Here's my argument: we need to move from methods of measuring organisation culture that are staitc, towards methods that allow for dynamic assessment. This argument comes out of experiences where static approaches have failed to provide relevant information during the life-cycle of a change management project.

When embarking on an organisatinal intervention project, one can normally anticipate the inclusion of a "discovery" phase as the first of the project. This is where an "as-is" assessment/audit of the context in which the intervention needs to take place is captured. While this important step is often dealt with as a mere step in the process  read more »

Original post published on Cognitive Edge Guest Blog.

I sometimes wonder if business leaders know what they’re missing out on by not embracing narrative techniques within their businesses. I remember facilitating an Anecdote Circle that drove this point home for me (which also caught the business by surprise a little). It was the first time this business had engaged in a narrative process when dealing with a problem. The issue at hand was a particularly bad run of resignations that had gutted the business of talented individuals during the course of a 12 month period.

When asked how I would approach the problem, I suggested that a narrative enquiry, in the form of an Anecdote Circle, be used to elicit narratives on the problem.  read more »

I remember working for a medium-sized business a few years back and being mandated with the task to establish the HR Department and to put considerable effort into moving the organisational culture in a certain direction. With this shift there was, over time, a significant exodus of employees from the organisation. As I kept a pulse on the culture there was a meme that emerged in the consciousness of the employees who stayed behind that expressed itself as,

"I don't know what is up with this company? There are so many people leaving! I think there is something wrong with this place, but I'm not quite sure what it is?"

It was amazing at how this meme propagated itself in the organisation ...  read more »