Relationship Matters

In this episode, Marita Fridjhon deep-dives into the first of the 5 principles of Relationship Systems Intelligence (or RSI): The Third Entity.

RSI involves the ability to move from seeing a group of individuals to seeing the system itself, as a living breathing entity and this is what we call Third Entity.

Relationship Systems Work holds that there is more present in a relationship than the individual team members. Along with the people involved, there is also the relationship or system itself. It is useful to consider the relationship as a separate “third entity” which has its own needs and voice. In Relationship Systems Work this Third Entity is the ultimate focus.

In this podcast, Katie talks with CRR faculty member Mish Middelmann about the Relationship Sytems Intelligence at Work Program (RSI@Work). At the centre of the RSI@work program is Building Relationship Systems Intelligence in teams and organisations. Across this conversation, Mish and Katie cover a range of topics including:

• Who the RSI@Work program is for, its impact and the power of integrating the ORSC language within organizations
• The how and why of leading from the “we” for the good of the whole system
• What it really takes to get team and employee engagement – collaboration and co-responsibility from the get-go
• Addressing conflict skilfully and constructively as a source of innovation and growth
• What it takes for all members to really express themselves and really be heard

If you feel the RSI@Work might benefit your coaching practice and the organisations you work with- then do check out www.crrglobal.com/about/rsiwork to find out how you can become an RSI Licensed Facilitator, or how you can bring an RSI licensee to your workplace.
Mish Middelmann is a serial social entrepreneur and transformational systems coach who holds the worldwide RSI@Work program on behalf of CRR Global. He has been a member of the CRR Global faculty since 2015, leading the full range of ORSC courses worldwide as well as supervising on the ORSC Certification program. He was the southern Africa partner for CRR Global from 2012 to 2020. Prior to that, he was the co-founder and first CEO of a hi-tech start-up serving the social development sector in the early 1990s in Johannesburg, South Africa – a business which still thrives independent of Mish. He sees the extraordinarily diverse, purpose-driven company he helped to found almost like a third child, along with his two flesh-and-blood sons.

For over 20 years, CRR Global has accompanied leaders, teams, and practitioners on their journey to build stronger relationships by focusing on the relationship itself, not only the individuals occupying it. This leads to a community of changemakers around the world. Supported by a global network of Faculty and Partners, we connect, inspire, and equip change agents to shift systems, one relationship at a time
We believe Relationship Matters, from humanity to nature, to the larger whole.

In this episode, Katie talks to CRR Global faculty member Kiki Kesseler about bringing Metaskills to life. Across this conversation, they discuss:

• The concept of Metaskills and why they are useful for coaches
• Embracing metaskills so they aren’t simply understood but embodied
• The gap between intention and impact
• The influence of Metaksills, professionally and personally
• Ways we can practice being more conscious and intentional communication

Kiki Kessler is a CRR Global faculty member for both courses and the certification program. Kiki believes that the value of working with teams, individuals and relationships lies in the balance between revealing to the clients what is trying to happen and educating them on how to self-manage similar issues in the future for a more positive and productive relationship. Kiki focuses on people development and brings 20+ years of experience in cultural diversity, coaching, training, and team management across various industries, with corporate roles in Sales & Marketing, Business Development and Training. She specializes in team development, conflict resolution, leadership skills and systemic coaching. She is known to create a trusted atmosphere of positive energy that encourages the client to align, communicate, learn, and implement changed behavior. With clear education and the use of practical tools, Kiki inspires a can-do spirit among leaders. Her strength lies in combining coaching and training skills to enable growth. Originally from The Netherlands, she speaks Dutch, English, and German. Her cross-cultural experience was established through living in Austria, the United States, Germany and the UAE over the past 18 years, working within culturally diverse environments, organizations and teams. After a four-month adventurous drive from Dubai back to the Netherlands, Kiki and her family are now based close to Utrecht, The Netherlands.
For over 20 years, CRR Global has accompanied leaders, teams, and practitioners on their journey to build stronger relationships by focusing on the relationship itself, not only the individuals occupying it. This leads to a community of changemakers around the world. Supported by a global network of Faculty and Partners, we connect, inspire, and equip change agents to shift systems, one relationship at a time
We believe Relationship Matters, from humanity to nature, to the larger whole.

Across these 3 episodes, Katie talks with Michelle Davis, faculty member and Director of Systemic Equity Initiatives at CRR Global, about supporting systemic equity. As humans, we have diversity – we think differently, hold different perspectives and ideas – that’s what makes us unique and different and should be celebrated. Once we start to create fear based upon those differences - we begin to dehumanize groups of people and lock them out of opportunities. This 3-part series builds along the lines of the 3-levels of intelligence (Emotional Intelligence EQ, Social Intelligence SI and Relationship System Intelligence RSI). In part 1, Katie and Michelle look at system 1, the me system and what's mine to do in relation to supporting systemic equity. Topics include:

• Why supporting systemic equity starts with the self: how can we see where we are blind?
• Slowing down and getting curious about our unconscious drivers
• The impact of fear
• Getting to know the true nature of who we are.
• Making the unconscious conscious so that we can be more at choice around our reactions

Michelle Davis is a faculty member and Director of Systemic Equity Initiatives at CRR Global. Michelle’s professional journey has included a season of providing therapy, as a licensed professional counselor, to the most vulnerable among us; a season of developing and delivering experiential learning events that challenge and disrupt the status quo when the status quo no longer serves; and currently, a season providing leadership coaching as a certified organization and relationship systems coach and leading diversity, equity and inclusion efforts as a professor and director. In her work at the University of Colorado and previous experience working with systemic racism in other university systems, Michelle was the principal developer of a coaching program focused on Race Intelligence (RQ(TM)). This program seeks to increase Race Intelligence by guiding others to increase their capacity to lean into discomfort with the intention of becoming aware of race and racism and its influence on oneself, others, and societal institutions; and use this increased intelligence or awareness consciously to dismantle intrapersonal mindsets, behaviors, and systemic representations of racism. Michelle earned her master’s degree in counselling at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and, as well as being an ORSC-certified coach, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a trained Co-Active Coach, and a Certified Dare to Lead Facilitator.
For over 20 years, CRR Global has accompanied leaders, teams, and practitioners on their journey to build stronger relationships by focusing on the relationship itself, not only the individuals occupying it. This leads to a community of changemakers around the world. Supported by a global network of Faculty and Partners, we connect, inspire, and equip change agents to shift systems, one relationship at a time
We believe Relationship Matters, from humanity to nature, to the larger whole.

In this reflective episode of Relationship Matters, host Katie Churchman and CRR Global co-founder Faith Fuller invite listeners to explore the body as a profound doorway to personal and relational transformation. Drawing from her own experiences, Faith shares how her evolving relationship with her changing body has become a channel for development and awe-inspiring insight.

Through moments of stillness and awareness, Faith reveals how embracing the body’s finite nature can be a gateway to wisdom and profound presence. She discusses the challenges of navigating physical changes and how they have offered her transformative lessons—inviting listeners to slow down, listen, and honor the body's wisdom.

What you’ll gain from this episode:

1. Learn how to cultivate a reciprocal relationship with your body.
2. Discover the transformative power of listening to your body’s signals.
3. Unlock the body’s potential as a source of wisdom and awe.
4. Explore how awareness of the body’s finite nature fosters gratitude and presence.
5. Gain insights on turning physical challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.

Faith Fuller is co-founder of CRR Global. She is a psychologist and experienced trainer and coach with over 20 years of experience in working with organizations, couples, and communities. Faith takes a systems approach to coaching, namely that all aspects of the system need to be addressed for effective change to occur. Her particular skill empowers powerful, productive, and joyous relationships in couples, partnerships, and teams. She also has a background in consultation, team building, conflict resolution, and community crisis intervention.
For over 20 years, CRR Global has accompanied leaders, teams, and practitioners on their journey to build stronger relationships by focusing on the relationship itself, not only the individuals occupying it. This leads to a community of changemakers around the world. Supported by a global network of Faculty and Partners, we connect, inspire, and equip change agents to shift systems, one relationship at a time
We believe Relationship Matters, from humanity to nature, to the larger whole.