Positive Thinking Workshop, Project management seminar 2010

I have hade many problems in my life - few of them came true Mark Twain

Agenda Presentation and setting of OUR context The world - as we see it - is a construction –Social constructionism Appreciative Inquriry –Basic principle Organizations are small cultures made by relations and interactions Why is language important How do I ask questions and how can I be courius?

Context for our workshop We have 2 hours together I will provide you with some models to change your organizations It’s and experiment and I want you too play with me I’m a provider and facilitator – I cannot change you, but I can disturb and ask questions

One volunteer

The philosopy behind Social constructionism – what is that? What we see as individuals is not different – but the meaning of it (as an interpretation) is very different We always speaks from a cultural tradition when we defines what is real or true In cultural terms it is not of great importance to speak about objective truth – it is more valuable to speak about the experienced reality If we believe in only constructed truths between human beings, one will almost automatically open for owns curiosity towards the world

Appreciate Inquiry (AI) David Cooprider It’s all about focusing on what’s is working well 90 / 10 principle Solving problems / seeking possiblities Dreaming about what its’ really important How can we do this more?

The basic principles The principle of Simultaneity: You cannot not change – all you do / all dealings with people affects them He poetic principle: organizations are as open books – there are constantly being new written The positive Principle: We will have the future for our organizations and projects that we ask for. We can choose our selves. Use positive imagination and positive language about the future The Pygmalion of Placebo: positive pictures of a coming future creates a positive future

Model for organizing Identification of the problem Analysis of courses Analyses of possible solutions Action planning Valueing the best of what is What might be What should be What will be Organizing is a problem to be solved Organizing is a mystery to embrace

Try this in your own organisations Two and two

Why is it interesting for us? Premises We are all passionated people who care for our organizations We are involved deeply involved in our organization as human beings. This means that; We can change our organizations and create a positive future for them

The essentials on organizations and projects within and between organizations Organizations is a composition of relation between the people involved:  Relations are primarily nursed in conversations (and other interactions)  Conversions and the language used gives us the desired future  If we use a language based on social constructionist approach combined with the ideas of appreciation and positive thinking, we will create another social construction – a positive one

Questions two and two The interviewer’s mission is to tell the “the dream” of a frustration in the organization

The importance of language Stories

Open discussion