LEAD 0510 Leadership Development Peter Dickens

Emerging Norms re: Change Constant change Open systems Self-organizing agents Collaborative focus Possibility- orientation

Peter Vaill Permanent White Water –Conditions are full of surprises –Complex systems tend to produce novel problems –Conditions feature events that are “messy” and ill-structured –Events are often very costly –Conditions raise the problem of recurrence No “one” is going to calm the waters

Checking Our Assumptions Change starts at the top Efficiency comes from control Prediction is possible

Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) The most powerful processes of change are at the micro level Relationships, interactions, small experiments and simple rules shape emerging patterns Everything is interconnected

Conditions for Self-Organization Container –Sets the boundaries –Defines the “self” that organizes –Semi-permeable boundary –Conditions of bounded instability

Strategies for Setting the Container Set few specifications Distribute control Generate a sense of urgency Stretch/shrink boundaries

Dialogue Reflect on your ministry Can you map the primary container? How might you use the strategies to more clearly define the boundaries?

Conditions for Self-Organization Container Significant Differences –Shape primary patterns –Variable and constantly changing –Real and perceived based on mental models

Strategies for Focusing on Significant Difference Explore contradictions Accept contention and adversity Raise tough questions Demand diversity Understand significant difference in the external environment

Dialogue Reflect on your ministry What are the significant differences? Are they real or perceived? Using these strategies, how might you more effectively conserve energy by focusing on important differences?

Conditions for Self-Organization Container Significant Differences Transforming Exchanges –Forms the connections –Focus on dialogue

Designing Transforming Exchanges Encourage feedback Link communities of passion Encourage learning Engage in appreciative inquiry

Dialogue Reflect on your ministry What transforming exchanges have you had so far? How could you have more?