The Future Search Approach for Facilitating Organisational Change and Community Development
Introduction to Future Search
The term ‘Future Search’ refers to both a set of principles (’Future Search principles’) and a particular method based on those principles (’Future Search conference method’) that facilitates enormous organisational change and community development.
It is based on 60+ years of management theory and practice and reflects the emerging most effective approach of “Everybody Improves Whole Systems” - also known as “The Whole System Improves Whole Systems”. More on the ‘whole system”.
This emerging approach was uncovered by Marv Weisbord while reflecting on his own work and that of the great management theorists of the 20th Century. (Along with Sandra Janoff, Marv is also the co-creator of the Future Search approach. He is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the US OD Network, and his book Productive Workplaces was nominated as one of the most important OD texts of the last 40 years.)
Inherent in the approach is the idea that despite the enormous benefits of technology, when it comes to communication and effecting change in any organisation or community, nothing beats face to face.
The descriptors we use here for this face to face communication are “action-oriented meetings” or just “meetings” — although you should be aware that we are not talking about the usual less than fully productive meetings that occur in many organisations and communities.
In summary therefore Future Search is the best approach we know of for effecting organisational change and community development, as well as the best approach we know of for enhancing the productivity of your everyday meetings.
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If only every facilitator worked like this, we would all sign up |
Outcomes to Organisational Change and Community Development
In short, the way that Future Search facilitates organisational change and community development is by enabling far greater enthusiastic collaborative action between internal and external stakeholders so that the organisation or community can achieve that which it was previously unable to achieve.
At its ideal, there are 7 distinct outcomes that are achieved with the approach.
Understandable Scepticism
Many organisational and community leaders have understandable scepticism about this approach for two reasons.
Firstly, like all of us, you have probably experienced many small group meetings that were unproductive, let alone large group meetings.
It is the combination of proper planning, quality meeting leadership and particularly the 8 Future Search principles that make this approach so powerful and so effective.
Second, many leaders are concerned about things that may be shared during the process and what will come out of it.
This is covered in more detail in our Organisational FAQs and Community FAQs but suffice to say that (1) anything that is shared is done so bearing in mind that no organisation or community is perfect and that every organisation or community has the ability to improve, (2) you can set in advance any important non-negotiable parameters, and (3) as one participant, you have the right to disagree with any of the proposed strategic areas.
The final point to make about any such understandable scepticism is that the outcomes speak for themselves. Read the praise from other organisational and community leaders.
Organisational and Community Social Responsibility
A final point to note is that the Future Search approach not only effects change, but does so through fully engaging staff, constituents and stakeholders, thus giving rise to a greater sense of meaning, purpose and joy for those stakeholders. As such, it is not only the best approach we know of for effecting change but also for effecting social responsibility.
More Information on This Approach to Organisational Change and Community Development
More on how this approach leads to Organisational Change and Community Development.
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Prestigious Change Workshop
Advanced Meeting Leadership Workshop for Leaders and Consultants, with internationally renowned US authors and consultants Marv Weisbord and Sandra Janoff of Future Search fame. Sydney. October 2008. Large discounts for first 20 registrants! » More details
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