Organizational health is possible if the organization has integrated an organic metaphor. Too many organizations espouse an organic metaphor but live as if they are inorganic; their metaphors are war-sports [we meld these two into one in our culture in the U.S.], or they are mechanical metaphors [left over from the industrial age] or they are banking metaphors [our current major metaphor where people are assets, commodities or resources, for example].
Healthy organizations, it seem to me, are those which exist for others, not for themselves. Show me a business, a school or a church that is focused on those it serves as well as on those who are doing the serving while they are determined to serve with distinction while being high achieving, and are motivated by deep care for human beings and who serve a purpose beyond themselves and more often then not this organization will be a healthy one. They are fun to be part of, they make sure all diverse personalities and gifts are honored, allowed to flourish, growth-supported, and utilized; people are encouraged and supported for who they are, for expressing themselves, and for their growth and development.
Each of us need a purpose beyond ourselves in order to develop and to the ‘best selves’ we can be. When we lose sight of this we commit, says St. Augustine, the most destructive of sins. Yet it is easy to become fascinated by who we are and forget why we are here. I remember the story of a government minister who was being shown around a new school and the minister told the principal how impressed he was. The principal paused and replied that the minister should have seen the school before the students arrived; it was really something then.
I believe that most organizations could do with a great deal more care, love, forgiveness, healing, faith in and belief in others, improved relationships which feed the tap root of trust. They could, in effect, become healthier than they are.
Searcher-Seeker 