Comments from Jeff Snipes

Core principles of learning in turbulent times from Jeff Snipes of PDI Nineth House shared during the Day of Learning 2008 included:

• Open Communication and Inclusion (appreciative inquiry is one method of doing this)
• Employee engagement (invite participation)
• Fiscal discipline and innovation (use technology in a heart based way)
• Organizational alignment

Jeff’s recommendation’s included:

• Find models in the organization of the leadership behavior. Then market it so it becomes pervasive and apart of the culture.
• Take ownership and engage yourself.
• Maximize sustainable aspects of the culture and process.

In conclusion one of the key ideas Jeff shared was that of the Burning Barn Syndrome. In short this syndrome in organizations is analogous with horses that are in a burning barn. They refuse to leave the barn as it burns. They are simply paralyzed by the fire around them unable to think and take action to save themselves and others. If led with a blanket on over their eyes the horse can walk to safety. Change at different levels of the organization is essential for survival.