Living up to our ideals for ourselves and with others

This picture shows one way of thinking about positive structures. Positive structures affect people as individuals, as members of pairs, in groups and organizations, and in society and the economy as a whole. They can be created – we hope – at each of those levels.   By acting and organizing in specific ways (appreciative, non-coercive, and relationship oriented) people can achieve some highly desirable results. The most important benefits of using positive structures are:

1. For the individual in terms of his/her capabilities to raise and then live up to their aspirations (to “be the change they want to see” in the words of Gandhi)
2. For society as a whole - to create a better social system, that is more appreciative, less coercive, and more collaborative (where more people understand the connection they have with people and the world around them). At the same time, people are free to make the choices they want.