Documents such as ISO 31000:2009 discussed in an earlier blog, present a good example or framework for improving organizational effectiveness and performance. Frameworks such as these are meant to be general so that individual organizations can tailor them to specific needs.
When applying a new method, approach, or system, organizations need to consider numerous things in developing an implementation/integration strategy that will bring the initiative to life. One of the challenges organizations have in doing this is generating participation. Volumes are written on this subject in the management and organizational sciences. Some of the key points that reoccur are:
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- Having a clear vision. That is, to generate robust and passionate participation in an organization, a clear vision needs to be developed, expressed, and articulated.
- Creating alignment. The next step is to create alignment on the vision. This includes doing work to distinguish the current conditions and making sure all concerns are heard and resolved.
- Creating projects that matter. With alignment on a common vision, a team can move forward with developing projects that matter. Consideration can be given to tools and skills that may be needed to increase the probability of fulfillment. Some of these tools include leadership skills, communication tools, listening skills, systems thinking, and existence systems.
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In the area of EHS risk management, participation of all levels of an organization is essential, if not critical. The natural evolution of management systems – whether a risk management system, EHS management system, or other – will be to emphasize participation and leadership in a whole new way. I have developed a framework that will be helpful in moving into this next generation, or new era, of management systems. I’ve been calling this Quantum EHS Management Systems, central to which is the development of leadership and participation capacities. There will be more to come on this topic in future newsletters.
An aspect of generating robust participation is creating the condition or environment where innovation can happen, that is, where something new can come into existence. It’s a great question and challenge to ask, how do I bring a new initiative into being? There are numerous approaches for this. One that I have been practicing and think has strong value is the World Café method.
© Redinger EHS, Inc. (2010)