Applying creative tools to organisation development

The link between organisation development work and applied theatre and other creative arts is using creative tools such as drama, voice work, storytelling, visualisation with collaborative inquiry and action learning to engage, empower, explore meaning and express aspirations in community and organisation settings. These tools bridge and celebrate diversity, promote inclusion and collaboration, build communities and teams and support courageous conversations to breakthrough personal and institutional barriers. We are aiming to combine our strengths in organisation development and applied theatre and visual arts where this would be an appropriate intervention for a prospective client or community group.

Please contact Stephen or Joanna to discuss this possibility on 07860 326338 or email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Visual engagement – using pictures and story to engage employees in vision and strategy

The picture shown here – ‘The Story of Engagement’ – was developed in 2002 by Stephen and artist Julian Burton when Stephen was asked to speak at a large Marketing Week conference. Rather than use Powerpoint, Stephen worked with Julian to storyboard and create this picture, which we gave to conference participants to explore using A3 prints of the picture. Stephen asked people to work in pairs to answer: ‘What elements in the picture relate to your experience? How well do you engage people in understanding and committing to the strategy at all levels in the organisation? What is different on the right hand side? Finally, how have you found using the picture to explore this issue?’ He took feedback from tables which affirmed this as a powerful technique to explore complexity and share ideas. The picture summarises how visual engagement works! Stephen has worked with Julian and other artists on a number ‘Rich Picture’ projects with companies as diverse as Prudential, Barclays, Premier Farnell, Aon and Cadbury Schweppes and frequently uses graphic facilitators to record workshop conversations. He now works as an associate Consulting Director with AllChange, see www.allchange.co.uk working with Ian Ure and Doug Cameron to bring strategy development and change to life through visual engagement.

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