Registration ends 07.4.2026 at 23:59 h

Course vision:
- -Encounter yourself and one another
- -Come closer to own ideas AND their realization [implementation competency]
- -Realize own learning objectives [self-efficacy, ownership, attitude]
- -Develop an entrepreneurial mindset and useful competencies

The course “Growing Together” allows students to deeply engage with oneself within a learning community to explore one´s own entrepreneurial potential. Inspired by Theory U and the often-cited quote of Bill O´Brien “The success of an intervention depends on the interior condition of the intervenor”, this course starts with the exploration of one´s own “interior condition” (intrapersonal competency) as a foundation for entrepreneurial action (interpersonal & implementation competency). The course gives space to the verbalization, exploration, development, and refinement of (own) ideas that want to be realized (after the retreat!).

The course takes place in the shape of an intensive 3-days-retreat, drawing on experiential learning theory and the concept of the flipped-classroom. This means that the course is highly dependent on students´ pre-retreat preparations and willingness to engage in offered learning opportunities. The course includes phases of individual work and plenary sessions, input, reflection, and experiences and takes place in- and outdoors.

On day 3 of the retreat students will present artefacts, elaborated along the semester, during the retreat, and outside of class (assignments on Friday and Saturday) [oral part of examination]. The written part of course examination happens throughout the semester along a provided template, providing space for individual reflection assignments documenting the student´s individual process towards their anticipated learning objectives and project goals, including a final project reflection.

Note that this course requires the willingness to intensively explore yourself. It builds upon the pre-retreat assignments and a meaningful experience can only be provided if you fully immerse yourself into course, content, and community for the entire course duration. I invite you to see this course as the unique opportunity to have a retreat for yourself and your ideas.

The course Growing Together is based upon several premises:

- -“The success of an intervention depends on the interior condition of the intervenor” (Bill O´Brien via Otto Scharmer, Theory U) // The roots create the fruits!
- -It not only takes a village to raise a child but a community to make the best out of an idea.
- -It doesn´t matter how far you go. It´s all about how deep you dive. (Peter Jenkins)

The course provides the opportunity to develep key competencies in sustainability (Brundiers et al. 2021), particularly
- Intrapersonal competency
- Interpersonal competency
- Futures-thinking competency
- Systems-thinking competency
- Values-thinking competency
- and ideally implementation competency
As well as professional skills (Brundiers and Wiek 2017

Backcasting, Photovoice, walking and creative methods will be introduced and applied.

Further information on teaching evaluation: https://www.leuphana.de/en/teaching/quality-management/feedback-instruments.html