full tuition when you request it by the end of the second week (August 28, 2020.)
Will there be space for questions in the course?
Yes, there will be time for questions on each class, and, you can also ask questions in the MeWe group for the class. This will be a group of smart, creative thinkers, like you. I hope you’ll create some great new connections.
What’s a MeWe group?
This class will have an online support group on the advertising-free social media platform called MeWe.com. This is a very simple site that is similar to, but not Facebook, and that you’ll be able to sign up for in less than 1 minute, for free. We’re here to help if needed, but I’m pretty sure you’ll find it simple as pie.
What can I expect after I register?
You’ll see a confirmation page, and then you’ll receive two emails (1) a receipt for your purchase and (2) a more detailed prep email to get started.
Where can I ask any other questions?
Email us at info@andreajlee.com and we’ll be glad to get back to you! To register now for Coaching the Uncoachable: Stone Mapping and You, click on your preferred payment option here:
*This invitation would incomplete without acknowledging Joan McLeod, CEO of Conflict Navigator, Inc.™ the creators of Conflict First Aid™ and Stone Mapping™ (based in Dr. John Radford’s relational mapping work). I thank her for her vision, generosity, mentoring and licence to bring this work to the coaching community.