Appreciative Leadership by Diana Whitney & Amanda Trosten-Bloom & Kae Rader

Author:Diana Whitney & Amanda Trosten-Bloom & Kae Rader
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
Published: 2010-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

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Think about the “youth” in your organization or community. Who are they? What special gifts do they have? How might you more fully engage with them?

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The Wisdom of Elders

Another group to consciously include in conversations and decision making are elders—people whose years of experience add up to know-how, common sense, and wisdom. In many cultures the elders are respected community leaders. They are honored in a wide range of ways: by being listened to, by having their ideas considered, and by serving as mentors to youth. They are often the ones to bring perspective. Their life experiences give them the capacity to see and speak for the whole. They can often see where things are going, not because they have extrasensory perception but because they have been there before. Experienced members of any organization or community are valued resources. They are informational and inspirational sources of potential.

There are many ways you might elicit the perspectives and wisdom that elders can bring. The following are some ideas for you to try and see what happens:

• Create an elders’ advisory council and call on the council to reflect upon and share ideas related to key issues and decisions.

• Establish a process for new employees to interview both older and long-term employees—to learn from them, to build relationships, and to foster cross-generational collaboration.

• Invite longtime staff members to participate on strategic teams or task forces.

• Ask elders to teach subjects of interest and experience to other members of the organization.

• Create a “Why you would want my job” campaign that enables elders to participate in recruiting new employees.

During an Appreciative Inquiry Summit, focused on the company’s culture, Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Division set aside time for its elders—people with 10 or more years of service—to speak. They were invited to share stories from their past that illustrated the company at its best, that provided insight into unique strengths and skills, and that needed to be remembered going forward. The stories were rich and engaging—so much so that they were later assembled into a video presentation that was aired during new hire orientations. The film became an oral record of the company’s history and strengths— an inspiration for future generations of employees.

Elders are the keepers of the stories. They are the ancestors on whose shoulders the future will stand. Recognizing the wisdom of elders, Appreciative Leadership actively includes those with seasoning, experience, and maturity.

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