Changing Conversations In Organizations

Focusing on the essential uncertainty of participating in evolving events as they happen, this book considers the creative possibilities of such participation from a complexity perspective.

Drawing on the theoretical foundations laid out in earlier volumes of this series, this book describes an approach to organizational change and development that is informed by a complexity perspective. It clarifies the experience of being in the midst of change. Unlike many books that presume clarity of foresight or hindsight, the author focuses on the essential uncertainty of participating in evolving events as they happen and considers the creative possibilities of such participation. Most methodologies for organizational change are firmly rooted in systems thinking, as are many approaches to process consultation and facilitation. This book questions the suggestion that we can choose and design new futures for our organizations in the way we often hope. Avoiding the widely favoured use of two by two matrices, idealized schemas and simplified typologies that characterize much of the management literature on change, this book encourages the reader to live in the immediate paradoxes and complexities of organizational life, where we must act with intention into the unknowable. The author uses detailed reflective narrative to evoke and elaborate on the experience of participating in the conversational processes of human organizing. It asserts that possibilities are perpetually sustained and changed by the conversational life of organizations. This book will be valuable to consultants, managers and leaders, indeed all those who are dissatisfied with idealized models of change and are searching for ways to develop an effective change practice.

Organizations are about conversations. For any organization to achieve its goals, people need to interact and those interactions require dialogue and conversation. Yet, thanks to technology, we seem to be having fewer genuine conversations. This book seeks to change this, through "how to skills" and wider cultural change advice.

How do people identify with organizations? What role does organizational identity play in organizational strategy? Identity in Organizations investigates the fundamental character of organizational identity and individual identification with an organization. Through the use of an unconventional, conversational format the reader is drawn into a provocative discussion among key organizational scholars that focuses on three different paradigmatic views of identity: a functionalist perspective, an interpretive perspective, and a postmodern perspective. Similarities and distinctions among these ways of understanding are explored and numerous theoretical and practical insights are gained. This groundbreaking book concludes with a discussion of the relevance of identity as a construct in organizational study and observations on conversation and theory building. Many well-known scholars participate in the conversation, including Jay Barney, Denny Gioia, Mary Jo Hatch, Stuart Albert, Anne Huff, Judi McLean Parks, and Rod Kramer. Identity in Organizations will be of interest to professionals and students of organizational studies, human resource management, industrial psychology, sociology of work, psychology, and organizational communication.

Building engagement is crucial for every organization. But the traditional top-down coercive change management paradigm—in which leaders “light a fire” under employees—actually discourages engagement. Richard Axelrod offers a better way. After debunking six common change management myths, he offers a proven, practical strategy for getting everyone—not just select committees or working groups—enthusiastically committed to organizational transformation. This revised edition features new interviews—everyone from the vice president of global citizenship at Cirque du Soleil to a Best Buy clerk—and new neuroscience findings that support Axelrod's model. It also shows how you can foster engagement through everyday conversations, staff meetings, and work design.

Organization Development at Work—a title in The Practicing OD Series—is a collection of conversations among leaders, practitioners, and educators in the organization development (OD) field. Throughout the book experienced professionals share their best thinking about principles, practices, values, and the future of OD. In this valuable resource, nearly 100 contributors share their operating principles, successful models, tools, application tips, and important insights from their years of practice. Written for organization development practitioners, consultants, and anyone who is considering a career in OD, Organization Development at Work will highlight the points of view that define the "values controversy" so you will be better able to clarify your own position on values-based work. As you read contributors stories, you will be able to compare your career path with others in the field. In addition, this book offers perspective on the debate about global work, with advice for practitioners seeking to do work on foreign soil. You will feel as if you are in a conversation with friends, mentors, and colleagues who are freely sharing their experiences, questions, and concerns.

In today's increasingly globalized world, it is essential that people of diverse ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds learn to work together and communicate effectively. This book offers a breakthrough approach to recognizing that differences among people are resources for organizations to tap as they strive to anticipate change and adapt rapidly in an unpredictable world. "Catalytic Conversations" provides a conceptual framework for understanding how complex communication patterns of social networks influence, and are influenced by, organizational structures. It discusses how to enhance the quality and viability of groups and organizational life by paying attention to how people talk - and do not talk - to each other. The book distinguishes between conversations that support organizational enhancement and others that inhibit innovation, and explores the complexity of organizational communication in detail.

A practical guide to implementing workplace change. Managing change in a workplace can be a difficult process. Your focus should be on the opportunity it presents, not the problem that's been created. Conversations of Change is a practical guide that navigates experienced and inexperienced managers alike through the process of identifying, creating and measuring real and effective change. The book covers how to make sense of organizational change, how to set up your change initiative for success and what you need to know implement change well. Structured in three easy to read parts. Part 1: Shaping up - the decisions you need to make -Clarity on 4 universal points of confusion in change -Who's who in the zoo! Easy to understand explanations of 10 necessary roles in change -Change success - a three legged stool, pull one element away and it falls over -6 most commonly used change models explained Part 2 Moving forward - the 5 pillars of change success -6 elements of change capable organisation -Change readiness and how to assess if you are ready for change -Dealing with change resistance - three key considerations -From the trenches - 5 pitfalls of change communication to avoid -12 truisms of change leadership Part 3 Check the peripherals - things that you should be aware of -5 Future of Work practices and how they can be used in your change efforts -6 myths of change management that can get in the way -The ultimate information on how to develop your knowledge in change management - including associations, formal knowledge, communities of practice, self study with 11 change experts to follow on twitter and 17 change management blogs to bookmark Bonus chapter! A full summary of all four adventures