Critical Reflection as a Response to Organizational Disruption

Abstract

The Problem and the Solution. Organizations going through radical change seem to invite questioning of their fundamental assumptions, values, and beliefs as a step toward achieving deep change. Yet little is known about whether or not such questioning actually takes place, how it can be facilitated, and what conditions are needed to support it This study, in a Baby Bell company that was undergoing divestiture, found that some employees did think critically and that this sometimes led to dilemmas, "punishments," and challenges to the organiza tion's leadership Strategies that helped employees develop critically reflective thinking included exposure to different perspectives, liberal arts courses, open ended assignments, modeling, encouragement of questioning, honest feedback, and participation in policymaking and policy implementation