Luc Verheijen
Belgium
When people change, systems change
The common denominator of everything I do is connecting people with the systems they are part of. When people change, systems change, creating richer, more beautiful and productive working environments and communities.
At the moment, there are three focal points in my work: strength-based development, working with large groups and developing leaders towards their full potential.
By searching for the inherent strengths and capabilities of people and systems, I get to the heart of the matter quickly. This is where I lay my foundation for further development.
I enjoy working with large groups (Large Group Interventions), especially when they comprise a diverse range of perspectives and interests. Stimulating forms of high quality interaction in a large group can accelerate change. This requires careful preparation and direction, in cooperation with the process facilitators. Such careful preparation allows for complete freedom for content and process development.
Developing leadership is very important to me. I have often seen that leaders can really make a change for the better in the organisation they are responsible for.
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a huge inspiration for my work. In recent years, we have worked in close partnership with Cooperrider and Fry to develop and take their approach further towards an European context. In doing that we focus strongly on social development. We are creating a learning network of nearly one hundred people from sixty organisations (profit and non-profit) with the shared aim of using AI to effect a change and of establishing appreciative practices in their organisations. This may, for instance, result in redesigning HR processes, taking on social projects and developing alternative roles for leaders.
As a member of the Develop editorial staff (quarterly HRD journal) and author of several publications, I contribute to the development of my field of work and help to push back its boundaries.