Re-Authoring the World

Chene Swart

Description

Reauthoring the World invites readers to a transformational way of being in the world. It translates the Narrative Therapy approach and practices for people outside the therapeutic context that are interested in shifting the stories of their own lives as well as the communities and organisations that they work in.

Sujets

• Gestion et management

Informations

• Publié par: Knowledge Resources Publishing
• Date de parution: 06 décembre 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781869224523
• Langue: English

Extrait

Re-Authoring the World


The Narrative Lens and Practices for Organisations, Communities and Individuals


Chené Swart






2013
Copyright © Knowres Publishing and Chené Swart

All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the contents of this work do not, directly or indirectly, infringe any existing copyright of any third person and, further, that all quotations or extracts taken from any other publication or work have been appropriately acknowledged and referenced. The publisher, editors and printers take no responsibility for any copyright infringement committed by an author of this work.

Copyright subsists in this work. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written consent of the publisher or the author.

While the publisher, editors and printers have taken all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this work, they take no responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of that person relying on the information contained in this work.

First published in 2013

ISBN: 978-1-86922-452-3 EPUB

Published by Knowres Publishing (Pty) Ltd
P O Box 3954
Randburg
2125
Republic of South Africa

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Website: www.kr.co.za

Printed and bound: Shumani Printers (Pty) Ltd, Parow Industria, Cape Town
Typesetting, layout and design: Cia Joubert, [e-mail]
Cover design: Nadia du Plessis, [e-mail]
Illustrations: Lana Oosthuizen, [e-mail]
Photo: Harriet Kaufman
Editing and proofreading: Elsa Crous, [e-mail]
Project management: Cia Joubert, [e-mail]
Index created with: TExtract, www.Texyz.com
To Beloved Friends
Manna at the table of companionship
-See you soon-
Contents
Acknowledgements
Welcome

INTRODUCTION TO THE NARRATIVE APPROACH
Talking Narrative
The Problem Story
Challenging Our Complacencies
The Possibility of the Narrative Lens
The Alternative
Re-Authoring Our World

PART I: NARRATIVE WORK AS A WAY OF BEING
Chapter One: The Narratives of Self
The World of Silent Servant
The Fall
Naming the Alternative Narrative
Enriching the Alternative Narrative
Saying Goodbye

PART II: INVITATIONS TO RE-HUMANISE OUR WORLD
Chapter Two: Sanibonani to Human Beings
Human Beings As Storying Beings
Human Beings As Naming Beings
Human Beings As Interpreting Beings
Human Beings As Knowledgeable Beings
Human Beings As Agents and Authors
Chapter Three: Re-Authorise Our World
Taken-for-Granted-Beliefs and Ideas
Whom We Authorise to Speak
The Influence and Effects of the Taken-for-Granted
How to Live the Life
The Effects of the Alternative Way of Living
Chapter Four: Re-Dream Our World through Alternative Narratives
Invitations into the Alternative Narrative
The Portal into Human Becoming
From Isolation to Belonging As a Community Comes Alongside
The Gifts of the Community
What the Alternative Narrative Is Not
PART III: HOW TO DO THE WORK
Chapter Five: Transformational Conversations
Creating a Transformational Space
Transformational Listening
Transformational Questioning
Transformational Documentation
Chapter Six: A Walk-Through of the Narrative Process
The Ground and Roots of the Work
The Relationship That Carries the Work
A Walk Through the Narrative Process
Chapter Seven: Putting the Narrative Process to Work
Calling Out the Stars in the Constellation
Thin and Thick Descriptions of Our Stories
Naming the Constellation of the Problem Story
Exploring the Alternative Story
Reflections
Chapter Eight: Re-Authoring the Communal Narrative
Narrative Group or Communal Work
Invitation
The Narrative Process for Communities
The Story of the Community
Constructing the Community’s Social History

PART IV: NARRATIVE WORK IN THE ORGANISATIONAL WORLD
Chapter Nine: The Story of Scarcity and Abundance
Shifting the Economics
Implications for the Work and World of Business
Chapter Ten: Narrative Coaching
The Corporate Coaching World
The Narrative Coaching Process
The Application of the Narrative Ideas
Stories of Work
Ethical Implications of the Work
The Coachee Is Not Alone
An Example of Practice
Chapter Eleven: Narrative Leadership
The Industry of Leadership
The World That the Leadership Story Is Living and Leaning into
The Taken-for-Granted Ideas and Beliefs Informing Our Current understanding of Leadership
What the Narrative Leadership Lens Is Not
Narrative Leadership As An Alternative
Narrative Leadership in Action: The Journey into The Mystery of Great Love

Chapter Twelve: Narrative Consulting
Consulting With the Narrative Approach in South Africa
The Work of a Narrative Consultant
The Gift of the Narrative Work to Organisations
PART V: THE TRANSFORMATIONAL NATURE OF THE NARRATIVE WORK
Chapter Thirteen: Invitations to Transformation
Invitations and Portals to Transformation
Re-Authoring As a Doorway to Transformation
The Manifestations of Transformation
The Unending Transformation
The Space in-between Narratives
Communal Transformation
Transformation of All That We Have Known
Reading List for the Curious
Websites
Books
Works Consulted
Glossary
About the Author
The Voices of the Readers
Index
Acknowledgements
I n my first class at the Institute for Therapeutic Development in Pretoria in 2002, Dr Elmarie Kotzé introduced herself by sharing with us the stories of gratitude she has for a community of people on whose shoulders she stands. 1 As my feet are planted on the African continent, with its deeply rooted communal understanding of identity, it is a privilege for me now to honour the shoulders I am standing on. These ‘shoulders’ have not only supported the writing of this book, but have been collaborators, co-constructers and co-writers.

1 Elmarie Kotzé is a lecturer in Narrative therapy at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. Elmarie and Dirk Kotzé started the Institute for Therapeutic Development that ran Master’s and doctoral programmes in practical theology, specialising in pastoral therapy, with the University of South Africa in Pretoria.
In Narrative work we are aware that we cannot but see the world through our own culture, nation and worldview or paradigm. Given the emphasis on our narratives in this work, we know that people are not objective clean slates as they enter any conversation. They are informed by a multiplicity of narratives, cultures, gifts, values, hopes, dreams and possibilities. In writing this book, I know that I was also informed by the multiplicities of my world and life. The particularities of my local tradition, community, culture, neighbourhood and context are rich gifts that inform the descriptions of the alternative narrative I am living in this world.
Africa
I stand on the shoulders of and am informed by the African continent, that has taught me change is the only constant, that there is a dance for every occasion, that there is a spiritual world beyond what we call reality, and that greeting and truly seeing one another are crucial to the experience of humanity.
South Africa
I am informed by the South African history of pain and possibility. I have tasted the fear of a nation in transition, and I am now celebrating the rich and diverse tapestry of alternative narratives arising every day. Our history has forced us to be the answer to the alternative, and within all our challenges and problem stories, the exceptions are always present. We bring to the world the gift of reconciliation, open and honest conversations around our differences, and stories of how these conversations influence us. We dare to talk openly about what matters.
Afrikaner
In addition, I see the world through the eyes of my Afrikaner culture with its pioneering spirit, a willingness to explore the world, the belief that we can always make a plan, and a strong belief in God. I also come from the dark history of the Afrikaners’ implementation and institutionalisation of apartheid in South Africa. This painful history privileged me because I benefited from the various possibilities that were available, while the voices of black, Indian and coloured people were silenced and discriminated against. I stand on the shoulders of all the black women who have helped and supported me so that I could write and learn.
OD and HR communities
Organisational Development (OD) and Human Resource (HR) communities in South Africa have been at the forefront of co-constructing new ways of being in the business world since our first democratic election in 1994. They have imagined and co-journeyed with work-communities in transformational processes that facilitate crucial conversations to take us forward. I stand on the shoulders of a gracious, patient and visionary OD and HR community in South Africa which has taught me the language of their work and invited me to bring the Narrative ideas to this field.
Work-communities
As a consultant and coach I have worked in the corporate and community fields, applying Narrative ideas in various contexts. Therefore, every individual, team, community and organisation is a participant, a co-writer and co-author of this book, as we learned together over the past eight years. This book exists because I stand on the shoulders of clients who dared to re-author their narratives on an individual, team, communal and organisational level.
Mining community
For several years I had the privilege of being on a journey with some of the major platinum mining houses in South Africa, and I especially acknowledge the important influence this unique work community has had on what and how I am able to write and see.
These mining communities have made me aware that even though we might smile and seem to get along despite our differences, our s