When an organization ‘notices’ what it already has

[Rituu B. Nanda]

On 24th March 2026 when the Dhagagia Social Welfare Society (DSWS), India staff came together for a SALT conversation on Zoom, the first thing that struck me was that DSWS is a caring organization that holds a space the staff cherishes. For instance, Saloni said, how much she likes being in the organization, they have a lot of fun working together. Hriday da head of DSWS is a great listener and very grounded who encourages the staff to speak and share.

As the DSWS staff reflected on the stories that were shared in the meeting, I discovered that each person had a lot to offer. We don’t need to educate people on leadership. It exists, we need to uncover it. Joy felt proud of how he had helped others.

Power of appreciation- Jayshree found that appreciation during the SALT conversation grew her confidence and opened a possibility she had not seen before: if others can do it, so can I. Nazia said her respect for her colleagues increased. Hriday da named strong acceptance and adjustment, a quality that carries enormous value Priti said: "How far we have come. I am also resilient. We did not quit."

Appreciation changes how we listen-The staff also noted that when we start from the lens of appreciation, we  listen more carefully. Rohit said: "When we listen to how the other person faced a challenging situation which is different from mine, I found this valuable." Saurav said: "When we listen to how others have struggled, we realise that others have done much more." 

Intrinsic motivation to act- Much of organizational development has been shaped by the language of gaps and deficits. What is missing, what needs fixing, what has to be built.. When we act from a SALT mindset of appreciation, listening and learning from others with humility it energizes us as mentioned by many in the meeting.  Saurav Ghosh said: "These conversations inspire us and give us energy." Sujata observed that SALT conversations help in self-motivation. Priti said: "SALT is a simple framework. We can bring changes in our org and work." When people realize what they have, they can use their strengths more deliberately.  

Collective exploration I realized the importance of facilitating personal sensing to shared understanding -collective became visible that had not been visible before. Praveen Kumar reflected, "I used to think that the struggle I went through to reach where I am today was perhaps the most and the hardest anyone could face. But after hearing my teammates' struggles, I realized that my struggle is nothing. People have come back from even bigger, greater struggles than mine. So my confidence also grew." Rohit said: "We understand now what is behind the success of others." Saurav Chatterjee said the purpose is "to change yourself over time and do something for people”. Such conversations in which people see themselves and each other clearly, perhaps for the first time. We listen from a place so open that what we hear actually changes us.  I quote from where  Corine Jansen discourages us to listen without any preconceived ideas "... I’d call the pre-structure of a conversation, the expectations, agendas, and self-referential noise we bring before a word is spoken. Levinas calls it the temptation to reduce the other to what I already know, what I can use, what confirms my world."

If organizations make room for such conversations?

Acknoweldgement- my team mate Shristi Joshi has been using this word 'noticing' what we did not pay attention to before.

[Brinty Saha]

When I started SALT, I learnt how appreciation can play a great role of increasing someone's confidence level. I helped to see someone's unseen within the seen.

[Shahrukh Atpade]

This experience shows that SALT dialogue is not just a discussion, but a powerful process that builds leadership, confidence and mutual respect among people.
Through appreciation, listening and collective learning, an organization can become more responsive, capable and inspiring. The relationship as an employee is better and more deeply connected because of SALT. I have also experienced these things as an employee. When SALT came into my life, I started talking to employees better. Before, I used to talk to everyone only for work. SALT works to build an unbreakable relationship.