Positive Change

So in my ever changing mind of what the heck I want to do with my life...this whole consulting organizations has been very eye opening. I have undoubtedly enjoyed reading for class which hasn't always been the case ;), but the readings that we have been supplied with for class have been completely applicable to so many things in my daily life and workplace. The one that stood out the most was Dr. Bushe's Article on Appreciative Inquiry. Of course this is right up my alley because by nature I am a positive person.

As current leaders and leaders that are brought in to make changes we may always assume that there is something wrong going on. However what Bushe points out is that we must also investigate what is going great in the current state of the organization. Bushe also uses this type of organizational diagnosis to create a more open space for stakeholders in the organization to feel comfortable to disclosing information needed to paint a picture of what is happening. It is also good to gather this positive information because a leader can now figure out what is working and think of how to make those processes even better. This type of change can help reinforce employees and even move for a change to a new vision of success.

Asking questions can also become less daunting as it may be easier to ask people what they liked most or what their favorite story, etc. Using this technique can also up the gateway to also finding out problem spots by comparing good experiences to not so good experiences. The stories become important as these stories help establish what the culture is and what people within the organization find important to help them work in the best conditions and to be more productive while working towards an organizations goal.

A few quotes to leave you with that stood out the most were:
"What if, instead of seeing organizations as problems to be solved, we saw them as miracles to be appreciated?"

and

Appreciative inquiry, as a method of changing social systems, is an attempt to generate a collective image of a new and better future by exploring the best of what is and has been."