One of the original pioneers of systems change theory, Ronald Lippett has greatly influenced the practice of innovation and change in organizations and in society at large. Professor of Sociology and Psychology at the University of Michigan, Ron Lippitt was an innovator throughout his distinguished career, Professor Lippitt was one of the founders of the ‘T-group’ (sensitivity group), a co-founder of the National Training Center for Group Dynamics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and again later was a co-founder of the University’s Center for Research on the Utilization of Scientific Knowledge at our Institute of Social Research.
His prolific writings — hundreds of chapters, articles and books — were paralleled by his rich contributions to the broader community. Upon retirement in 1974, Professor Lippitt established a non-profit organization, Human Resources Development Associates. Through his writings, workshops, and consultation work, Lippitt was advocate for use of behavioral science to improve the quality of service and productivity within organizations. No concept of the last forty years has been more useful to practitioners of organizational change than that of Preferred Futuring pioneered by Lippitt and and his colleague Ed Lindaman. Lippitt’s clear, detailed change strategy based on this model is a valuable addition to the growing repertoire of alternatives to quick-fix problem solving.
Lippett’s seminal article, “Future Before You Plan” is must reading for anyone interested in how to bring about positive change in organizations. Download a copy of the article here: Future Before Plan.