The Artist Leadership Network for Women (AKA "ALN" ) is comprised of active groups of creative women in different areas of the United States of America which are meet on a regular basis - generally every two weeks, or twice a month.

Our primary mode of supporting each other is a developed method of giving one another positive attention which we call active listening. Active listening consists of paying close attention to what the person whose turn it is to speak is saying, without interrupting her with our own ideas, experiences, advice, approval and/or disapproval, etc. This mean not analyzing what she is saying, nor judging, criticizing or "rescuing" her (even silently). No cross-talk, not even an apparently supportive comment such as "I know what you mean," is allowed when it is another woman's turn to speak.

This process was developed because we believe that when we are truly listened to, when we are able to think out loud without the fear of being interrupted or judged, we eventually get to the place where each of us can do her own best thinking - and then act on it! Not believing in our own thinking is one of the biggest ways we've been hurt and oppressed as women and as artists; it often creates a lack of confidence in ourselves which may keep us from actively leading in many areas of our lives, including that deep part which is the wellspring of our creativity. Being truly listened to and heard by other women artists is an enormous contradiction to this oppression, and a great first step on the way to becoming a leader in our own lives and our art. (Which is why we are called The Artist Leadership Network.)

Last but not least, confidentiality is of paramount importance in our groups. Anything said during a person's time in our sessions (or during individual time-trades outside of meetings) is always completely confidential. This helps us all to have the courage to express our biggest dreams and most creative visions. If a member of the group wishes to refer to or talk about something another person has said during "her time" she must ask permission first, and then accept it if the other woman declines to talk about it. This is because each of us really needs to work out her own answers, and sometimes hearing someone else's ideas or suggestions can get in the way of this process.