CONVERGENCE

LEARNING LAB

Research-based. Practice-tested. Designed for Action.

Today’s leaders face increasingly complex challenges that no single person, organization, or sector can solve alone. Yet polarization, mistrust, and conflict often prevent people from working together effectively.

The Convergence Learning Lab equips leaders with the collaborative leadership skills needed to navigate disagreement, build trust, and solve complex challenges. Built from nearly two decades of real-world practice, our workshops, consulting, and online learning experiences translate Convergence’s evidence-based collaborative problem-solving methodology into practical tools leaders can apply in their own organizations, communities, and collaborations.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Build trust across differences

Navigate disagreement with confidence

Understand the forces driving polarization

Lead productive dialogue on contentious issues

Apply collaborative problem-solving tools to real-world challenges

Foster collaborative across teams, organizations, and sectors

What Participants Say

“I completed the Convergence Compass courses and hated for the program to end! It was absolutely fabulous. I learned new material but also re-learned skills I have that can be applied in a new and exciting context. I could always take a group to a specific point in a group process but getting them to meaningful, innovative solutions with broad consensus and buy in is HARD. The program gave me new insights, tools, and resources to get to the next level."

“I have a new operating system thanks to this course. I'll be a better elected official, group member or leader, and a better human being.”

“I happened to have a giant conflict come forward during our cohort and utilized the tools as I was learning them.”

“It’s now my default operating system: looking for dialogue and not debating, elevating and reframing into a values conversation that lends itself to effective collaboration.”

“Even before the session, I had always considered conflict as an opportunity. The cohort experience did focus me on process much more than I had been prior to the course. There was a real emphasis on how collaborative problem-solving is done, and why it produces better and longer lasting solutions. I was able to see pretty clearly why past efforts at community problem solving had actually failed. In those cases, even though a solution was implemented it did not solve the underlying “position variances” inherent in the conflict. We never got to understand the whys behind the positions of various interest groups. We produced a solution, but did not solve the underlying dispute. The course got me to see that.”

“In these tumultuous and polarizing times, Convergence Compass reminded me of the benefits and possibilities of collaboration, even with people I strongly disagree with. It encouraged me to reflect on how quickly I tend to judge or dismiss opposing views, especially when they feel fundamentally misaligned with my own values. I realized that, while these instincts are understandable, they’re not productive when trying to solve complex societal problems.”

How you can learn

Convergence Compass

A flexible online learning experience combining self-paced courses with opportunities to practice, reflect, and apply new skills. Available for individuals or facilitated cohorts.

Best for: Individuals, leadership cohorts, organizations seeking scalable learning

Training and Consulting

Hands-on support to help organizations navigate complex challenges using collaborative problem-solving.

Services include:

Meeting and agenda design

Stakeholder interviews

Facilitation

Executive coaching

Collaborative strategy development

Capacity building

Best for: Organizations facing contentious issues or seeking long-term culture change.

Workshops

Interactive sessions ranging from 90 minutes to multi-day experiences tailored to your organization’s goals.

Best for: Leadership programs, conferences, retreats, and team development

WHO WE SERVE

Designed for leaders across sectors

From local governments and nonprofits to businesses, foundations, and higher education, the Learning Lab helps leaders apply collaborative problem-solving in the contexts where they work, lead, and serve.

GOVERNMENT

Equip public leaders with tools to navigate complex policy and community challenges.

BUSINESS

Strengthen collaboration across teams, partners, and stakeholder relationships.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Build constructive dialogue and collaborative leadership across campus.

FOUNDATIONS

Strengthen partnerships, collaborations, and address complex social challenges.

COMMUNITY LEADERS

Bring diverse stakeholders together to create lasting solutions.

OUR CLIENTS

Leaders from government, philanthropy, higher education, nonprofits, and business trust Convergence to strengthen collaborative leadership. Our clients include:

Builders · The Martha O’Bryan Center · National Association of Counties · National Governors Association · New York University · U.S. Energy Foundation

WHY CONVERGENCE?

Nearly 20 years of real-world practice. Our methodology has been tested through collaborative initiatives addressing some of the country’s most difficult public challenges.

Evidence-based. Our approach draws on conflict resolution, neuroscience, psychology, contact theory, and collaborative governance.

Built for practice. Participants don’t just learn concepts—they develop practical tools they can immediately apply in their work.

Trusted across sectors. Government agencies, nonprofits, foundations, businesses, and universities have partnered with Convergence to strengthen collaborative leadership.

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE

Ready to strengthen collaborative leadership? Whether you’re looking to develop individual leaders, train an entire team, or build your organization’s capacity to navigate complex challenges, we’re here to help.

Contact Hannah Ollenburger
Senior Manager of Executive Operations, by filling out our contact form.

LOOKING FOR MORE?

Explore the Convergence Resources page full of curated content you can use to guide your journey.