Page 176 - Appreciative Leadership

The Courage of Inspiration 149

what they call a “consciousness organization.” In so doing, they
elevated the work, the lives, and the legacy of hundreds of people
working in K & Company. It began when they met. Ashwani,
a self-made man who had been ridiculed by school friends for
his family’s involvement in the lottery business, told Dinesh of
his passion for the environment. He wanted to become known
as “Mr. Tree.” His dream was to create an organization in which
people were motivated to work not just because they needed to
but because they were learning, growing, and contributing to
something meaningful—planting and caring for trees through-
out the city.
Ashwani and Dinesh aligned their strengths to create an
inspired work community: an interdependent group of people
whose love and service for the environment would enrich their
own lives, help the environment, and further the economic friend-
liness of the business. They engaged employees in an active learn-

ing process aimed at transforming compliance into creativity.

“The results,” in Dinesh’s words, “have been tremendous.
Offi ce boys (peons as they are called in the local lingua) began
taking on more meaningful jobs: filing, answering the phone

and talking with customers, faxing, and learning about and

using computers. They have enjoyed this work and their self-
esteem has increased. Along with company drivers, they have
planted and cared for trees along the roadsides and in local parks,
further instilling in them a sense of belonging and love for the
environment.” And the business is going strong.

People long to be inspired—by the possibility of high ideals, by

learning, by the selfless dedication of other people, and by moments
of collaboration that make a positive diff erence. They want to be part

of a team, work group, organization, or community whose elevated
purpose calls them to apply their strengths and to give their best. Th ey

want their work to be enchanting. They want it to invite them into a
world of wonder, learning, and meaningful contribution.