Please join The Writers’ Exchange in congratulating Stacey Guenther in the successful completion of her dissertation:
From Me to We: A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Group Beingness
I explored group beingness through a phenomenological inquiry into coherence. Through coherence, group members experience heightened connectedness marked by quieting, slowing, and calming of the group climate, activation of an enlivened intersubjective field, and calling forth for members’ best selves resulting in an acceptance and celebration of differences among members.
WEX is always interested in learning from successful writers about their process. Here, Dr. Stacey Guenther shares a few pointers:
What advice would you give to others writing a dissertation?
Big picture, I found that it was important for me to enjoy what I was doing, to really be in it instead of solely focused on the endgame, and to learn and grow at every stage of the process. Specific advice is the following: 1. Find a support system, whether it’s classmates or a group of other PhD candidates in a professional organization or the like, to engage with throughout your candidacy. I was part of a small group that met regularly, several times a week, to write together. That was invaluable to me! 2. Really consider relationships when it comes to your committee and to other experts you are working with during your process, and 3. Ask for help, and using WEX is a great way to get help. I was grateful for WEX’s expertise when I did the pre-defense editing package. And it absolutely saved me time on the other end before publishing.
What are your next steps in your academic/professional career?
I am continuing my work as a leadership coach (PCC) and consultant through my firm, Awakened Impact. Additionally, I am really focused this year post-dissertation on publishing articles and perhaps writing a book.