Spotlight Series | Jitske Kramer

In this episode, Belamie Peddle speaks with Jitske Kramer, anthropologist, author and founder of Human Dimensions, about culture, power, decision-making and what happens when we learn to work differently with opposing views. Jitske reflects on discovering Lewis Deep Democracy more than 15 years ago and how it became woven into her work as an anthropologist. For her, understanding culture means paying attention to how people interact, how decisions are made, whose voices are heard and how power and rank influence what happens in a group. One of the central ideas in the conversation is deceptively simple: when different views enter the room, we can experience them as creativity or conflict, depending on how we deal with them. Jitske explores why organisations often find it easier to talk about improving decision-making than addressing conflict directly, even though unresolved tension is frequently sitting underneath decisions that are not working. She also shares how Human Dimensions combines Lewis Deep Democracy with insights from anthropology, Voice Dialogue and other approaches without losing the integrity of the methodology. The conversation moves beyond organisations into wider questions of participation, democracy, culture and social responsibility. Following a recent visit to Ukraine, Jitske reflects on resilience, identity and the importance of culture and “soft power”. Her experience leaves her with a strong invitation: if we have the skills to speak up, hold tension, support others or challenge power, this is a time to use them. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Interaction and decision-making are central to how people create culture. • Different views can become creativity or conflict depending on how we work with them. • Decisions often become difficult when conflict, power or rank have not been adequately addressed. • Language matters. The words we use around conflict, power and influence can affect people’s willingness to engage. • Lewis Deep Democracy can sit alongside other disciplines without every approach needing to become the same. • Anthropology offers another lens for noticing roles, perspectives, power dynamics and patterns within groups. • Culture and identity can play an important role in resilience and connection. • Having the skills to work with difference also brings a responsibility to participate rather than remain on the sidelines. 🎧 Notable Moments “You can call it creativity or conflict depending on how you deal with it.” “Independently together.” “We should care about the world.” “Get your hands dirty.” ⏱ Chapters 00:24 Jitske Kramer: anthropology, culture and Lewis Deep Democracy 02:05 Human Dimensions and improving interaction and decision-making 03:13 What decision-making has to do with conflict and power 06:31 Bringing LDD into organisational life 10:18 Anthropology, Voice Dialogue and complementary approaches 14:56 Participation, citizens and democratic processes 17:14 Culture, fieldwork and looking beyond the training room 22:44 Conflict, history and what sits beneath the surface 23:56 Resilience, trauma, culture and different forms of support 28:45 Soft power and what makes us human 29:45 Get involved, speak up and hold the tension 🔎 Topics & Keywords Lewis Deep Democracy, Jitske Kramer, Belamie Peddle, anthropology, Human Dimensions, culture, organisational culture, decision-making, conflict, power, rank, leadership, interaction, minority voices, facilitation, Voice Dialogue, participatory democracy, group dynamics, resistance, social change, resilience, soft power, Ukraine, dialogue, working with difference Lewis Deep Democracy is a practical methodology for working with difference, resistance, tension and conflict. It helps people and groups surface what is unsaid, include voices and information that may not yet have been heard and move conversations forward. Find out more about Lewis Deep Democracy: https://www.lewisdeepdemocracy.com/