Facilitating organizations to dance with the complex “logic of life”: spinning with paradoxes in regenerative appreciative inquiry summits

Abstract

Purpose Organizations will be key to realizing the “transformative change for humanity” now being called for. However, the complexity calls for new ways of facilitating change and organizational learning; it also calls for moving beyond sustainability to develop practices that restore and regenerate the world in which we live. Above all, it calls for the development of new frameworks, practices, mindset and capabilities to hold space for and facilitate such transformation, to dance with the “Logic of Life.” The purpose of this study is to contribute to advancing the current leading frameworks and practices of facilitating learning and development towards the enabling of regenerative transformative change in organizations and society. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on an exploratory qualitative analysis of a facilitation prototype that expands the current framework and practice of Appreciative Inquiry Summits toward regeneration. Findings This study presents four paradoxes of regenerative facilitation to guide the dance for life in complex ecosystems. It also identifies that the dance needs to be widened, towards inviting more frequently the ends of the four paradoxes noted as regenerative, negative emotions, inner and more-than-human. Originality/value This study explores the intersection of practices and frameworks for facilitating complexity with principles from regenerative leadership and complexity theory, potentially making an important contribution to the urgent and widespread need to facilitate a regenerative transformative change for humanity, society and our organizations.

Special issue guest editorial: Perspectives on sustainable learning and organizing, part one

“…The first article is written by Johan Lilja (Lilja, 2024) and asserts that organizations will be key for realizing the “transformative change for humanity” now being called for though the complexity calls for new ways of facilitating change and organizational learning. Furthermore, this calls for moving beyond sustainability to develop practices that restore and regenerate the world in which we live.…”

How does learning facilitate development?

“…Lilja (2024) explored regenerative, transformative change and proposed the use of appreciative inquiry as a method for exploring, discovering and appreciating all that gives “life” to organizations when they are most dynamic, effective, successful and healthy in relation to the entire system of stakeholders (Ludema & Fry, 2008, p. 280). It involves inquiry and anticipatory learning that stimulates the creation of new knowledge and creative energy through collaboration with others.…”

“…Sunnemark, Lundqvist Westin, Al Saad, & Assmo (2024) investigated the barriers and facilitators to knowledge transfer and learning processes in a collaborative project in a municipal organization in Sweden. Lilja (2024) explored how learning and development enable regenerative, transformative change. Brandenberger, Hasu, & Nerland (2024) examined the challenges of shaping sustainable change in the course of digitalization in primary care.…”