THE RIVER,

ESTUARY

& SEA

The River, Estuary & Sea offers a dynamic framework for understanding how individuals and teams create safety, build belonging, and make space for independent thought.

But the framework extends beyond the workplace. Whether you are growing a team or growing a family, many of the same questions remain: How do we create safety without creating dependence? How do we build belonging without demanding conformity? And how do we eventually create enough space for people to think, choose, and explore for themselves?

Opening Parable

The Why

Questions for a Group

  1. What concept from the story resonated most with your group, and why?

  2. How would you describe the true “why" of your company? (Not the mission statement, but the reason behind the decisions your organization makes.

  3. What happens when an organization’s stated “why” does not match the “why” reflected in its decisions and actions?

  4. If money were no longer a concern, what would you choose to do with your time—and what might that reveal about your “why”?

Answers to Puzzles & Activities

Three Questions

  1. Which region comes most naturally to you—and what has that region given you?

  2. Which region gives you the most difficulty—and why?

  3. Aggression, Affection, or Awareness: If you were trying to advance within your company, which attribute would be most beneficial to that pursuit? Why?