New trends in sensitivity training

Abstract

Sensitivity Training (ST) is a process through which an individual explores the journey of human existence to ask some basic questions about life, relationships, interface across many roles, and purpose of one's own life. ST has many forms; each form has its own philosophies. This paper traces the historical roots of ST in the West and the developments and innovations in its applications in India. The Indian and Western forms of ST differ in the content, process, and the underlying philosophies. This paper compares the two perspectives of ST with the differences in application in organizations. The Role and Identity Approach (RIA) can be applied in organizations through unstructured sensitivity training labs, semi-structured labs, and structured workshops. Unstructured labs are those that are called as personal growth labs, explorations in roles and identity, interpersonal labs and so on. Semi-structured labs include interface labs, leadership labs, self-renewal labs, and visioning and co-creating labs. Structured workshops address managerial and leadership roles, team building and building a cross-functional team, integrating emotional intelligence across multiple roles and systems, managing cross-cultural diversity, interpersonal and group dynamics, and dynamic equilibrium between personal and professional lives.