Katharine Hargreaves
Katharine Hargreaves
Culture Alchemist, CEO of ARKO WORLD
Oakland, CA
www.youarethemagic.us
www.arko.world
Medium
Instagram @newerapony
LinkedIn @magickat
What do you do?
“I am a Culture Alchemist that designs transformational games and consciousness technologies for companies and communities. ”
I teach people the most disruptive and necessary tools of the next century: how to become an evolutionary organization (or adaptive innovator) who embraces change with an infinite mindset.
Give us an example of how you do your job like a BOSS.
I strive to deliver work from my edge. This is a vulnerable place for any leader to exist, as it is a place of growth and experimentation. An infinite mindset is something I deeply value, for it expands the world and makes quantum leaps more possible for all of us. Modeling this value in my work is important, because it gives everyone permission to be brave with their vision and bold with their truth.
For other people in your field, what do they usually lack?
A sense of adventure. My current job is one that didn't exist 20 years ago. I've had to forge my own path in many spaces and this has led me to define my own opportunities and create my own wave.
I've always been an explorer. The edge of our comfort zone is where things start to get interesting. When we step off the usual path and play with our perspective, new forms and ways of doing things emerge - but first you must be willing to leave your familiar world behind.
If you have multiple jobs and/or skills, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I'm a trained fine artist, and I rarely make art. I'm craving more tangible experiences with textural materials. I'm using the quarantine to start sculpting alabaster, among other creative experiments.
What are you working on right now?
My culture lab ARKO is expanding and we just launched two new offerings: a change resilience training for enterprise teams called FLEX and a product called AWAKYN. Both of these offerings are the result of 2 years of vigorous prototyping and AWAKYN is my first foray into physical product development. It feels good to step into a new level of my work.
I'm always remixing some idea or another to keep my game fresh. Right now that looks like a mastermind group dedicated to alchemy experiments and collective manifestation.
What is frustrating you right now?
I'm scaling my business in a time of massive transition caused by a global pandemic, so there's some intriguing challenges and opportunities ahead.
The good news is that my work serves organizations who are invested in becoming evolutionary, so I've spent my entire career preparing for a massive time of transition. The frustration I feel at this unprecedented turn of events - after all, growing a business is hard on a normal day let alone during a global pandemic - is balanced by my desire to meet the moment with full capacity and creativity, for we don't have time for anything less.
I believe we are in an exponential passage as a species. The future is asking us to have an infinite mindset, deep ingenuity, and to develop our agility as creative leaders. These are the skills I teach. I trust that the support I offer will be valued by those ready to quantum leap.
What are you putting off right now, but you know you have to get to, but you haven’t had the time?
I'm writing my first book and it's been taking me on a ride as it finds it's ultimate form. I stepped away to let it percolate and settle, and now the muse is knocking on my door.
If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Social media strategy. I would love to bring on a visionary creative to help me translate my message into more regular transmissions. I've been stretched thin dialing in my business, so this would be a huge gift to me. Hit me up if that's you!
What are all the tools (digital or physical) you use on a regular basis?
MacBook Pro and mouse, forever. My altar has expanded to take up a full wall in my home office as I'm finding that I do my best work when I'm deeply centered in my being.
If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about? Give us a name so that we can reach out to them! :)
I would love insight into the festival space and how to co-create successful pop-up experiences.
What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I'm seeking organizations that are interested in becoming evolutionary AND extraordinary and investing in the work necessary to get there.
I'm cruising for yacht people ;) who are interested in hosting Alchemy Feasts.
I'm always looking to connect with magical creatives and change makers, so don't hesitate to say hi if my vibe resonates with you!
Describe your ideal client/job/collaboration. Or describe a really positive past experience.
I absolutely love partnering with my clients to bring forward the most powerful experience we can envision for their needs and teams. Although I operate at times like a consultant within teams, ultimately I'm designing system-level pathways that require the participation and ongoing investment of all. I'm not handing people canned solutions - transformation doesn't work like that - I'm creating the conditions for people to discover and refine their authentic answer. All my best experiences emerge from this foundation.
What are your deal breakers? When do you say “no” or quit.
It's impossible to work with people who aren't willing to be wrong or change their minds.
I'm also not interested in working with people who already know the answer and are just looking for someone to implement it.
What is your hourly rate?
Most of my work isn't priced hourly. I do some consulting on the side occasionally, and that starts at 100/hr.
How should someone approach you about working with you?
Drop me a line with some info about who you are and what you're looking for. I love connecting with new people, so even if I can't help you I'm sure I know someone who can. Say hello at kat@arko.world
This member profile was originally published on July 2015, Updated April 2020.