Post 12

Wenger describes three types of new belonging: engagement, imagination, and alignment.

Engagement can be understood as the development of interpersonal skills within the new work environment. Imagination is the act of transcending the reality of the new environment, or trying to view the broader system as a whole. Alignment, finally, is the act of negotiating perspectives amongst members.

For example, engagement could include any interactivity amongst the newcomer and present staff. It could include attending employee training, outlining new goals and projects, or any other activity that forms an interpersonal community. Imagination is great for imagining yourself within the broader scheme of things. What do you do for a living? What does your company do for your community? How does this impact society? This is your way of connecting yourself to the broader picture. Alignment is the coming together of engagement and imagination. Where is the company headed? What is the vision? These three factors are very important for a newcomer to understand in order to define themselves in the new environment.

Within the environment I've chosen, as a server, all newcomers must go through these processes. Initially, the engagement, or training period. Second, the imagination process and how they fit into the bigger picture of the greater whole, or where they stand as a team member within the staffing environment. Finally, with alignment, how they must progress with the goals and changes of the organization. Not only do they have to understand the greater whole of the organization, but their smaller individual role as a worker and their relations with other members.