An organisation is a pattern of
relationships. In particular, stories and conversations are the heart and soul
of organisational life. The stories people tell reveal and shape their
commitment to the organisation and their sense of what is possible. The
quality of the everyday conversations and negotiations they have with each
other and with customers will determine the quality of service and the
effectiveness of the operation. Yet in many organisations the stories are
negative and the conversations are blocked or fall into destructive loops.
We recognise that change cannot be imposed or
controlled from the top or from the outside. Instead we work with people from
all levels in the organisation to help them tell new, positive stories about
what is possible and what can be done better. We help
facilitate new kinds of conversation, often across boundaries within
the organisation.
Whether we are working with executives on
strategy or scenario planning, with teams on their development, or with the
whole organisation on cultural change we focus on those interactions which lie
at the core of the organisation. Systems, structures and processes all help
the effective organisation but they count for little if the personal
relationships are not right.