Join us for our August GIODN Event with Diana Whitney, a leading figure in the fields of Appreciative Inquiry and Large-Scale Organization Transformation. Much has changed since the beginning of 2020. Global relations, human well-being, health care, communities, economies, social justice, and social relations, as we have known them, have all been radically disrupted. Around the world, people are asking: How do we go forward? What will be the new normal? Have we reached a global inflection point toward a safe, caring, and just world? Those in the field of OD are wondering: How must our OD practice change to contribute to a world that works for everyone? What do we know about how to create systemic transformation, in the midst of unprecedented disruption in social patterns, change and chaos?
In this session, Dr. Diana Whitney will introduce Seven Tenets of Positive Change and invite us to discuss how they apply to our work with “organizations as opportunities for social justice;” how they invite us to positively transform the power of our practices; and what small experiments we might begin to create a better world for all.
Dr. Diana Whitney is a leading figure in the fields of Appreciative Inquiry and Large-Scale Organization Transformation. She has been at the forefront of positive change theory and practice for three decades. Dr. Whitney founded the international consultancy, Corporation for Positive Change, and co-founded the social constructionist think tank, the Taos Institute. Her work, advising leaders, designing and facilitating social innovation, strategic culture change, merger integration and leadership development with Fortune 100 companies, global interfaith communities and professional associations, has gained her a worldwide following. Her clients include Novartis, British Airways, Verizon and UVA Health System. Diana is a prolific and award-winning author with twenty books and dozens of chapters and articles to her name,including: The Power of Appreciative Inquiry; Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Revolution in Change; and Appreciative Leadership: Focus on What Works to Drive Winning Performance and Build a Thriving Organization. Her most recent and highly relevant book, written with nine women from five countries is Thriving Women, Thriving World: An Invitation to Dialogue, Healing, and Inspired Actions.