Phase model in practice 

Ir. Paul van Ham (MSc) – Innovation cooperation

Paul van Ham: The developmental phases you describe in your book 'Spiritual development of people and organisations' are a true insight. Once it all clicked for me, I began to see that other people are also going through a process of development, one that exhibits a certain consistency. I recognise myself as a human being somewhere within that development. That gives me comfort and the courage to go on.

I've also noticed not everybody sees it this way. That makes my insight the type of 'particular idea in which I believe but you don't'. People are rarely curious and ask me to tell them more about it.

Ever since I first saw you draw the scheme during a training session, I have been recognising the phases in everything, and every day. Sometimes in something personal, often in my work and also in the world around us, in the news on TV or in the newspapers. To tell you the truth, I really have stopped doubting its validity.

Personal

For me, the insight that I've gained thanks to the phase model is a point of comfort in all the confusion I am personally going through in phase 4. I am not crazy, I am not sick, I am merely transforming. The confusion that it causes is difficult and exhausting, but I can bear it because I realise that others are going through it, too. Transformation, inner growth and change is 'merely' another step in your development as a human being, and many others will still follow. I like to say: “it's like a video game; you've just reached the next level.”

Reflecting on your own actions and thoughts is the principal driving force, or, as Theo Compernolle calls it: the ultimate terms of employment for a Brain Worker.

That is why I make so much use of the reflection process described in your book 'Spiritual development of people and organisations', both in my personal life and in my work.

Organisations

I also recognise the phases of the model in the organisations for which I've worked.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, for which I first worked, was originally a phase-2 organisation with a clear collective goal. It made the switch to a more professionally oriented organisation with many specialists (phase 3). Then the ministry got under fire for its one-sided agricultural policy. Thus it was forced to integrate the policy aims it had forgotten: environment, nature, health. This was in fact the first step towards phase 4 and in a way also to phase 5 (values and principles).

What is interesting is that since then many of its employees have gone through a comparable change personally. An increasing number of them wanted 'something else' after having been a specialist for a time. They looked for another position within the Ministry, went to work for a smaller institution (preferably one with an idealistic set of goals) or started their own. These changes were accompanied by the birth of a culture in their organisations in which a strong regard for the personal development of the employees came into being.

The next organisation I worked for – a research firm specialising in agriculture, food and health – was originally a pioneering organisation showing all the symptoms of phase 2. There was still very little specialisation going on. Everyone could still be asked to do any kind of job. It was controlled by an ideal, not by people. There was little procedural attention for employees or finances. Wages were highly egalitarian. It had the feel of a family business with a family board at the helm. There was a strong sense of responsibility towards the world.

However, there was no room for a healthy sense of self-interest, which therefore remained unexpressed.

During an extensive reorganisation that brought about big changes, especially in the personal field, the structure of this organisation became more business-like and management systems for finances and staff were designed and implemented. Thus they clearly entered phase 3.

I left and founded my own bureau: Paul van Ham Innovation cooperation. Here I combine meaningful renewal in relation to sustainability, the environment, healthcare and cooperation processes between people.

Please have a look at my websites: www.innovatiecooperatie.com and www.multitooltrac.com

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