Why focusing on our strengths matters: reflections on leaving a volunteer role I actually liked

Abstract

Abstract In this article I describe the recent process of leaving a volunteer role that had, over a number of years, brought me much joy and satisfaction. This process of leaving gave me the opportunity to reflect on the kinds of organisational cultures that may work best in supporting volunteers and paid staff, as well as organisations themselves, to flourish. Through my journey of leaving, I describe the value of asset based approaches, and caring for people for who they are, not de-valuing them for who they are not, as part of creating constructive and positive outcome oriented organisations.