SUULE 2009 System Thinking

Beginning with Systems Our congregations are a human emotional systems

Ludwig von Bertalanffy Systems theory was proposed in the 1940's by the biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy. A trans-discipline theory.

“General system theory, therefore, is a general science of wholeness… The meaning of the somewhat mystical expression, ‘The whole is more than the sum of its parts’ is simply that constitutive characteristics are not explainable from the characteristics of the isolated parts…” - Ludwig von Bertalanffy

Family Systems Thinking Systems Theory applied to emotional systems Dr. Murray Bowen –Family therapist –“Science of the family.” Rabbi Dr. Edwin H. Friedman –“Generation to Generation” –“Reinventing Leadership” –“A Failure of Nerve”

Systems Thinking To think “System” is to think in a unique way. Interrelationships exist among discrete parts. Things do not exist independently, only in relationship to something else.

Systems Thinking Whole cannot be understood by simply understanding each part. Things only function as they do because of the presence of one another.

Systems Thinking »S -elf Differentiation »H -omeostasis »I -dentified Patient »F -amily Field »T -riangulation

Self-Differentiation The ability of a individual to remain an individual and still connected to others within an emotional system Maturity Not catching or spreading anxiety Not taking things personally

To be in the system - but not of the system.

Homeostasis The reality that the system has more effect on the parts than the parts do on the system. We will bounce back to the same old rut every time. The more things change the more they stay the same. We like things just the way they are - even if we say we don’t.

Homeostasis A system will maintain the status-quo. The system fights influences that will produce a change unless or until things become painfully intolerable.

Identified Patient Conflict seems to focus around one particular team member. The conflict might manifest itself as either organizational or interpersonal issues, or both, but whatever the problem seems to be, the problem is never the problem. Rick Brenner

Identified Patient The focus of conflict is often a role — it can be filled by anyone

Extended Family Field The baggage we bring with us into every community we join. The bags that were carefully packed by our parents whose bags were carefully packed by our grandparents. Tri-generational at least.

Sibling Position: “ Mom always liked you best.” Birth order and personality The family standard bearer The family negotiator The family party animal

Dysfunction in the Extended Family Field “It’s All Your Fault.” Glomminess Blame Victimizing Emotional Distance and/or Cut Off Conflict

Illustration 2, Emotional triangle of Albert Einstein's conflict with his mother Pauline, and the emotional cut-off between Pauline and Mileva

Emotional Triangles and Triangulation Is this my stuff?

What are our responsibilities as leaders of covenantal faith communities? Who and what do we serve? How do we function?

Responsibility of Leadership We can only change a relationship to which we belong. Therefore, the way to bring change to the relationship of two others (and no one said it is easy) is to try to maintain a well-defined relationship with each, and to avoid taking responsibility for their relationship with each other. - Dr Edwin Friedman

If power is given and excepted, triangulation is complete. If the third person accepts the responsibility of the secret and the burden of the anxiety it is triangulation

Me Other 3rd Person or Issue My responsibility Covenant My responsibility Clarity My responsibility Manage my anxiety Maintain covenant and clarity

Systems Thinking Five Basic Concepts - Review

Me Other 3rd Person or Issue

Leadership by presence and functioning not data and technique Liberty leading the people Being = Presence Doing = Functioning

Great Leaders Lead by presence and functioning Not technique and data Being and doing

Leadership is the spiritual process of discerning what one believes (clarity), acting on that belief in the public arena (decisiveness), and standing behind that action despite the varied responses of people (courage). - Rev. Frank Thomas Leadership

It’s Lonely at the Top To lead is to no longer be a member.

Leadership The bad leader is hated by the people. The good leader is loved by the people. The great leader leaves the people understanding they did it themselves. -Taoist Saying