Building Human Capacity. Together.
Naqsmist is the home of Cultivating Safe Spaces, a framework created by Elaine Alec to help people build the capacity to think clearly, stay connected, take responsibility and work through complexity together.
Because better systems still depend on people.
Three Journeys. One Purpose.
Every person's journey is different.
Some people want to strengthen themselves. Others feel called to facilitate. Many organizations are looking for a partner to help build the human capacity needed to navigate increasingly complex challenges.
No matter where you begin, each journey contributes to the same purpose: strengthening human capacity.
Individual Journey
I WANT TO LEARN
Build your understanding of Cultivating Safe Spaces, strengthen your own practice and learn how to apply the framework in your life and work.
Facilitator Journey
I WANT TO FACILITATE
Become a Certified CSS Facilitator and continue developing your practice across increasing levels of complexity.
Partner Journey
WE WANT TO SOLVE SOMETHING TOGETHER
Work with Elaine, Naqsmist or Certified CSS Facilitators on leadership, organizational, community and systems-level challenges.
Eight Scales. One Framework
Self → Relationship → Team → Leadership → Organization → Community → Systems → Society
The practice changes as the scale changes.
At one scale, the work may be about self-awareness, regulation or relationships.
At another, it may be about leadership, governance, organizational conditions, community decision-making, institutional change or systems strategy.
Start with the scale of the challenge, not the size of the audience.
What is Cultivating Safe Spaces?
Cultivating Safe Spaces is not about avoiding conflict or making everyone comfortable.
It is about strengthening the conditions people need to do difficult work together.
CSS helps people develop the capacity to:
stay present under pressure
understand different perspectives
ask better questions
work through conflict and difference
clarify responsibility and accountability
make decisions together
remain connected through complexity
The framework can be used personally, relationally, within teams, across organizations, in communities and at the systems level.
For People Doing the Real Work
Naqsmist works with individuals, facilitators, communities, Nations, organizations, Boards, leadership teams, institutions and cross-sector partners.
The work may involve:
Leadership
How do we lead well under pressure?
Organization
What behaviours are our systems and structures producing?
Community
How do we stay connected through complexity?
Systems
How do multiple organizations, governments and Nations work together?
Society
How do we adapt together as complexity increases?
Those questions sit at the heart of the Eight Scales.
Work With A CSS Facilitator
Our Certified Cultivating Safe Spaces Facilitators work across Canada and the United States in communities, organizations, schools, businesses, governments, and Indigenous Nations. Each facilitator has completed certification and is committed to carrying this work with care, integrity, and a shared commitment to strengthening human capacity wherever they serve.
Indigenous Nations & Communities
Leadership & Executive Development
Organizational Development
Human Resources
Health & Human Services
Education
Government & Public Service
Business & Industry
Coaches & Consultants
Community Development
Law & Negotiation
Men’s Health & Well-Being