Herb Stevenson talking about becoming more of who we are and the Paradoxical Theory of Change

On an absolutely beautiful morning, Herb and I were talking at his Pebble Ledge Ranch in Novelty, Ohio. I asked him about the Paradoxical Theory of Change. The concept is from Arnold Beisser, M.D. While the article Beisser wrote was short, just a couple of pages, it has become one of the most cited works in Gestalt Therapy. Simply put it states, “that change occurs when one becomes what she is, not when she tries to become what she is not.”

What does this mean when we are trying to create change in organizations, individuals, or ourselves? It means that it is most effective to start with awareness building. Raising awareness of the current state creates the possibility for change to take place. When we deny parts of ourselves or our organizations, the change we seek is undermined by our own lack of perception. At an individual level, I’ve seen this approach support clients trying to make difficult changes in their lives. It can lift a real burden when we stop trying to be different, and start trying to be more of ourselves or the best us that we can be without denying any part of selves.