LEAD 0510LEAD 0510Leadership DevelopmentLeadership Development

Peter DickensPeter Dickens

Emerging Norms re: ChangeEmerging Norms re: Change

• Constant change• Open systems• Self-organizing

agents• Collaborative focus• Possibility-

orientation

Peter VaillPeter 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 AssumptionsChecking Our Assumptions

• Change starts at the top

• Efficiency comes from control

• Prediction is possible

Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS)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-OrganizationConditions for Self-Organization

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

Strategies for Setting the ContainerStrategies for Setting the Container

• Set few specifications

• Distribute control

• Generate a sense of urgency

• Stretch/shrink boundaries

DialogueDialogue

• 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-OrganizationConditions 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 DifferenceStrategies for Focusing on Significant Difference• Explore contradictions

• Accept contention and adversity

• Raise tough questions

• Demand diversity

• Understand significant difference in the external environment

DialogueDialogue

• 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-OrganizationConditions for Self-Organization

• Container

• Significant Differences

• Transforming Exchanges– Forms the connections– Focus on dialogue

Designing Transforming ExchangesDesigning Transforming Exchanges

• Encourage feedback

• Link communities of passion

• Encourage learning

• Engage in appreciative inquiry

DialogueDialogue

• Reflect on your ministry• What transforming

exchanges have you had so far?

• How could you have more?