Sensemaking Research Paper

Do experiences matter? How can I understand what this means? Why is this relevant to me? These are all questions the theory of sensemaking pursues to address. The process of sensemaking works in many areas of life however the theory of sensemaking excels in organizations (Stringer, 1994). Understanding what sensemaking is allows for organizations to understand how it applies to daily life. The theory of sensemaking applies to managers and will increase operations and daily duties within organizations when understood and applied correctly.

The idea of sensemaking literally attempts to make sense of what is occurring (Stringer, 1994). This theory plays many roles in organizational structures and can allow a more interrelated understanding to

These include but are not limited to stress relief, crisis liberation, improving lines of communication and improving employee motivation and synchronizing goals. Better handling corporate stress is an area that the theory of sensemaking seeks to relieve. However, applying this theory to organizations on a daily basis is much more beneficial. Sensemaking subsists in day-to-day organizations. Employees use sensemaking in understanding tasks, environment and regulations of their organization. Utilizing the sensemaking method helps increase effectiveness of employee motivation and engagement (Dubravka, 2004). In organizations understanding meaning determines our ability to make decisions. Most often applied when turmoil arises, sensemaking typically applies to organizations to understand doubt and missing data (Dougherty, 2006). The sensemaking process allows for transparency within organizations and more effective judgment when dealing with employee conduct, corporate pressure and overall more consistency within the decision making process (Thiel, 2012). Managers can relay information on insights they learn with other employees and departments (Parry, 2003), thus allowing for better handling of crisis situations. During a crisis that puts an organization in jeopardy, the requirement for sensemaking is extraordinary. Sensemaking practices can allow organizational communication channels to be clear and responsive

Although there are several approaches to making decisions, the decision making process within organizations should be evaluated and seen as a learning opportunity to improve and reach unified goals (Zhichang, 1999). The sensemaking theory can really help achieve more unified goals and improve organizational success. Sensemaking allows managers to organize analyses and operate on a more cohesive level of leadership. Being more interrelated with employees and better resolving conflicts are some of the outcomes when properly applied principles of sensemaking occur (Leigh, 2014). Leaders should be interpreted as trustworthy accountable individuals who direct and guide organizations through example (Wart, 2014). The theory of sensmaking enhances leaders capabilities to lead through demonstration and increases accountability as the theory is practiced. Employees can then easily follow direction and use the sensmaking process to evaluate