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Archive for the category 'General'
Integral Theory in Action
September 26, 2008
We have been dabling with Integral theory for a few years now – and have slowly gained some understanding of the ideas and maybe more importantly also understood how much more there is to learn. But I think it would be fair to say that at this point the way we run our business and our trainings is definitely integrally informed – probably not 100% compliant but definitely informed.
The combination of theory and practice became very clear to me when I attended the 4 day Integral Theory in Action conference in California this summer – the first of its kind where more than a 100 presenters had submitted papers relating to Integral Theory.
Integrally informed approaches to transformational leadership development
One presentation: “Integrally informed approaches to transformational leadership development” by Alain Gauthier & Marylin Fowler was particularly interesting from my point of view.
The presenters Alain Gauthier and Marylin Fowler have over a period of 9 months researched more than 20 cutting edge management development programmes. They summarize their key findings as follows:
“The selected programs focus on developing integrally-informed approaches that put equal emphasis on the ‘interior’ dimensions of both individual and collective development (intention, worldview, purpose, vision, values and cultural norms) and on its ‘exterior’ or visible dimensions (behaviors, organizational structures and processes), and how shifts or interventions in these domains must be coherent for change to be both deep and sustainable. They also pay attention to developmental levels in these dimensions, and to the dynamic relationship between individual and collective transformation”
Characteristics of the programme
The research also identified a number of common characteristics of the leading edge programme. They were:
“1. Over a period of four months to two years, they alternate short intensive retreats and months of fieldwork, with periodic individual coaching and/or mentoring by people who know the program well.
2. Their cohorts range from 15 to 25 people, to allow both large group dialogue and individual coaching by faculty members.
3. An attentive selection of candidates ensures both good fit and good timing, with the help of ‘alumni’ who become nominators and/or mentors.
4. They emphasize action learning, offer multiple conceptual frameworks, approaches and practices as possible entry points, and combine inner work, peer learning, individual and team coaching, action-learning projects and community building.
5. There is a strong commitment to values and corresponding behavior patterns throughout the programme (Kofman, 2006).
6. Innovative learning processes include various forms of group and individual practices (Part II refers to a number of these practices as well as many others):
Self-reflection practices such as action inquiry, journaling, meditation, silent nature retreats
Analysis of films and other artwork
Artistic expression, body movements, improvisation
Circle rituals and other forms of deep dialogue
Peer shadowing
Learning journeys
Hands-on ‘prototyping’ and experimentation
7. Programme design and activities evolve over time, based on the evaluation of each retreat and of the overall programme by faculty and participants, as well as on participants’ initiatives within the programme.”
Similar to the way we conduct leadership development in GROW
These finding are of course very encouraging for us – because the seven key characteristics to a very large degree reflect the way we conduct the GROW Service Managment Action Learning programme that we run and that is accredited by the University of Chester. If you are interested in reading the full report of their findings you can download their paper here. You can read some more about how we integrate integral theory in GROW here.
September 24, 2008
I’m back from a quick spin to Zurich and the Foodservice Summit - trying to digest and extract those first impressions from what was a tightly packed programme. But three things stand out:
Purpose, People, Planet and Profit
There is a shift coming – for years Foodservice has to a very large extent been about concepts. Design and food combined in such a way that they are easily reproducible – the famous cookie cutter approach – roll out the units, the faster the better. But now there are clear signs that the 4 P’s of marketing: Product, Price, Place and Promotion are being challenged by a new type of awareness and approach to foodservice – the new 4 P’s are now: Purpose, People, Planet and Profit, and in that order. This was a clear theme in several presentations. Living examples at the FSS were Leon and Nandos
Back to Basics
Several speakers mentioned simplicity, authenticity and back to basic as a key aspect of what they do. Food is about trust – more so than ever and foodservice is the last link in a long chain from farm to fork. Foodservice will need to work hard to earn and maintain the trust of the consumer. But that means walking a fine line. I have previously noted that I am worried that it is somehow becoming acceptable to add all sorts of ugly chemicals to food in order to make it spectacular – as it’s done by the Techo Catalan high priests in Spain. But we all scream murder when we hear that the so called industrials have added MSG to the Asian take away soup. So from that point of view it was great to see that focus is on authenticity and back to basics.
We don’t go out to eat – we are out and need to eat.
This is another subtle shift that has happened over the past few years. A large part of Foodservice is now about supplying people on the move with what they need much more than catering to that special occasion when they go out.
The new railway stations are now the new high street locations. It started with Termini in Rome a few years back but now Berlin and St. Pancras also have new rail travel hubs that showcase all the latest innovations in Foodservice.
Once I get my notes sorted out I shall be back with more details