Action Dialogues: Meaningful Conversations to Accelerate Change (Advances in Developing Human Resources) [Perfect Paperback]

Debbe Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1583760563 | ISBN-13: 978-1583760567 | Publication Date: January 1, 2000 | Edition: 1st

Action Dialogues is a boxed set that includes dialogue book and 52-illustrated issue/wisdom cards. Designed to be a portable dialogue tool in a compact, ready-to-go case, so you can use it anywhere, anytime, any place.
The BOOK provides an introduction to dialogue, a proven process for three kinds of conversations: Exploration on Your Own, One-on-One Conversation, and Small Group Conversation. It provides an innovative approach to help you accelerate organizational change. It brings the powerful process of dialogue, the essential component of involvement, together with a new approach to identify issues standing in the way of progress and achievement. The book serves as a user s guide that includes step-by-step dialogue processes, advice for dialogue leaders, and an inspiration foreword by Frances Hesselbein, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Leader to Leader Institute (Peter F. Drucker Foundation), recounting what we can all learn about dialogue from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The 52 illustrated CARDS (6.5 x 4 ) are grouped into seven areas of organizational influence--leadership, culture, involvement, the business, strategies and measures, staffing, and ownership. The cards name 52 of the most common issues and include corresponding wisdom to consider. They can be passed out in groups of any size to allow participants to literally, put their cards on the table about internal issues they'd rather not bring up aloud. They're not only a brilliant icebreaker for this potent topic but a good first step toward isolating specific areas of strength and weakness within an organization working to put its differences to work to innovate, influence and win.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Meant to be used optimally as a part of Debbe Kennedy's Diversity Breakthrough! Strategic Action series, this is a simple pack of 52 glossy cards, each isolating specific roadblocks that organizations commonly face when looking to launch a diversity initiative. The first, for example, reads, "Our leadership team does not reflect our stated commitment to inclusion." Another reads, "Resistance to change keeps diversity out of reach."

Grouped into seven areas--leadership, culture, involvement, the business, strategies and measures, staffing, and ownership--they can be passed out in groups of any size to allow participants to literally "put their cards on the table" about internal issues they'd rather not bring up aloud. (And, yes, they do come with a brief but useful user's guide with a foreword by the Drucker Foundation's Frances Hesselbein.) They're not only a brilliant icebreaker for this potent topic but a good first step toward isolating specific areas of strength and weakness within an organization when it comes to diversity.

The cards can be used alone or in conjunction with the six booklets in the Strategic Action series, each of which focuses on a crucial phase in what author Kennedy, a veteran consultant and a former manager of Equal Opportunity and human resources at IBM, calls the "imperfect circle" of change: "Assessment," "Acceptance," "Action," "Accountability," "Achievement," and--you guessed it--"More Action." Each booklet comes with self-assessment tools, concrete action strategies to mobilize change, fun and quick action-planning worksheets, and firsthand accounts from leaders at an impressive variety of organizations, from big companies to small nonprofits, that explains how they met the challenge of walking-the-talk with diversity. Each concise, 64-page booklet is as adaptable to an organization-wide initiative or a small group effort as it is to a single individual's nighttime reading and enrichment (where organizational change, after all, often begins).

Managers, consultants, and trainers can use these Action Dialogue cards independently as an assessment tool before launching a diversity initiative or in conjunction with the Strategic Action booklets as add-ons. The cards are really the touchstone in a highly integrated program that demystifies diversity management and accords it the seriousness it deserves. --Timothy Murphy

Review

Debbe Kennedy has given us multiple gifts--first, the gift of her deep experience with diversity work, and second, her creative gifts of presenting these ideas in a way that makes them intriguing and compelling. We have a great need for her work, because until we learn to work together in all our awesome, disturbing, and intriguing diversity, we will not be able to create organizations that can dance through these turbulent days. -- Margaret J. Wheatley, Author, Leadership and the New Science and Coauthor, A Simpler Way
Diversity Breakthrough! makes diversity a topic that is at last approachable for everyone-an opportunity to learn and grow. It makes you want to get involved. -- Debby McIsaac, Global People Development Manager, Hewlett-Packard Consulting, Letter to Publisher, November 1999
Hard hitting, pragmatic approaches, supported by well selected stories, all reinforcing the Perpetual Cycle of Action model that Kennedy has built. Diversity Breakthrough! is truly a treasure of yet undiscovered proportions. Sharp. Pragmatic. Immediately useful, forever valuable. -- Lane Michel, Partner, Director of Western Region Peppers and Rogers Group, Marketing 1 to 1, Inc., Letter to Publisher, October 1999
I took a tour of Debbe Kennedy's new work one evening, and was immediately (the next day) able to utilize her tools with a client. And, I was a hero! Her package is superb and moves (even the most sophisticated) into deep dialogue. Any organization launching a diversity effort, or in the midst of one, must press the pause button and check this out! Debbe Kennedy provides both insight and action for any practioner at any size company with the topic of diversity on their plate! A perfect set of interventions for the beginner or the skilled professional." -- Beverly Kaye, President, Career Systems International, Inc., Letter to Publisher, January 24, 2000
Once in a great while, someone comes up with a truly unique approach to human relationships. Debbe Kennedy is that someone. Her approach to diversity is the most innovative, insightful, practical, helpful set of concepts and tools I've seen in a very long time. Diversity Breakthrough is destined to become a 'classic. -- Barbara Hateley, Co-Author, Peacock in the Land of Penguins:A Tale of Diversity and Discovery; Letter to Publisher, October 1999
Outstanding! Debbe Kennedy performs a on the myriad of action management technologies and comes up with the bare essentials that are tried and true. The author reduces years of management experiences to simple common denominators that can be read and appreciated in a short time period. I had a sense the author had been there, herself. This, more than any other one factor, influenced my acceptance of her methods. Her message: individuality, simplicity and diversity are virtues to be treasured because they lead to innovation. -- Irving W. DeVoe, Ph.D., Chief Scientist and Vice-Chairman, MR3 Systems, Inc., Letter February 2000
The topic of diversity has been an ongoing challenge to every element of modern society. Debbe Kennedy has taken on this challenge and produced a process which, I think, does the best job of generating action and growth toward understanding diversity and utilizing its extraordinary advantages. Particularly important is the powerful and novel set of activities and exercises that draws in everyone and enables them to climb to a new plateau of understanding. Joel A. Barker, Futurist and Author Discovering the Future: The Business of Paradigms; Letter to Publisher, November 1999 --Joel A. Barker, Futurist and Author Discovering the Future: The Business of Paradigms; Letter to Publisher, November 1999

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 84 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers; 1st edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583760563
• ISBN-13: 978-1583760567
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,764,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My newest book, Putting Our Differences to Work: The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance is a **2010 Axion Business Book Award Winner** - BRONZE | Human Resources and Employee Training. I'm also the author of ACTION DIALOGUES: Meaningful Conversations to Accelerate Change (Portable boxed book/cards)

My life and work has included a mix of fortunate twists and turns and some undeniably great opportunities for which I remain grateful. By worldly standards, this all opened the way for me becoming an author, and founder, president, and CEO of the Leadership Solutions Companies, an award-winning woman-owned enterprise since 1990, specializing in custom leadership, organizational, and virtual communications solutions.

It's been an interesting journey. Here are a few highlights that have made it rewarding...

* One of my passions has been becoming pioneer and innovator of people-focused leadership-employee communications in virtual space, including creative uses of Web 2.0 technologies, and other social media. This was a differentiator in our work and growth as a company.

* Formerly, I had a distinguished leadership career with IBM Corporation for over than twenty years, which gave me a solid value-based foundation for the work that has followed way beyond what I ever imagined. It was a memorable 1st career filled with opportunity and promise.

* I remain deeply grateful that Frances Hesselbein, author, president and ceo of Leader to Leader Institute (formerly Peter F. Drucker Foundation), who has been my mentor, teacher, role model, and friend since I was a young leader with IBM. My book, Putting Our Differences to Work, includes insights and stories from my treasure-chest of lessons learned from her. Visit the Knowledge Gallery at the Global Dialogue Center to listen to my interview with her: http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/exhibits/frances/index.shtml

* My newest book, Putting Our Differences to Work: The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance (Berrett-Koehler 2008)is one am very proud to share. It is both a personal and practical guide for leaders and innovators at every level. It changes the prevailing rules of how to think, behave, and operate in the twenty-first century. Most of all, it has great real-life, first person stories and practical tools, processes and tips to apply what you learn. I see it filled with highlights, post-its, underlines as a reference for anyone wanting to lead at any level.

* HONORS: My work and newest book are featured in futurist Joel Barker's 2009 film, "Innovation at the Verge." Joel wrote the foreword for my book and we also collaborated on two chapters in the book on INNOVATING at the verge. What I didn't expect is that Joel also surprised me by creating a special VIDEO BOOK PRIMER about the my book, because he wanted to tell more about it than his film allowed. SEE BELOW. Joel talks more specifically about the value of the book to leaders and innovators in the twenty-first century, gives a mini-innovation lesson, and takes you on a personal tour inside the book. SEE THE VIDEO BOOK PRIMER BELOW my picture.

* EXPANDING MY GLOBAL REACH...
In 2004, I founded Leadership Solutions Companies' first online entity, the Global Dialogue Center (GDC). This distinctive virtual gathering place for people throughout the world has an intentional focus on leadership, professional, and personal development. It has been an expression of passion for the value of social media in connecting us around the world. The Global Dialogue Center is built on the belief that by thinking, questioning, exploring ideas, and talking with one another, we can become better leaders in our organizations, communities, and in our families --- creating a better world.

Our company commitment to expand opportunities for inclusion throughout the world was the inspiration behind the Global Dialogue Center's 2005 addition of Women in the Lead, a unique resource center for women. In 2006, GDC again expanded its offerings to include the Global Dialogue Center Online CONFERENCE CENTER, providing an array of opportunities for conversation, creative problem-solving, professional development, and INNOVATION in virtual space.

Follow me on...
Facebook: http://profile.to/debbekennedy/
Linked-In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/debbekennedy
Twitter: @debbekennedy and @onlinedialogues

Learn more...
http://www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com/about-debbe.html
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com

Contact me...
http://www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com/email-us.html

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Debbe Kennedy continues producing tools that work!, January 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Action Dialogues: Meaningful Conversations to Accelerate Change (Advances in Developing Human Resources) (Perfect Paperback)

I found this tool -- not just a book -- to be useful far beyond bringing diversity and leadership to the workplace. The structure is straightforward. The knowledge and process to unlock talent in my company got my interest. The results made me a believer. Leadership is demonstrated from a diversity of perspectives. Thank God for authors and leaders like Debbe Kennedy, Joel Barker and Francis Husselbein for cutting through the rhetoric and giving us real help.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So much more than a book!, February 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Action Dialogues: Meaningful Conversations to Accelerate Change (Advances in Developing Human Resources) (Perfect Paperback)

Debbe Kennedy's newly released "Action Dialogues" is a BREAKTHROUGH in and of itself. I say this because I feel that Debbe has broken new ground and is helping to shape the future of how we will use books as tools, not just as repositories of ideas. It is so much more than a book. It is a Tool, Reference, a source of Inspiration and a Catalyst for change in organizations, not to mention that the process laid out is customizable, flexible, accessible, fun and action-oriented. The cards themselves are amazing - they convey the spirit of diversity and inclusion through their simple design and powerful use of graphics and quotes. The categories(leadership, culture, involvement, staffing & development, strategies & measures and business) listed on the bottom corner of each card let you perform a quick assessment of where the balance of your issues reside. My initial use of the tool confirmed my gut-feel --- and helped me craft the key message that I wanted to share with our leadership team. I was able to communicate what was working, what wasn't working and what we could do about it!

When I first opened the box and began working with the book and the companion card deck, I instantly felt empowered to take action. I have now used "Action Dialogues" to prepare for and execute a dialogue with a small group of leaders focused on a key culture change project. In addition to testing this powerful new tool in the corporate setting, I have also found it to be a great way to open conversations in both non-profit and public sector environments. In one instance, a particular card and the associated issu and quote really hit a nerve with a collegue who works for a city in Northern California. We used that one issue to build around it a focused dialogue session. There are no complex theories that need to be grasped or detailed preparation. If you have a issue that needs to be discussed and you have been putting it off because you don't feel comfortable facilitating the necessary dialogue - don't wait. Buy this book. It will take you by the hand and show you step by step how to be successful and get busy changing the world!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's Get to Work!, February 2, 2000

By 

Marta Gomez (Ashland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Action Dialogues: Meaningful Conversations to Accelerate Change (Advances in Developing Human Resources) (Perfect Paperback)

You don't need more meetings or brainstorming sessions to identify what needs to be done and what the issues are. Leaders of the future need to enable themselves and their teams to work successfully among people with differences. Debbe Kennedy has heard it all, collected the best ideas and solutions, and has prepared this easy to use and understand tool kit. It allows you to get to work, start talking and build a deeper understanding of people. Most managers and human resource professionals do not know how to tackle the subject of diversity and inclusion and let their own sensitivities and lack of knowledge and experience get in the way. The Action Dialogues will more than get you started and keep you talking and thinking and doing.