Whole-Scale Change: Unleashing the Magic in Organizations

Rating:
Summary: Turning on the Magic: It's Possible
Review: Amazon book review

I'd like to recommend two titles that I recently acquired. They are the two Dannemiller Tyson Associate titles The first title is "Whole-Scale Change: Unleashing the Magic in Organizations." The second is Dannemiller Tyson Associates "Whole-Scale Change: Toolkit. Both are published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers in San Francisco.

The Unleashing the Magic is the title I think those interested in organizational change will find most useful. It combines a lot of practical techniques and suggestions with explanations about the underlying theory on which "whole-scale change is based. For me a practitioner who has used whole-scale change techniques for several years I've used the book to reinforce techniques I already use; it has also served as a source of ideas. The second volume is also helpful in that it provides a lot of tested designs. However, I suspect that the Toolkit will be most useful to those who are already versed in the whole-scale techniques. I think it would be very difficult for a person not familiar with whole-scale change techniques to apply the designs. I should note that the variety of designs clearly underscores the power and flexibility of whole-scale change.

These are definitely worthwhile purchases.

Rating:
Summary: Appreciative Inquiry & Participative Managenemt in practice
Review: How can you think positively, involve (litterally) everybody, and make sure that the process is well managed? This book shows the way! I met Kathleen Dannemiller at the first World Congres on Systemic Thinking (May 1-6 2001, Vienna), and I really apreciated the message she had for the public. Probing further, I discovered that the method has generated impressive results as well! One of the examples has been a Whole-Scae process with the people involved in making the Mustang IV a success. At the moment Dannemiller was called in (around 1991), Ford was thinking about dropping the Mustang. In stead of asking what the problems where, people from throughout the organization were asked to dream about the "new" Mustang and how to make this dream come true. that car was developped in about 2 year's time, costed 22% less to build than a Mustang III and had limited problems at introduction. Some people at Ford even quote this car's introduction as "scary", because everything went almost as planned. One would wonder why Murphy's law didn't apply. The answer is simple: all people felt involved and they felt had to make this car a success. If you ask me what's missing? Well, dannemillers knowledge op people skills is "unconcious": her techniques do not cover the emotiunal intelligence one needs to make all this work. But that's where a book such as "7 Steps to Emotional Intelligence" will give you the answers.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful!
Review: If ever there was a book that sounded like it was written by a bunch of consultants it's this one. And - surprise - a look at the cover reveals that the author is none other than Dannemiller Tyson Associates, with about 15 people connected with the firm credited as contributors. With origins like these, it's no wonder that the book is chock full of phrases like, "If you facilitate a paradigm shift among enough microcosms, the entire organization will share the experience." But don't let the lame language scare you off. If you want to learn change management strategies, sooner or later you're going to have to pick up consultant-ese. Once you do, you'll be intrigued by the concepts set down in this book about whole-scale change and the use of microcosms in bringing about organizational change. In fact, we [...] strongly recommend this book for its innovative ideas, in spite of its tortured prose.


Rating:
Summary: Allowing Organization Vision and Values to Emerge
Review: In order for the reader to fully appreciate my comments, I must begin by explaining that I know several of the authors of this book and my interview with Kathie Dannemiller is cited at the end. I love them and their work. Kathie is a dear friend and valued teacher.

Then I have to say that it took me a couple of chapters to warm up to this book that I desperately wanted to love from page one. I came to realize that the part of me that still seeks comfort in prescriptive approaches was looking for directions, answers and destinations in a time when values and journeys are the new call. By the middle of Chapter 3, I was gaining respect for the experience and wisdom its authors were sharing. By the end of the book, I was able to appreciate the gifts this group of groundbreaking consultants had made available to me. While it sometimes seems that "Large Scale" change initiatives have been with us for some time in organizations, their use is in its infancy compared to hundreds of years of small scale, Newtonian, cause-and-effect planning. This book lays out fundamental concepts that can help each of us allow the emergence of change that is more organic, natural and, yes, far less predictable.

If you are weary of trying to "manage" change, and are interested in finding ways to enroll the hearts and souls of everyone in your organization, this book is a must read. I must also commend Berrett-Koehler because their catalogue represents a virtual reference library of books on large-scale change.

Rating:
Summary: This process really works -- the book shows you how!
Review: Relevant to my review is the fact that I was fortunate enough to intern with Kathie Dannemiller 20 years ago, when she was developing and applying her processes to improving student services at the University of Michigan. With this perspective, I can really appreciate the value of Whole-Scale Change, and attest to the reader about its value, as I have personally experienced it.

The book is full of the authors' collective wisdom, and rich material that walk the reader through their model for changing the whole organization. Their concept of "One Mind, One Heart" is a great metaphor for getting everyone in an organization aligned with Purpose, and is really the "magic" behind Whole Scale Change. When everyone is aligned, the entire organization pulls together in support of each other to achieve its purpose.

Another huge benefit of Whole Scale Change is that the organization automatically achieves team building at the same time it is re-creating itself.

Organizational development practitioners and human resources professionals should be very interested in this book. Add to that any management consultants who are trying to effect a "culture change."

For those who would like to apply this process -- your own personal style & integrity are so fundamental to successes that unless you can "walk the talk," don't even try it. Loving the work more than the money is a fundamental concept that a practitioner would have to have. Kathie Dannemiller especially is so real with clients that it helps them overcome barriers to openness, and enables the magic to happen.

A few other key concepts that resonate throughout the book:
"Action Learning" is another way of saying you have to "trust the process" to get the right results, even though the steps to get there might change along the way. Life is like that.

Remember that in large-scale organization change, none of this has been done with these people, under these conditions, which means you will have to also make adjustments in real-time (also known as "improvisation") to deal with realities and learnings from the group events. Whole Scale Change does an excellent job by allowing for this, and cites many examples to show what it looks like. Also, "Everyone's truth is the truth" - to believe this you have to have a sincere & abiding respect for people - that may not be possible for every organization's leaders, which will limit the results.

The book includes excellent references for further reading, and also great discussions on how Whole Scale was influenced by other practitioners (a thinking bibliography) were very valuable.

Rating:
Summary: Whole Scale Change
Review: This is an excellent book! It pulls it all together. Answers many questions people often ask when involved with "Whole Scale Change" and thereby helps put our fears aside. Easy to read and well thought out. Bubbles with practical processes all can use. Shows why change can be very difficult if not done "Whole Scale". I really liked the phrase "Unleashing The Magic..." - it is so true. This book is definitely on my "A" list!

Lean Business Development Consultant

Rating:
Summary: Whole Scale Change
Review: This is an excellent book! It pulls it all together. Answers many questions people often ask when involved with "Whole Scale Change" and thereby helps put our fears aside. Easy to read and well thought out. Bubbles with practical processes all can use. Shows why change can be very difficult if not done "Whole Scale". I really liked the phrase "Unleashing The Magic..." - it is so true. This book is definitely on my "A" list!

Lean Business Development Consultant

Rating:
Summary: Master-Full
Review: This volume is packed with the words, wisdom and insights of women and men who are, truly, Masters in their field. It's an enriching book written by people who live, breathe and dedicate their life efforts to making human systems work. Their generosity of spirit is inspiring. For people who are struggling with the white waters of a rapidly changing environment (i.e., any executive or consultant who is not asleep) will find this very valuable. An essential addition to the library we all keep and reach for when we need ideas, courage or a reinforcement for our efforts.