It also works at the group or organizational level. About 25 years ago David Cooperrider and Ron Fry at Case Western University developed a technique called “Appreciative Inquiry”. The secret sauce of that method for change in organizations is starting with positive experiences of the group in a very explicit exercise. The positive experiences are not always related to the subject of the meeting. The shift this creates is to counter the natural “Amygdala Hijack” in our brain where we end up in a flight or fight response to a stimulus of change. The thinking part of the brain is slower so getting it activated gives a group the space to have those difficult discussions without the flight or fight responses getting in the way.
The French have this down to an art form in the way they negotiate. I can recall many a conversation, usually over red but not white wine for some reason, where we first socialized and solved all the world’s interesting dilemmas before getting down to business. If you know that you will be a little careful with the red wine!
profound thanks. It’s a gorgeous Fall day here; I’m beyond grateful if that’s possible? Just to be alive to be in it. To be able, even at my age ‘ancien’ supposedly, which I forget as I often forget the things that are wrong w me ie R knee, R shoulder, and a variety of other stuff. Who cares?!?
Not the trees, not the hummingbirds coming for their ambrosia at the feeders,
Oh this. This is so important and true. I am grateful that my eyes still see well enough to read such wise words.
Thank you.
It also works at the group or organizational level. About 25 years ago David Cooperrider and Ron Fry at Case Western University developed a technique called “Appreciative Inquiry”. The secret sauce of that method for change in organizations is starting with positive experiences of the group in a very explicit exercise. The positive experiences are not always related to the subject of the meeting. The shift this creates is to counter the natural “Amygdala Hijack” in our brain where we end up in a flight or fight response to a stimulus of change. The thinking part of the brain is slower so getting it activated gives a group the space to have those difficult discussions without the flight or fight responses getting in the way.
The French have this down to an art form in the way they negotiate. I can recall many a conversation, usually over red but not white wine for some reason, where we first socialized and solved all the world’s interesting dilemmas before getting down to business. If you know that you will be a little careful with the red wine!
Once again, Thom Hartman,
profound thanks. It’s a gorgeous Fall day here; I’m beyond grateful if that’s possible? Just to be alive to be in it. To be able, even at my age ‘ancien’ supposedly, which I forget as I often forget the things that are wrong w me ie R knee, R shoulder, and a variety of other stuff. Who cares?!?
Not the trees, not the hummingbirds coming for their ambrosia at the feeders,
or the elements of air water earth fire.