Overview

Organization-level problems, such as 'problems of diversity' are extraordinarily complex. Finding ways to solve the problems takes special capabilities, including the capacity to develop problem-solving approaches that allow for creative solutions.

People have enormous capacity for find creative solutions when they work together to solve problems. It takes people working together to develop an organizational culture where they not only accept but also appreciate the importance of diversity in organizations. We help people to develop their joint capacity for problem-solving.

For people to tackle tough problems together takes insight, encouragement, and practice. Our approach is to encourage them through an experiential learning process tied to participants' own organizational issues and challenges. Participants learn to deal with tough problems and they practice ways of solving them.

A Culture of Integrity within a Police Department

As an example of the work we do, the Organizational Coaching and Leadership Group created a program for a police department. The aim: to develop and enhance their capacity to tackle tough organizational problems as part of their leadership development initiative.

The program, "Leadership, Coaching, and Organizational Change, included:

A four-month learning process of workshops, learning guides, and group projects.

Learning new skills for coaching and leading organizational change.

The OC and LG provided the following approach, concepts, and tools:

A six-step individual coaching process

A framework for tackling "tough" organizational problems

Ten conversations to generate organizational alignment so people can solve their tough problems together

Outcomes for the police department included:

New leadership skills to support both sworn and civilian staff

Employees supporting a culture of integrity through personal power, accountability, and learning.

Team's visualization of culture of integrity as class activity