The question of how to build on this foundation has long been simmering for the two co-founders of CRR Global. In true systems-inspired fashion, the answer has emerged as a shift in the leadership team. Michael Holton steps into the role of Chief Operating Officer (CEO), as Marita continues to expand the thought leadership that she and Faith initiated.
“He’s got all the bells and whistles, but I think we picked Mike because of his heart,” says Faith.
“Mike loves relationship. He loves systems, and he’s curious about everything. There’s a mutual respect and appreciation, and a sense of trust in how we hold this work.”
The origins of relationship systems work
For those who don’t know how CRR Global came to be, its origins date back to 2000 and the meeting of Marita and Faith. The two were struck by a simple yet revolutionary idea – that leadership lives in the whole system rather than in just one person. Strong relationship is the key that is needed to unlock this potential.
With their combined history as therapists, consultants and coaches, Faith and Marita applied a coaching framework to empower whole systems to lead. They speak of the evolution of their Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC™) model as something much bigger than just the two of them.
“Systemic thinking is universal, and so much had already been written about it. Part of what Faith and I did was to operationalize systemic theory,” says Marita. “The metaphor that we use is that we were taken by the scruff of our necks and pulled along by a force beyond our planning. We were shapers who gave words to theories already in books and publications.
Marita and Faith launched ORSC under the banner of the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI) in 2002, before eventually establishing their own company to produce the training. Their model became the first systems coaching program to be accredited by the International Coaching Federation.
“It’s been like riding a rocket ever since,” says Faith. “It carried us along and swept us away. Now, it feels like we’re entering a different kind of arc.”
The next phase of of evolution
Michael, who has a background in transforming organizations, first came to CRR Global’s relationship systems work as an organizational coach. He explained why he brought a group of 25 others to experience the ORSC training with him.
“We were really good at process and we understood business practices, but we didn’t know how to support the behavioural change that was needed for true transformation,” Michael says.
“Leaders often try to control the process. We say – ‘This is where we’re going to go, and this is what it will look like.’ But systems work is more like surfing. The real work is about what is emerging, and harnessing the energy of that emergence. That’s the real work of leaders. When you begin to work with what’s emerging with the people, process becomes a lot more powerful.”
Over the past two decades, CRR Global has become a worldwide presence. Thousands of skilled coaches and leaders around the globe now wield the ORSC skillset, taking team coaching competencies into personal, corporate, government, and non-profit contexts.
In the last 10 years, Marita has been evolving those ideas into a broader concept of systems inspired coaching and leadership.
Between them Faith and Marita have written three books, two of those in collaboration with Dr. Anne Rød and Frank Uit de Weerd. This library of resources is now engaging a new generation of relationship systems workers.
While the dream is to continue growing the practice of systems inspired coaching and leadership in the world, there is also a desire to honor and appreciate the incredible network of relationship that has brought the company to where it is now.
Switching roles
Michael has held the role of Chief Operating Officer for the past few years, and used that time to learn about CRR Global’s own system. He understands the relationships, the nested systems and Third Entities of the organization.
“I grew my capacity to hold space for that, and to reveal what this system is signalling,” he says.
As Michael takes on the responsibilities of CEO, Marita steps into the role of Chief Product Innovation and Faculty Oversight while GraceAnn Anderson becomes Chief Operating Officer.
“When I first came on board, the idea was to intentionally expand this company that has had such beautiful organic growth for many years,” says Michael. “Now, I’m thinking about how we can work on the business in a way that amplifies Marita and Faith’s legacy.”
“The essence of this company will stay the same. All three of us find value in relationship and the inquiry around what is right relationship, and have made it our life’s work to bring that to people.”
Why systems coaching is important
In contemplating the evolution of CRR Global, they envision a time when supporting networks of relationship is no longer just the domain of coaches, but a common practice across the world.
“We teach math and science, but not relationship skills. How different might the world be if we all began talking about how to be in right relationship?” says Michael. “I’d love to have right relationship become a conversation that families have as they break bread, talking about what it means to be in right relationship with each other.”
“CRR Global is not going to be the only point of light in moving that evolution forward, but I think it’s an important one,” Faith adds.
The three speak of their respect for one another and a mutual vision to advance right relationship in the larger world.
“This is not something we are doing alone. We are grateful for everyone who is on this journey with us,” Michael says. “We are three voices in a system of many who have hands on our backs and are clearing the way. It’s so many people’s life work around the difference they want to make.”
“It’s a journey that belongs to all of us,” Marita says.
For over 20 years, CRR Global has helped every type of relationship thrive by taking a systems-inspired approach. Whether you’re working with partners, families, team members or even global organizations, this skillset adjusts to support relationship in any context. For more information about the CRR Global system, please feel free to explore our story and learn about our team.
Guests
Faith Fuller ORSCC, CPCC, ICF-PCC
Faith co-founded CRR Global and co-created Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC™). She is a psychologist and experienced trainer and coach, with decades of experience in working with organizations, couples and communities. Faith is also the author of Relationship Matters: A New Paradigm for an Evolutionary Leap in Relationship.
