Click “Video” in the session listing to view video of the session.
Nine presentations on generative practices held over three semesters (Fall 2010, Winter 2011, and Fall 2011) comprised a special series of Positive Links sessions.
Fall 2011 — Revealing Generative Resources
The Ascent from Hell: The Emergence of Positive Assets in the Unfolding of War
Larry Dewey, University of Washington School of Medicine – September 19
We will explore the core traumas of war – especially the burden of killing – how it affects combatants, and how they find the strength to recover from this most brutal of traumas.
Larry Dewey, M.D., is a clinical associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine and an Affiliate Professor of Psychiatry at the Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine. He is the author of War and Redemption, a text on the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) written for clinicians, soldiers, their families, and the interested public. He has treated combat veterans from World War II and every subsequent war and conflict for nearly 30 years and was honored as the physician “Health Care Hero 2007” in the State of Idaho in 2007 for his work with veterans. He was raised on a farm in Idaho but graduated from Harvard College in 1975. He obtained his medical degree from Harvard in 1979 and completed a four-year fellowship in psychiatry and medicine at Yale University in 1983. He has dedicated his professional life to the treatment of our nation’s veterans.
More Info ↓
Less Info ↑
Necessity and Innovation: How to Utilize the Blessings of Dark Times
Jeff DeGraff, University of Michigan – October 24
Why is necessity the mother of invention? If positivity leads to high performance, then why is it that breakthrough innovations have a tendency to emerge in the depths of the worst types of crises? Terrorist attacks, pandemics, political revolutions, financial meltdowns, natural disasters, and the like have forged our modern world in the fiery furnaces of destruction and misery. This presentation will explore the double-edged role of risk and reward and its ability to pull us towards higher forms of growth via innovation. It will differentiate positivity from happiness, and will challenge the tacit tenet that we alone, through our personal aspirations and agency, move ourselves to higher performance. Instead, it will frame our growth, both personal and communal, as a natural dynamic of integrated structures and systems, and suggest how these underlying forces often bring unique opportunities.
More Info ↓
Less Info ↑
Becoming The Key To Every Door: Practical Lessons From The Transformational Moment
Robert E. Quinn, University of Michigan — November 21
People of extraordinary capacity tend to transcend normal assumptions. Acting on unusual beliefs, in their particular context, they may accomplish what does not seem possible. They may even do it repeatedly. In social life there are times when such individuals inspire others to make extraordinary assumptions. What sometimes follows is the emergence of new, collective capacity. Sometimes this shift occurs in a single moment, the moment of transformation. Little attention is paid to this moment. Yet a close examination of the transformational moment can give us clues about how to increase our own capacity to make a difference at critical moments and, perhaps, how to do it repeatedly.
More Info ↓
Less Info ↑
Winter 2011 — Generative Influence
An Invitation to Excellence: Positive Organizing and the Generative Practices of Extraordinary People
Robert E. Quinn, University of Michigan - January 31
The presentation will begin with an exploration of the generative practices of people who are making an extraordinary difference through the process of positive organizing. Normal organizing is based on assumptions of hierarchy, authority, and self-interested exchange. Positive organizing is based on assumptions of equality, trust, and the pursuit of the common good. In this presentation I focus on people who do not see themselves as leaders, who are not highly valued in the economy, who are expected to work with challenging clients, and who must do this in a context that is hierarchical, under-resourced, public, and politically charged. I examine the generative practices of public school teachers. These teachers have been objectively identified, through value-added scores, as teachers who perform at the far end of the normal curve. Despite their limiting context, they have extraordinary impact on their students. The principles by which they operate have implications well beyond the act of teaching. These people invite each of us to a life of more excellent contribution and increased meaning. (NOTE: This session will end, as usual, at 1 p.m. Those who are interested are invited to stay on for a round-table discussion until about 2 p.m.).
More Info ↓
Less Info ↑
Positive Organizational Communication: Research and Tools for Transforming Conversations Even in Trying Times
Ryan W. Quinn, University of Virginia - March 14
In this presentation I will introduce a few of the fundamental observations that scholars make about organizational communication, the problems that these observations pose for people in organizations, and the solutions that are typically recommended. After doing this for each observation, I will re-examine these same observations from a positive perspective, showing how the same principles that are often perceived as disadvantages can also be used to create extraordinary outcomes. Throughout the presentation I will use an example of an organization facing significant challenges and facilitate a discussion among the audience about how the principles and tools we are discussing apply to the situation.
More Info ↓
Less Info ↑
Leadership Construction in Organizations: An Invitation to a Conversation
Susan J. Ashford - April 11
In trying times, organizations need to get more from all of their resources, including human resources. And yet there are many limits on organizations' ability to do so. This talk is an invitation to a conversation about one such limit -- the way we conceptualize and socially construct leadership in organizations. Sue Ashford will share with attendees some new research on leadership identities and their implications in organizations. This research encourages attendees to rethink commonly held assumptions about leadership, and illuminates how encouraging the construction of leadership identities is one way that organizations can be resilient and thrive in trying times. The talk will draw on research currently being pursued by Sue Ashford, Scott DeRue, Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks, Ned Wellman, and Lisa Marchiondo.
More Info ↓
Less Info ↑
Video Not Available
Fall 2010 — Being Generative
Bringing a Positive Lens to Troubled Situations
Kim Cameron, University of Michigan - October 4
Troubled situations often lead to negativity, rigidity, and the “dirty dozen” (a dozen negative, dysfunctional dynamics in organizations). On the other hand, a growing literature is confirming the relationship between positivity and physiological health outcomes, psychological well-being, flourishing social relationships, and broadening mental capacities. The validity of positivity has now largely been established. We all know, however, that a group of positive people does not necessarily translate into a positive organization, especially in troubled circumstances. The processes and practices in organizations create different dynamics. Less evidence exists, unfortunately, that positivity has an effect at the organizational level of analysis. The question remains, does positivity translate into improved organizational performance, especially under stressful and challenging circumstances? This presentation will explore this question.
More Info ↓
Less Info ↑
Energy Management: Generative Practices for Turbulent Times
Gretchen Spreitzer, University of Michigan - November 8
Over the last few years, I have focused much of my research attention on thriving at work. In this workshop, we will drill down to better understand one of the two dimensions of thriving at work – energy. As we wrap up a beautiful fall and move toward some of the darkest days of the year, our energy can feel depleted. I will share the findings of a research project examining how people manage their energy at work. You will also have a chance to complete an energy audit to map your own energy over the course of a day. We’ll close with sharing best practices we use to manage our energy. Hope to see you!
More Info ↓
Less Info ↑
Leading Towards Opportunity in Times of Crisis
Erika James, University of Virginia - December 6
On the surface, the idea of positivity in crisis may seem to be an oxymoron. Crises, after all, are high-impact negative events with the potential to threaten every aspect of the organization. Not much about this definition evokes positivity. In this workshop we will discuss the potential for positively-oriented leadership to bring the proverbial opportunities from crisis situations. Through a series of assessments and exercise, we will get in touch with the emotions that drive our response to crisis, and then explore how to use those emotions in order to elicit the proverbial opportunities from crisis. We will conclude by identifying specific opportunities that can be realized for your organizations.
More Info ↓
Less Info ↑
