Herb Stevenson

Thoughts is a story about how thoughts create our realities. It is a fun and exciting spiritual journey about the awakening process of an individual whose world is turned upside down when he meets this strange person named DocKnow. It is whimsical and piercing in the ponderings evoked as the pages magnetically draw one into a exploration of the inner world that creates the meaning making perceptions of the outer world.

In this part of the series, we reframe the discussion to engage, explore, and use doubt through abductive logic and sensemaking as a form of integrative synthesis. We will examine the abductive (best guess) logic often used to address and resolve the doubt, often diminishing the original commitment to the project. We will further explore how Festinger’s cognitive dissonance, often triggered by doubt, is a natural process that seeks to expand understanding in a chaotic world. It ensures that the… Show more

In this part of the series, we reframe the discussion to engage, explore, and use doubt through abductive logic and sensemaking as a form of integrative synthesis. We will examine the abductive (best guess) logic often used to address and resolve the doubt, often diminishing the original commitment to the project. We will further explore how Festinger’s cognitive dissonance, often triggered by doubt, is a natural process that seeks to expand understanding in a chaotic world. It ensures that the complex interplay between belief and doubt is continuous; therefore, doubt is not the interruption of action (although it may interrupt specific actions). Rather, it is the impetus to ensure that beliefs are examined and remain malleable, adaptive, and increasingly complex. As such, it is indicated that the often-disconcerting tensions between belief and doubt are necessary for creative action and ordinary problem solving. (Locke, Golden-Biddle & Feldman, 2008, 909) Doubt treated as time to pause and expand the problem definition can break habitualized thinking and rote problem-solving. Show less

In this article, we examine self-doubt and its impact on successful project completion and change initiatives. We will examine the abductive (best guess) logic often used to address and resolve the doubt, often diminishing the original commitment to the project. Because doubt and conviction (commitment) are so entwined (Srikantia & Pasmore, 1996, 42), not recognizing the daily internal struggles that permeates most projects or change initiatives can lead to the unseen, impending project failure… Show more

In this article, we examine self-doubt and its impact on successful project completion and change initiatives. We will examine the abductive (best guess) logic often used to address and resolve the doubt, often diminishing the original commitment to the project. Because doubt and conviction (commitment) are so entwined (Srikantia & Pasmore, 1996, 42), not recognizing the daily internal struggles that permeates most projects or change initiatives can lead to the unseen, impending project failure indicated in Part 1, (Stevenson, 2017). Show less

Seems the turbulence of the world continues to impact most leaders and coaches. In this issue, I introduce a simple decision-making model that can be used as the leader or coach of an executive team. I am using an old-school model by Mintzberg and Westley that suggests that "rational decision-making has a clearly identified process: define > diagnose > design > decide." However, they wisely indicate that the rational approach turns out to be uncommon. In a volatile, uncertain, complex… Show more

Seems the turbulence of the world continues to impact most leaders and coaches. In this issue, I introduce a simple decision-making model that can be used as the leader or coach of an executive team. I am using an old-school model by Mintzberg and Westley that suggests that "rational decision-making has a clearly identified process: define > diagnose > design > decide." However, they wisely indicate that the rational approach turns out to be uncommon. In a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, (VUCA) environment, rationality can get lost in "tried and tested" prior successes that no longer apply. Those that understand the shift in the contextual environment and apply a reflective approach tend to get more forward movement while learning how to navigate the "never seen before economic storms." Show less

Recent research (Brown, Hyer, Ettenson, Spring, 2017, 79-87) suggests that there are multiple variables that impact any project or change initiative. We often assume that these variables are simply standard business practices without determining how these shifts effect the project and change initiatives. For example, shifting organizational priorities, changes in leadership, and distrust concerning the project plan (and approval) are common variables that occur without fully vetting the impact… Show more

Recent research (Brown, Hyer, Ettenson, Spring, 2017, 79-87) suggests that there are multiple variables that impact any project or change initiative. We often assume that these variables are simply standard business practices without determining how these shifts effect the project and change initiatives. For example, shifting organizational priorities, changes in leadership, and distrust concerning the project plan (and approval) are common variables that occur without fully vetting the impact on the project or change initiative. These variables can trigger the cycle of doubt that suddenly begins to undermine the support of the project Show less

When working with clients that need to improve their leadership effectiveness, I tend to examine the larger picture. Leadership effectiveness is based on

a deeply personal awareness of the need for change,
a clear compelling picture of what is the change,
a breakthrough insight into what has to change within the leaders present mental models, and
a critical mass of people that share the first three perceptions.

Kotter and other change authors support these tenets of… Show more

When working with clients that need to improve their leadership effectiveness, I tend to examine the larger picture. Leadership effectiveness is based on

a deeply personal awareness of the need for change,
a clear compelling picture of what is the change,
a breakthrough insight into what has to change within the leaders present mental models, and
a critical mass of people that share the first three perceptions.

Kotter and other change authors support these tenets of change through their various models. However, when borrowing from insights thousands of years old, we can sometimes deepen our understanding as coaches (and leaders) of what it really means to create permanent change. Show less

During the last forty years, members of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland have created an organizational development (OD) theory by combining Gestalt psychology with Gestalt therapy. Steeped in humanistic psychology, phenomenology and existentialism, holism, field theory, and systems theory, the resulting Gestalt approach to OD has evolved as a present-centered, awareness-building, and high-impact form of intervention. Aside from its unique approach to interventions, its particular core… Show more

During the last forty years, members of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland have created an organizational development (OD) theory by combining Gestalt psychology with Gestalt therapy. Steeped in humanistic psychology, phenomenology and existentialism, holism, field theory, and systems theory, the resulting Gestalt approach to OD has evolved as a present-centered, awareness-building, and high-impact form of intervention. Aside from its unique approach to interventions, its particular core assumptions have led to developing the Gestalt “consulting stance.”

In this article, the core of Gestalt theory and the Gestalt consulting stance, as it applies to organizational development, as well as to diversity and inclusion, will be discussed. Borrowing from the author’s global experience, in which nationalities, ethnicities, and cultural differences converge within one organization, or joint venture, the Gestalt consulting stance (and theory) that supports effective OD interventions, and involves issues of diversity and inclusion, will be illuminated. Finally, using the Gestalt consulting stance, there is an examination of the impact of the ever-increasing size of organizations on diversity. We will see that the migration from international to global organizations, inherently, involves greater diversity. Rather than embracing diversity throughout these organizations, global organizations are clearly diverse and need to become inclusive to be effective. Show less

The drama triangle that often surfaces in executive teams. The triangles are energetic system dynamics that seem to reside just below the individual and team awareness; however, everyone is aware that the team is dysfunctional or believes that the other members of the team are dysfunctional. In truth, all team dynamics are co-created over time by the creative adjustments each person makes during the initial formation and then continuing on over the course of the team's history. If able to step… Show more

The drama triangle that often surfaces in executive teams. The triangles are energetic system dynamics that seem to reside just below the individual and team awareness; however, everyone is aware that the team is dysfunctional or believes that the other members of the team are dysfunctional. In truth, all team dynamics are co-created over time by the creative adjustments each person makes during the initial formation and then continuing on over the course of the team's history. If able to step back to witness their own process and move away from the emotionally value-laden perceptions, the triangle can be broken. If not, the meetings tend to be long, arduous, and non-productive. Show less

As the world becomes more complex, the defining values of the individual will determine whether or not an individual is fully congruent with themselves, the organization and the larger society. Incongruence between each of these values systems can lead to a large gap between intent and impact resulting in unintended consequences and authentic irresponsisbility.

A serious reflection on what is trust, how do we create it or not and how do we misuse distrust.

Understanding the behavioral elements of trust and distrust can enhance executive coaching and executive leadership.

For the last two years, I've been working with senior leaders moving into the executive ranks. One of the critical issues has been work/life balance. Whether participants in leadership development programs or individual coaching, the interest seems higher than in any of my prior years of experience. Recently, the interest has led to extended conversations of what is work/life balance. These conversations have led to a more clear conclusion that there is no such thing as a work/life balance for… Show more

For the last two years, I've been working with senior leaders moving into the executive ranks. One of the critical issues has been work/life balance. Whether participants in leadership development programs or individual coaching, the interest seems higher than in any of my prior years of experience. Recently, the interest has led to extended conversations of what is work/life balance. These conversations have led to a more clear conclusion that there is no such thing as a work/life balance for executives. However, there is a self-determined formula for work/life effectiveness. Show less

Self awareness is a critical aspect of executive success. Often, perceptual momentum prevents executives from seeing their momentum traps

Supporting behavioral change requires tools that are easy to use and make sense to clients. PRC works.

When working with executives, the system may prevent permanent change unless it is involved at some level in the change process.

Part 2 of Organizational Culture and Coaching

Examines 3 organizational cultures

Examines cross cultural implications for coaches

Gestalt Coaching of Perceptual Patterns

Addresses the confusion between urgency and priority that leads to leadership mistakes.

Gestalt Coaching

Detailed explanation of gestalt approach to change

The Paradox of change

Description of the gestalt consulting process.

Basic coaching concepts