PROGRAM INFORMATION

The program will open with a hands-on practice in Social Action Research and then continue with sharing stories of work systems in a variety of settings, and understanding the principles and applying practices that enable exemplary performance while building healthy organizations. Specific Social Action Research, Vision Deployment Matrix (VDM) and
Accomplishment Model methodologies will be taught and practiced using examples from participants’ actual workplaces.

Through group reflection and shared dialogue participants will be invited to explore the following:

1) The reflective method of performance improvement: social action research.

2) Social systems mapping; how it’s been applied most effectively

3) How to study and conserve extraordinary performance through social collaboration.

4) How social cohesion and group productivity is supported (or diminished) in organizations: new principles of social capital

5) How to improve the congruence between informal social networks and management systems.

6) What the living system, cognitive and social scientists have to say about understanding what we are experiencing in our organizations and communities.

In addition, those participants choosing to complete certification in the Social Action Research method should be prepared to apply these practices and tools upon returning to their organizations, followed by a final review with the instructors.

What Participants Say...

The event was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to be involved in. Anne, Nick, and Dennis provided an incredible experience that has been a personal, intellectual, and academic benefit, not to mention it provided me an opportunity to see the dessert and its beauty for the only time in my life.

The social action research retreat with Dennis, Anne and Nick was very inspiring to me as a doctoral student who cares about well-being in organizations. It offered me a unique perspective and methodology to think about organizational development.

By reflecting on how well-being is already generated in a organization and surfacing such knowledge into our consciousness, we are able to conserve and expand well-being in the process - a crucial insight to organizational scholars, managers and consultants who care about expanding well-being and performance in organizations.

I come away with renewed belief that we can find old stories and create new stories that will create opportunities to conserve compassion, caring, and love. We can choose to act for wellbeing and contributions that support purpose and achievement to enrich life and living.

Overall, I loved being part of this open gathering of inquisitive minds and positive people.