Embracing sustainability or change by stealth

Heywood, Ann

Abstract

ABSTRACT
EMBRACING SUSTAINABILITY or CHANGE BY STEALTH
One cannot change the system within which one operates without changing
oneself in the process (Revans. 1980). Starting my Action Learning journey
with myself, and my life as interpreted through Transactional Analysis, was
thus a deliberate and essential part of my research methodology. Using a
morality tale of my life so far as a chronological and descriptive thread, I
chart the progress of my self and my practice in leading the sustainability
initiative for a large group of engineers operating throughout the UK. This
change initiative required an exploration of change itself, of my part in the
process and the development of appropriate internal client-facing skills very
different from those employed in an earlier life, when I managed a
consultancy practice based on personal expertise. As a Consultant, I
occupied a unique role for the organisation, being of it, but not within it.
My thesis describes the complex learning and challenges of my practice, and
allows me to stand back from my work and take a more dispassionate view,
through the morality tale, and the use of metaphors and other exploratory
devices.
My practice centres on the people side of the people, places and pounds
sustainability triangle; in particular, the way people behave and are treated
in the workplace and the role of games playing and unhealthy relationships
on quality of life.
Some of the technical aspects of sustainability, as they relate to the
construction and development industry, are described.
My thesis has three main themes: me and my personal change; the global
drive for sustainability which drives the changes in organisations and the
ways in which these changes have operated, sometimes in concert,
sometimes in opposition, to move me further towards my objectives of
organisational sustainability and self-actualisation.

Citation

Heywood, A. Embracing sustainability or change by stealth. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2003