The Will of Many, a tremendous force for true change

We have mentioned on many occasions that the value that Madavi the YES Company brings is a simple and powerful advantage: ensuring that crucial goals and decisions, whose success depends on the will of many, can be achieved quickly, effectively and inspirationally. And we do this by using a disruptive methodology, which we call: Change the way we change. Easy, fast and scalable so that it also reaches large systems and so that it lasts over time.

One of the main tools of our methodology, but not the only one, is, as you know, Appreciative Inquiry, AI, that is, identifying and amplifying the best aspects of an organization or community. Instead of focusing on problems and deficiencies, AI seeks to discover the factors that contribute to success and vitality, appreciating the best of what already exists: capabilities, connections, resources and possibilities. Everything that we DO have and that gives us success. And in this way, Madavi acts on business and on culture.

The business culture should be understood as a living phenomenon that manifests itself in the daily interaction of employees, in the way decisions are made and how challenges are faced. It’s not just a mission statement posted on the wall or a set of values written in the employee handbook.

Indeed, in this post, we’re going to delve into the transformative synergy that exists between Appreciative Inquiry and the Will of Many. The relationship between these two concepts is not only complementary but also synergistic, since, working hand in hand, they enhance the ability of organizations to successfully make crucial decisions.

The Will of Many, the collective power

The Will of Many refers to the collective power of a group of people to influence and make decisions that affect the community or organization as a whole. This will is manifested through active participation, consensus and collaborative action. The central premise is that decisions and actions which involve a greater number of people tend to be more inclusive, sustainable and representative of common interests.

Thus, there is no doubt that the Will of Many is a tremendous force for change. When employees share a common desire to improve their work environment and unite around shared business goals and values, they trigger meaningful transformation.

A notable example is the cultural transformation of the technology company IBM in the 1990s. In a period of crisis, the company went from being a hierarchical and bureaucratic organization to a more agile, customer-focused one. This change was not only driven by senior management, but also involved employees at all levels who embraced and promoted the new values of innovation and collaboration.

Another example is the transportation company Southwest Airlines, which has maintained a strong and positive culture over the years thanks to the active commitment of its employees. The company fosters an environment in which employees feel valued and motivated to contribute to the corporate mission.

Let’s now imagine the power of coming together: that is to say, focusing on the collective strengths and aspirations, involving all members of the community or organization. This is the pillar on which our ‘Change the way we change’ methodology is based. By working conjointly with AI and the Will of Many, a synergy is created that enhances the ability to build that more prosperous and sustainable future to which everyone aspires. In a world where collaboration and inclusion are increasingly essential, the integration of these approaches offers a very powerful transformative path.

The synergy between Appreciative Inquiry and the Will of Many

In fact, the relationship between Appreciative Inquiry and the Will of Many is intrinsically complementary. AI provides a framework for exploring existing strengths and building on them, while the Will of Many ensures that this process is inclusive and participatory. Together, these approaches transform organizations, culture and business in a way that is easy, fast and scalable, and what’s more, the change sticks. Let’s look at some of the effects:

• Inclusive participation: AI promotes the participation of all members of the community or organization, ensuring that everyone’s voices are heard and valued. This inclusion is essential in order to mobilize the Will of Many, since people feel more committed and motivated when their opinions and contributions are recognized.
• Building a common future: By collectively dreaming of a better future and jointly designing the strategies to achieve it, a sense of shared ownership and responsibility is fostered, which is key to collective change.
• Positive energy and motivation: By focusing on the positive and the possibilities, AI and the Will of Many generate constructive energy that catalyzes collective action. This energy of many creates a powerful momentum for change, overcoming the resistance and obstacles often found in transformation processes.
• Sustainability: Decisions made in a process which is inclusive, via the Will of Many, and also appreciative, are more sustainable over time, since they are born from shared commitment and collective action.

Let’s imagine, for example, an organization facing the need to restructure. Appreciative Inquiry can help identify key competencies and past successes, while the Will of Many ensures the process is participatory, reducing resistance and increasing the commitment to the changes. Another example: In innovation initiatives, the combination of AI and the Will of Many generates a continuous flow of positive ideas and creative solutions, maintaining an atmosphere of continuous improvement and adaptation.

Therefore, going back to the start, the challenge is: How do we ensure that the objectives and crucial decisions whose success depends on the will of many are achieved quickly, effectively and inspirationally?

At Madavi The YES company we have been doing this for many years, with excellent results, in companies such as Eroski, redeia, Massimo Dutti, Fnac, TROPS, Welleda, Danone… SEE CASE STUDIES.