[Ailist] 360 and nueroplasticity

[ronsmith at terrela.com]

This information has been on the list before but I think it is important to 
reintroduce it from time to time... the research in the area of 
nueroplasticity. Sharon Begley talks about this in her new book, (Train Your 
Mind, Change Your Brain). This may help us explain to those just discovering 
AI that it is more than something you use or do. For me it is a life-long 
practice that is intertwined with meditation and my way of living and being. 
This research will also help with our clients from Missouri (the "show me" 
state) that AI really works and isn't the latest fad. Granted, there is a 
leap that has to be made since the research is more narrowly defined but I 
think leaders will see the connection between nueroplasticity and say an 
appreciative 360 process.

The idea that the brain adapts, grows nueronal connections, uses its 
flexibility etc through thought and action in a particular area helps 
reinforce the AI principle that we "move in the direction of our thoughts 
and the questions we ask". The experiment with Israelis (in the book) where 
they use  "priming" to increase participants empathetic responses dovetails 
nicely with the principles and theories of AI. Many of us have experienced 
the room "shift" first hand and now we have some western science merging 
with eastern practices (buddhism for example) that begins to explain how 
this might be working.  This both excites me and scares me just a bit.

I encourage those who haven't explored this area to check out the recent 
research and developments. I also like Margaret Wheatleys writings on how 
physics (quantum mechanics for example) relates to human processes and the 
way organizations behave. Its not everyone's "cup of tea" but its 
interesting and exciting for those of us who spend time thinking about what 
things mean and how they are interconnected.

Ron Smith
Director
Centro de Liderazgo
Universidad Latinoamericana
Gabriel Mancera 1402
Colonia Del Valle, D.F.
Ciudad Mexico, Mexico 03100
of: (011 52 from usa) 55 8500 8100 ext. 8235
cel: (011 52 1 from usa)  55 4143 8766




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Holdstock" <michael.holdstock at telia.com>
To: <ailist at lists.business.utah.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 3:08 AM
Subject: [Ailist] appreciative group 360


>I am in the process of designing an appreciative 360 for a client/manager.
>
> How his staff feel about him I can handle, but he would also like to know 
> how the staff feel/experience/appreciate each other (we are talking about 
> groups of size 8/10).
>
> Anyone got any protocols/links/books/articles and not least experience and 
> ideas they would like to share with me - which I will later digest for the 
> list?
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Mike
> Karlstad, Sweden
> Inspire them, support them and get out of the way
> _______________________________________________
> The Appreciative Inquiry Discussion List is hosted by the David Eccles 
> School of Business at the University of Utah. Jack Brittain is the list 
> administrator. For subscription information, go to:
> http://mailman.business.utah.edu:8080/mailman/listinfo/ailist
>