The Search Conference: A Powerful Method for Planning Organizational Change and Community ActionThe Search Conference is not just another management tool, but a participative approach to planned change that engages the collective learning and creativity of large groups, inspiring people to find common ground around new strategies, future directions, and joint actions. The process combines the best practices associated with strategic planning, systems thinking, and effective group communications - enabling participants to take part fully, rise above self-interest, and make decisions for the common good. Written by Search Conference pioneer Merrelyn Emery and Ronald Purser, this book uses a wealth of illustrative examples from a wide variety of nonprofit, business, and public organizations that attest to the versatility of this important organization development intervention. |
Common terms and phrases
achieved active adaptation Australian National University behavior Big Rapids Bion brainstorming brainstorming session bureaucratic Chapter collaborative common ground constraints context contextual environment coordination create creative criteria culture democracy democratic structure Design Principle desirable future discussion dynamics economic development educational paradigm employees ence environmental environmental scan Eric Trist event experience ference fight-flight flip charts Fred Emery Front Range Future Search group assumptions group dynamics Hewlett-Packard history session human ideals implementation individual integration involved issues knowledge large-group learning Merrelyn mode open systems organization development organizational outcomes participants perceptions phase planning process planning team plenary probable future problem purpose requires responsibility role Search Con Search Conference design Search Conference managers Search Conference method search conferencing shared small groups social sponsor strategic goals strategic planning systems thinking theory ticipants tion trends Trist turbulent environment vision West Side Xerox