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Posts tagged ‘Personal Development’

Apr 4

When focusing on the positive doesn’t work

Appreciative Inquiry is an organizational change process that can be very successful. But I often get asked why the process doesn’t spend time identifying and trying to fix problems, “Doesn’t focusing on the positive give an unrealistic picture of an organization?” Or, “Only looking at what works is a very slanted view of our organization.”

I experience Appreciative Inquiry as being an adaptable process that creates opportunity to build relationships, allow all voices to be heard, and gives people permission to have fun and be proud of their accomplishments.

Yet operating out of an appreciative framework won’t make any more difference than reading most self-help books. Having a one to three-day event where everyone walks away feeling good doesn’t do any more for an organization than thinking positive thoughts for five minutes at the beginning of the workday. Reading positive blog posts is not all that valuable.

A question often used in Appreciative Inquiry process goes something like this, “If you had a magic wand, what three wishes would you grant your organization?” But, it should end with this, “What one step will you take today to make that wish a reality?”

In the end, using a positive appreciative frame for an organization is not magic. In order to have value, it requires positive action. Positive thinking does not deny difficulties like tsunamis and recessions. Given the challenge faced, positive thinking creates an environment that asks us to identify what is possible now, to identify the first step we will take to move forward. Then each one of us has to choose to take that step … and the step after that …

Without action, Appreciative Inquiry is just a nice event spent telling stories. Let’s stop sitting and start moving. What one action will you take today to move toward your desired future?

kaizen
Generative and Positive

Mar 18

2 Comments

Idea for reflection – 30

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.
  – Albert Einstein

Do what I say, not what I do
Idea for reflection – 29

Feb 24

2 Comments

Like: Glass-half-empty

“Kathleen, what happened to liking the glass-half-full?! Aren’t you and your team focused on using Appreciative Inquiry and other positive organization development approaches?”

Yes. We are. But – I’m going to challenge you to consider the power of the glass-half-empty. Often when we consider emptiness we often think of empty nest, empty wallet, loneliness, and even despair. The glass-half-empty has become the symbol of the pessimist, of “if only….”

So, where is the power of the glass-half-empty? An empty screen box awaits a new blog post or Facebook entry. An empty schedule presents the opportunity for doing whatever we choose. An empty office offers opportunities for a new business or organization to create itself in that space.  The power of a glass-half-emtpy is its emptiness. That emptiness can represent the power of possibilities, imagining what might be.

What are the possibilities you or your organization have overlooked by focusing only on the half of the glass that’s full?

Idea for reflection – 21

Feb 22

Lead the way

The writers over at the Southwest Airlines magazine delivered a great, one-page summary of Bob Sutton’s newest book, Good Boss, Bad Boss. Read their summary here: Lead the Way

Quick points for Good Boss behavior:
• Protect your people
• Throw out the bad apples
• Mind the spotlight
• Get out of the way
• Fight fair

Feb 11

2 Comments

What can I see in winter

What can I see in winter
that I cannot see in any other season?

What can I hear in winter
that I cannot see in any other season?

What can I feel in winter
that I cannot see in any other season?

Can I take the risk of living now
instead of living what’s next?

The colors of winter and a reflection tripod

Feb 1

4 Comments

Idea for reflection – 29

Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?
  – T. S. Eliot, from The Rock

Planning in not an event
Idea for reflection – 28

Jan 31

Silence visible

Winter sky
Dormant trees, grasses, plants
An approaching ice and snow storm
So deeply cold that I shiver in front of the fireplace

Pause for reflection
Time to think
Space to grow and create
Asking what is truly necessary

The feel of a snow day
Insulated from the world
Holding undiscovered, mysterious treasures
Quiet

“In winter silence is visible. Snow is silence become visible.”
  – Max Picard

Animals and other shapes in the sky
The space between words

Jan 24

4 Comments

Reality or not


I’ve had several discussions over the past few days about our maps of the world or in Senge’s term: mental models. We each have ways of living in the world that allow us to navigate successfully. Red lights mean “Stop.” A classroom should be arranged in rows of tables with chairs facing forward.

The world we live in is the one that we construct. Not everyone uses the same construction. You may construct travel plans by getting recommendations from friends. While someone else may search for online trip reviews to seek out the best travel options.

We each use our own models and maps to deconstruct and reconstruct our world all the time. At work and home we constantly adjust to changing relationships and environments. We eliminate what isn’t working and construct an “alternative” reality.

The challenge for each of us is not that we construct reality using mental maps and models. The challenge is to be aware of them. Here are some questions to jumpstart making your models visible:

  • What do I assume when I interact with people? Am I on guard or assuming they want the best for the situation?
  • What are the assumptions behind my business strategy for this year? Am I operating from a sense of abundant possibility or scarcity?
  • How can I be more aware of my assumptions about how things work?

In case you’re wondering about the “reality” of the photo – it was taken on the Interstate by a passenger in a moving car, holding the shutter open to capture the lights of oncoming traffic – zoom.

Sailing with Dragons
Turning off the autopilot

Jan 8

2 Comments

Idea for reflection – 28

All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.
  – Calvin Coolidge

Idea for Reflection – 27

Jan 6

Potential energy

Many of my friends have been asking me if I’ve made a New Year’s resolution. And, as a logical, linear thinker, I’ve been pondering how best to respond! The turning of the calendar seems like a logical time to think about where we’ve been and where we want to go as individuals and organizations. Not only is it a “new year,” it is half-way between the season where we have the least and most amount of daylight.

Evaluating and taking stock can imply either that all was well or that things had gotten wildly off track. As is often the case, the reality lies somewhere in-between. In recent posts, I’ve listed some questions for reflection. As I watched the sunset last night, I considered another idea. What if each thing we do not only delivers value in the present, but creates potential for the future? How would we embrace and leverage the potential energy? How would we use that energy to generate momentum needed for adapting to change and creating new ideas?

In the physical world, gravity acts to increase potential energy. To further the analogy, what are the relationships and market forces that can multiple our potential?

The other kind of potential energy in the physical world is elastic potential energy. The further something is stretched, the greater the potential energy. Again, how will we stretch this year to increase our potential?

We as individuals and organizations are standing at the top of the proverbial 2011 hill. How will you use and build potential?

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