David Bright is a professor of organizational behavior and organizational development, and Chair of the Department of Management and International Business at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. An award-winning teacher with over 20 years of experience as a professional facilitator and executive coach, with expertise in organizational development, strategic planning, and change management, David is the co-author of Becoming a Master Manager, a textbook that features a values-based approach to leadership development.

In this episode, we explore how the state of an organization – dysfunctional to extraordinary functioning – impacts whether focusing on strengths or fixing weaknesses will be the best way to create positive changes, and how an appreciative lens can help the find the possibilities for any problems.

Connect with David Bright: 

• David Bright

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You’ll Learn:

• [02:27] – David explains how the Competing Values Management framework can help leaders and organization positively navigate the many paradoxes workplaces face today.
• [08:16] – David shares how he has been practically applying the competing values framework as a leader during his university’s strategic planning process.
• [13:53] – David outline why cynical conversations can provide positive experiences and outcomes in change processes and how to harness this energy.
• [18:13] – David explains why it’s important to assess the current state of a workplace – whether it leans towards dysfunction or extraordinary functioning – before deciding if a generative conversation or appreciative inquiry approach will be the best way to create positive changes.
• [26:11] – David completes the Lightning Round.

Your Resources:

• MPPW Podcast on Facebook
• Leadership & Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute
• The Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute
• The Outward Mindset by the Arbinger Institute

Thanks for listening! 

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.

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Until next time, take care!  Thank you David!