Editorial

Citation

Wing, L.S. (1999), "Editorial", Participation and Empowerment: An International Journal, Vol. 7 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/pe.1999.11807aaa.001

Editorial

Well, here we are in the 1999, and there is a lot of attention on the beginning of the new millennium, and a lot of contention around when the new millennium actually will begin or began.

While many minds are focused on the calendar and the excitement of turning over to a new century, I find the thoughts of organization leaders more intently focused on their ever increasing global competitive pressures and how to create organizations which allow the optimum of effectiveness and efficiency.

Those of us interested in bringing to light discussions of empowerment are also interested in how to include more of you in the conversation concerning the optimum utilization of "people" in pursuit of organization, societal and/or personal visions and objectives. Because we wish to broaden our focus to include as many possibilities as are possible in the development, capacity and growth of people, we have re-launched the journal as Participation and Empowerment: An International Journal.

This new title encourages a broadening of empowerment discussions to include those related to empowerment that might occur outside of traditional organizations. The broader focus allows us to encourage authors to write on notions of participation and empowerment which fall outside the arena of the traditional organization to include issues of personal empowerment, empowerment and participation in the arenas of social change, how organizations are empowering individuals to optimize their personal visions and missions of self-actualization, etc. as a few examples.

In this issue, we have John Burdett writing an informative and challenging article entitled "Leadership in change and the wisdom of a gentleman". In this article, the author explores what I would call a heritage of courage and capability to manage change we hold as individuals. Our history is full of concrete examples. Yet, we trouble ourselves by believing that people resist change. He suggests that through learning and commitment, we focus on creating an understanding and through this understanding, individuals will create the modifications necessary to achieve good outcomes. The timely and sage message he carries through his writing highlights the firm ground of individual capability and personal leadership on which we can stand, and that the understanding which many leaders are attempting to have us believe (people resist change) is self-serving and manipulative. John Burdett asks us to have another look.

Lisa Martin-Crawford is a health professional, and writes about the importance of "Empowerment in healthcare". The article highlights the importance of preparing healthcare workers through the entire healthcare system to be engaged fully in serving their clients, and creating the systems, processes, education and other preparatory actions which create the optimum in service on behalf of the client's quality of life. She takes us through the numerous actions leadership must consider when moving to an environment of empowerment. Complexity of the healthcare system is addressed through those numerous action steps described.

As we move through 1999, we will continue to offer a wide variety of writings that deal with the complexity and excitement around participation and empowerment. To help us in that endeavor, we are pleased to announce several new Editorial Advisory Board members who have joined Participation and Empowerment.

Dr Linda Honold of Milwaukee, Wisconsin has just completed her doctorate at the Fielding Institute of Santa Barbara, California. Linda is widely read in the literature of empowerment and praxis, and her consulting practice aids organizations that are attempting to integrate inclusive and empowered practices into their business practices and operations. Welcome aboard, Linda.

Dr Michael Welp of Minneapolis, Minnesota is a principal in the consulting practice of "equal voice". Dr Welp's practice includes working with leaders to create experiences that allow them to understand diversity and difference at a very deep level. His work enriches empowerment of individuals through deep understanding of difference and diversity, and how difference and diversity can create an exciting and vital human environment ... personally and professionally.

Throughout the year, we shall be adding other professional academicians and practitioners to our Editorial Advisory Board to broaden the wisdom and breadth of the topic of empowerment in each issue.

We are pleased to have you along on the empowerment journey with us, and welcome your comments and suggestions.

Linda S. WingE-mail: lwing@usinternet.com