Creative Forces of Self Organization

8/11/2019 Creative Forces of Self Organization

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THE CREATIVE FORCES

OF SELF-ORGANIZATION

By

JOHN A. BUCK

and

GERARD ENDENBURG


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Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Why Empower Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Introduction to the Dening Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

First Example: A Hairdressing Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Second Example: An Alternate Idea in a Crisis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

New Corporate Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Benets of Self-organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Systems Theory and Dynamic Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Selected Bibliography and Related Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

About the Authors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

List of Figures

Figure 1 The Dening Elements of Dynamic governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Figure 2 Format of a Dynamic governance Circle Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Figure 3 Template for Dynamic governance Elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Figure 4 Dynamic governance Ballot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Figure 5 Template for Making Policy Decisions by Consent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Figure 6 Electrical Companys Functional Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Figure 7 Electrical Companys Dynamic Circle Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Figure 8 The Classic Corporate Model Uses Majority Voteand Autocratic Decision-making . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Figure 9 The Classic Corporate Model with Union Feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Figure 10 Classic Corporate Model with Employee Stockowner

Feedback Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Figure 11 Dynamic governance Circle Functions: Leading-Doing-Measuring 18

Figure 12 Summary of Advantages and Disadvantages ofDynamic governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Copyright 2010 Sociocratic Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Original article published in 2004. Revised 2006, 2010.


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Copyright 2010, Sociocratic Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands www.governancealive.com 800-870-2092

The Creative Fo rces Of Self-Organization 3

Introduction

Consider a group of workers. If they actjointly under the direction of a leader toproduce a product or service, we considertheir behavior organized. If they act as a teamwithout external orders, we would considerthem self-organized.

People self-organize all the time. Businessassociates create partnerships, children inventgames, students organize elaborate pranks,and employees take the initiative in handlingan unusual problem during a supervisorsabsence. In another organization, employees

invent a subtle, collective way to resist anunpopular supervisory policy.

We have tried with only moderate success tounderstand the self-organizing phenomenafrom the standpoint of behavioral psychology,military science, management science, andeven operations research. Recent discoveriesin systems theory, however, are givingnew, clearer insights into self-organizing,insights that offer both managers and staff

powerful new tools to increase productivity.Remarkably, they could implement thesewith simple additions to currently existingorganizational structures.

In this article, we wil l present a genuinely newmethod of organizing work and governingorganizations and then discuss its principlesand some of its methods in more detail. Thisnew methods technical name is sociocracy butin the businesses and organizations that use

it, is also known under other names includingdynamic governance, nonviolent governance,and green governance. In this paper we willuse primarily dynamic governance because itis more familiar than sociocracy and it alsorefers to a basic concept in systems theory,feedback loops.

This overview will rst introduce a fewkey concepts that include consent decision-making and double-linked hierarchies. Then,

after presenting two simulated examplesfrom dynamically governed organizations,we will discuss dynamic governance methodsin more detail and contrast them with morefamiliar forms of management. Finally,well summarize some of the mathematicaland systems theory concepts related to thisinnovative management strategy.

Dynamic governance, or sociocracy, is adecision-making and governance method

that allows an organization to manage itselfas an organic whole. To make this possible,dynamic governance enables every sub-partof the organization to have an authoritativevoice in the management of the organization.In contrast, modern corporations areconsidered to be legal persons with rightsequivalent to those of a person, but theexercise of those corporate rights is the soleauthority and responsibility of a majority ofthe board of directors, not the organization

as a whole or even the board of directors asa whole. To demonstrate the uniqueness ofdynamic governance and the development ofthe ideas that lead to its development, we willbriey discuss previous efforts to empowerworkers in the workplace.

Why Empower Workers?

The word sociocracy was rst used byAugust Comte, an early nineteenth centuryFrench philosopher best known for a system

of thought and organization known asPositivism that he hoped would provide thebasis for a stable society in the emergingindustrial revolution. Comte establishedthe science of sociology that provided thebasis for his theory of sociocracy. AlthoughComte proposed a body of social scientists


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4 The Creativ e Fo rces Of Self-Organization

to replace the monarchy, the meaning of theword sociocracy is literally rule by the socios,people who have a social relationship with

each other. In contrast, a democracy is ruleby the demos,the general mass of people whomay have little in common. Comte, however,was unable to suggest a practical structure forsociocracy.

In the 1800s, John Stuart Mill advocatedworker cooperatives in which the workerscontrolled all equity and selected their ownmanagement, the beginning of the cooperativemovement that has had some limited success.

In the 1920s, a pioneering managementscientist Mary Parker Follett noted that in themost productive companies workers stronglyidentied with the organization as theircompany, allowing them to focus withoutconicting feelings. She discerned, however,that no structure existed that allowed suchidentication to be founded on anything otherthan a difcult-to-maintain illusion. Thebasis of a new structure emerged with laterin the 20th century with the notable thinking

of Norbert Wiener, who founded cybernetics;John Forbes Nash, the mathematician whoselife was portrayed in the movie A BeautifulMind; and Ilya Prigogine, the Nobel laureatewho did pioneering work in self-organizingsystems. Their insights formed the basisfor dynamic governance, which supportsworkers, managers and investors in focusingtogether on a common aim.

Dynamic governance theory continues to

grow by incorporating new scientic insights.For example, 21st Century mathematicalmodeling of decision-making behavior byocks of birds and schools of sh, and newobservations of bee swarms is of particularinterest because some of the underlyingconcepts such as changes in zone of alignment

seem applicable to human self-organizingbehavior as well.

Beginning shortly after World War II,American educator and social psychologist,Rensis Likert, integrated empirical socialscience research into a concept called System4. His ideas, which both promote upwardfeedback and recognize the importance ofhierarchies, have been very inuential inmanagement theory. Highly respected in Japan,a number of recent American plant start-ups,particularly joint ventures with Japanese rms,have been patterned on System 4 concepts.

Before he died in 1981, Likert was beginningto articulate ideas for System 5 that vestedgreater managerial authority in the workers.Professor Robert Ackoff of the WhartonSchool of Business suggested a similar ideain the early 1980s. He suggested a scheme forthe establishment of a corporations long rangeplanning by using multi-staged majority voteof management and workers.

More recently, futurist John Naisbitt

popularized the concepts of participatorycorporations, networking as an alternativeto traditional hierarchical organizations, andintrapreneurship, acting like an entrepreneurbut within a corporation. Naisbitt and otherwriters seem to reect a general societal moodthat reafrms basic capitalist values whilepushing for a broader base in the managementof our businesses and institutions. Legislationpassed over the last few decades that promotesemployee ownership reects this mood. In

Leading the Revolution, Gary Hamel makesa strong case for involving everyone in anorganization when developing new businessstrategies. In mid-2004 American Airlinesannounced a protable quarter after teeteringon bankruptcy for two years. Why? Theirnew CEO, Gerard Arpey, found ways to


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involve the workers and unions in developinginnovative and protable business strategies.

The research and experiences of these theoristsand business leaders, however, were stilllacking a system or structure that would ensureboth worker commitment and protability.Cultivating an environment that consistentlymaximized the potential of an investor-manager-worker partnership remained in thehands of a few gifted managers. In the late20th century in his electrical engineering rmin the Netherlands, Gerard Endenburg begandeveloping such a structure. Endenburg had

studied with Dutch Quaker and progressiveeducator Kees Boeke, who had workedinternationally to promote peace througheducation. In 1926, Boeke founded a schoolin which he developed the practical principlesof sociocracy and applied them by havingthe students and teachers govern the school.Endenburg developed these principles andapplied them in his company to prove thata business could not only function withworkers assuming responsibility for the

policy decisions that affected their work, butthat it was more protable to do so. In 1981,Endenburg began to publish his theoriesand to apply his method in other businesses.The methods and principles of dynamicgovernance solve the problem of organizingsustainable and holist ic worker empowermentwhile a the same t ime ensuring managementcontrol and protecting the interests ofinvestors. It has now been used successfullyfor decades in many organizations in The

Netherlands as diverse as an electricalcontracting company, a municipal policedepartment, a Buddhist monastery, a nursinghome, a chain of hairdressing shops, a localpublic school system, and numerous others. Itis also being used in a variety of organizations

in other European countries, Latin America,Australia, and the United States and Canada.

In research studies, organizations usingdynamic governance are reporting increasedinnovation, productivity increases of up30% and 40%, reduction in the number ofmeetings, decreases in sick leave, and higherstaff commitment to the organization.Both workers and managers like workingin dynamically organized companies. Quitesimply, businesses and organizations areeasier to guide and seem to have an unusualcapacity for initiative, self-regeneration,

and repair. The method is operating wellin organizations of up to 1800 people andsubstantially larger organizations are applyingit on a limited basis.

Although Endenburg developed the dynamicgovernance methodology without directknowledge of Likerts work, it has severalstriking similarities to his System 4 and 5ideas. These similarities are remarkable ifone considers that dynamic governance,

based on applied systems theory, relies verylittle on the social psychology theories usedby Likert. Dynamic governance is also quiteunlike the management concepts underlyingquality circles, socio-technical analysis,organizational development, cooperatives,and employee stock ownership plans. Whileit applies the best nancial and businessmanagement practices, it focuses onmodifying or rewiring the autocratic powerstructure that is the backbone of modern

organizations, whether prot or nonprot.


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Introduction to the DeningElements

The dynamic governance method relieson four critical components derivedfrom the science of cybernetics, includingsystems theory, fractal concepts, and thephenomenon of self-organization. The fourdening elements are quite simple, and onceunderstood, are easy to follow. Any companyor organization can implement them withoutchanging its existing organizational structure.Once in place they provide a exible meansto develop that structure. Figure 1 lists the

dening elements and gives brief denitions.Dynamic governance provides specicstructures and procedures for implementingand maintaining these dening elements,much the same as Roberts Rules of Order guidesthe majority-vote decision processes. We willillustrate these procedures with two detailedexamples based on actual companies. Therst example focuses on the consent, election,and circle components. The second exampleillustrates the double-linking component.

The DeningElements

Consent The principle of consent governs

decision-making. Consent means no argued and

paramount objection. In other words, a policy

decision can only be made if nobody has a

reasoned and paramount objection to it. Day-

to-day decisions dont require consent, but there

must be consent about the use of other forms

of decision-making.

Election of Persons Election of persons for

functions and/or tasks takes place in accordance

with the principle of consent and after open

argumentation.

Circle The organization maintains a structure

for decision-making, consisting of semi-

autonomous circles (i.e., groups of individuals).

Each circle has its own aim and organizes

the three functions of leading, doing, and

measuring/feedback. A circle makes its own

policy decisions by consent, maintains its own

memory system, and develops itself through

research, teaching, and learning that interacts

with its aim. A circle makes consent decisions

only in specially formatted circle meetings.

Double Linking - A circle is connected to

the next higher circle with a double link. This

means that at least two persons, one being the

functional leader of the circle and at least one

representative from the circle, are full members

of the next higher circle.

Figure 1: The Defining Elements

of Dynamic Governance


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Right after closing time, the staff of ahairdressing shop gathered for a circlemeeting. The shop was part of a growing,dynamically organized franchise company.Nine of the ten full-time workers and onepart-time person were present and ringed theroom.

It had been six weeks since the last meeting.Donna, an experienced stylist and regularfacilitator of the meeting, followed thedynamic governance format for a circlemeeting. (See Figure 2). Starting with an

opening round, she asked each person in turnto say briey how they were doing and, ifthey wished, to make any comments on theagenda. As each person spoke, bringing himor herself into the meeting, there were nods,some good-natured laughter, and a few clucksof sympathy. The opening round complete,Donna dealt with administrative matters. Sheasked if everyone had received a copy ofthe decisions made in the previous meeting.Susan, an apprentice, said shed forgotten

hers, and Charles, a stylist and secretary ofthe circle meetings, handed her an extra copy.

The circle was experienced in consentdecision-making and handled its proceedingswith deceptive informal ity. Donna watchedthem scan the list of decisions and afterseeing several nods said, Since no one seemsto have a problem with the minutes, lets goon to the agenda. As all of you know, Imgetting a promotion and will be managing

the new shop opening over by the lake (somegood natured cheers erupt); so, we need toelect a new circle chair. Second, several of youmentioned that youre concerned about ourcompetitors salon thats opening in the otherwing of this shopping center. The only other

The Order of

a DynamicallyGoverned Meeting

A. Opening round a time to attune like an

orchestra just before the concert.

B. Administrative concerns such as

announcements, time available for the

meeting, consent to minutes of last meeting,

date of next meeting, acceptance of the

agenda.

C. ContentAgenda item

Second agenda item

Etc.

D. Closing round a time to measure the

meeting process e.g., use of time, did the

facilitator maintain equivalence, how could

the decision-making could have been more

efcient, did everyone arrive prepared.

Also, this is a time to mention agenda items

that should be on the agenda for the next

meeting.

Figure 2: Format of a Dynamic

governance Circle Meeting

agenda item I have is Mildreds request to talkabout coverage of our shop on Sundays.

Mildred, the manager, supervised the shopand presided over routine weekly staffmeetings, but, by the circles choice, she did

not chair the circle meetings.Again, no one voiced any objections, andDonna started into the content part of themeeting. She introduced the rst agendaitem by saying, Now then, lets proceed with

First Example: A Hairdressing Shop


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After everyone had given an initial opinionwithout discussion, Donna asked if anyonewanted to Change their vote based on what

theyd heard, the fourth step. Two peoplesaid that they liked the reasons given forCharles, including a person who had objectedto him in an earlier election based on hisinexperience. (This self-organized movementtoward Charles occurs frequently in dynamicgovernance elections.)

Based on the strength of the arguments forCharles, Donna proposed him for the joband she initiated a Consent Round, asking each

person in turn, Do you have any objection toCharles as the new chair? She asked Charleslast. As no one objected, she announced thatthe circle had selected Charles. Donna pausedfor a moment, as everyone in the room seemedto experience a moment of quiet satisfactionat the completed election.

Decision-Making Process

1. Consent to the issue(s)to be decided (Whats the picture?)

2. Generate a proposal(Whats our approach?) Often a person or persons may be asked to prepare

a draft proposal and circulate it for comment and revision before the next meeting.

3. Consent to the proposal(Whats our decision?)

a. Present proposal

b. Clarifying round clarifying questions only

c. Quick reaction round quick feedback about the proposal; as appropriate, tune proposal

based on the quick reactions.

d. Consent round if objections, record on a ip chart without dialog until the round iscompleted; if necessary, amend proposal and repeat consent round. (If amendments are not

obvious, a dialog may be initiated until potential amendments begin to emerge.)

Figure 5: Template for Making Policy

Decisions by Consent.

Charles suggested that Donna chair therest of the meeting, and she moved on tothe next topic on the agenda. Following

the template for making policy decisionsby consent, Figure 5, Donna asked Micheleto give her report. (Step 1) In the previousmeeting, circle members had been veryconcerned about a competitors new stylingshop that would be opening in another partof the shopping center It had asked Michele,a stylist and the shops elected representativeto their franchising company, to investigateand propose (Step 2) what they should do tohandle the new competition. Michele said

shed spoken with the franchising companysmain ofce and to a number of other peopleand it seemed that the competition wascoming in because their own shop had somany customers. The new shop would try totake their customers by offering manicures,and other extra services free, at least for the


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time being. She proposed (Step 3a) that theirshop offer special promotions for the rstfew months after the other store opened and

that they talk with their customers aboutwhat new services they might like to have.After some clarifying questions (Step 3b),Donna asked for quick reactions (Step 3c) toMicheles proposal. Most felt it was a goodidea, and some asked how much the specialsales promotions would cost. Donna askedMichele if she wanted to amend her proposalbased on the quick reactions.

Michele thought for a moment and said, I

imagine the advertising and specials willbe pretty expensive, and Im not sure howexpensive. But, it is really important that wekeep as many customers as we can duringthe other stores big opening extravaganza.So, I will add to my proposal that weauthorize Mildred to spend up to 20% of ourexpected prots over the next three monthson advertising and special promotions. Shecan tell us if she needs even more moneythan that. Michele glanced at Mildred, the

shop manager, to try to gauge her reaction.The others were quiet a moment as theyconsidered the effect on their own monthlyprot-sharing payments.

Donna broke the silence saying, Alright letssee if we have consent for Micheles proposal.She did a consent round (Step 3d), askingeach person in turn whether they had anyparamount objection to Micheles proposal.To Micheles surprise, no one had an objection

to the money part of her proposal, but Charlesobjected because he felt it wouldnt give themenough information about the services of theother shop, what they were really offeringand their quality, and a way to react quicklyif there was some new gimmick. In a way itleft them blind, that was why his objection

was paramount. Donna summarized Charlesobjection on a ip chart and continued theround without further discussion.

In the end, Charles had the only objection.Donna initiated a dialog focused on Charlesobjection by asking Charles if wanted toelaborate further. Well, he said, We donthave any way to research or learn from them.What are they doing better? What are theynot doing as well.

Several other people made comments. Aftera bit, Donna saw that a strategy was startingto take shape (self-organizing). She cut offthe dialog and said, So, were saying thatin addition to Micheles proposal, we wantMildred to organize an on-going effort tocheck out the other shop. Each of us wil l taketurns going to the other shop as customersto make our professional assessments ofwhat they are doing. Mildred wil l get otherpeople to go, too, who will talk to their othercustomers to nd out what they think andwhy they are going there rather than here.

Well get training or change our advertisingdepending what we nd. Donna did anotherconsent round, and this time no one had anyobjections. The decision was made.

Donna then moved to the third topic,coverage of the shop on Sunday afternoons an unpopular time to work. In its previousmeeting the circle had created a newassignment schedule after intense dialog.Mildred reported that she had received nocomplaints so far except her own: namely,

the new schedule was difcult for her tomanage. To keep dissension at a minimum,the circle had closely limited her authorityto modify the schedule unilaterally. She saidshe now objected to those tight reins becausethe schedule was unworkable without more


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latitude. She described the changes shewanted. As no one seemed against the idea ofgiving more exibility or inclined to discuss

it extensively, Donna skipped the steps ofasking for questions and quick reactions andsimply asked for consent. There were noobjections.

Donna concluded the meeting with a closinground (Figure 2, Step D) in which she askedeach person for a short evaluation of themeeting without discussion. The meetingthen broke up after running for an hour andfteen minutes.

This hairdressing shop example illustratesthe dynamic circle meeting format andthe consent decision-making processesfor electing people and for making policydecisions. It also alludes to the fourthdening element, double linking, when itmentions Micheles role as representative tothe franchises regional general managementcircle. Double-linking (Figure 1) inparticular sets dynamic governance apart

from other management strategies. It allowsorganizations larger than a single circle to useconsent decision-making holistically, greatly

improving upward feedback and facilitatingmanagerial delegation.

What the example doesnt il lustrate is thedynamic engineering of the shops work.There are other templates that help a circlearticulate its own aim; organize itself usingthe three functions of leading, doing, andmeasuring/feedback; maintain its ownmemory system; and develop itself throughintegral research, teaching, and learning.

(Figure 1) Dynamic engineering is a bit likeindustrial engineering except that, unliketraditional industrial engineering, control ofthe work process is in everyones hands. Theresult is that every person has the chance tobe an entrepreneur in his or her own domainof responsibility.

The second example, based on a real-lifeevent, illustrates the dening element ofdouble l inking.


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Second Example: An AlternateIdea in a Crisis

Gloom reigned among the more thanone hundred members of a company thatmanufactures and installs heavy-dutyelectrical equipment. A local shipyard hadsuddenly shut down, unable to keep up withforeign competition. The shipyard accountedfor almost all of the Boat Departmentsbusiness.

Figure 6 shows the Boat Departments placein the companys day-to-day functionalstructure, simplied for illustration. In this

gure, each department box represents asingle manager in the management structurewith the exception of the Board, whichcontains several people.

Fortunately, however, the company was agoverned dynamically. Every four to sixweeks all the departments meet in the policydecision-making structure shown in Figure 7to adjust the policies that govern their work.Unlike the boxes in Figure 6, that represent

the daytoday operational structure, thetriangles in the bottom row of Figure 7 includethe department supervisor plus everyone

reporting directly to that supervisor.

Triangles are used in the diagram to representthe three functions, leadingdoingmeasuring, that create the dynamic circularprocess. The groups of people and theirmeetings are referred to as circles and circlemeetings because they are implementing thiscircular process.

The General Circle in Figure 7 includes theCEO plus the four supervisors reporting tothe CEO plus a representative elected by eachdepartment, nine people in all. The left hashmark at the top of each triangle representsan elected representative and the right hashmark represents the functional supervisor.The hash marks at the top of the BoardCircle represent board members who areoutside experts. Because each circle connectsto the next higher circle through two people,the supervisor and an elected representative,

the circles are double-linked. This feature is

Board

CEO

AdminDepartmentManager

BuildingDepartmentManager

BoatDepartmentManager

AssemblyDepartmentManager

Figure 6: Electrical Companys Functional Structure


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unique to the dynamic governance methodand creates a circular feedback processbetween the two circles, the functional leader

reporting down and the representative up.

Returning to the crisis, when word came ofthe shipyard closure, the Board Circle heldan emergency meeting and decided to begina layoff of most of the Boat Department.When the Board announced its decision,Max, one of the electricians in the AssemblyDepartment, asked Henry, the AssemblyCircle secretary, to call a special meeting ofthe Assembly Department Circle. The layoff

did not immediately affect him, but he had anidea about another solution. Henry arrangeda meeting and when everyone had gathered,Max explained his idea.

It seems to me, Max said, that wed do alot better if we shifted everyone who wouldbe laid off to a marketing effort. There has tobe more business out there. Im sure the guysin Boats would rather not knock on doorswith a suit and tie on, but Ill bet theyll do it

if it means keeping their jobs. If they succeed,well all get bigger long-term incentive checksand no one will lose their jobs.

When it was his turn, Marvin, an apprenticeelectrician, commented skeptically, Its anice idea, but I couldnt see myself doing it,and I cant see those guys in Boats doing iteither.

George, the circles non-managementrepresentative to the General Circle,continued, I like Maxs idea. I think the Boatguys would rather stand on a carpet than inthe unemployment line. Whats more, wehave been doing some work for Boats makingspecial electrical cabinets. If they dont bringin more work, we could be next for a layoff.

The dialog continued for several moreminutes as the circle fell in behind Maxs idea.Gene, the circles facilitator then summarizedtheir thinking by making a proposal for adecision. Ok, it sounds like this is what wewant to do: We designate Max as a temporary

Board Circle

General Circle

BuildingDepartment

Circle

BoatDepartment

Circle

AssemblyDepartment

Circle

AdminDepartment

Circle

Figure 7: Electrical Companys Dynamic Circle Structure


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second circle representative to the GeneralManagement Circle. He will propose thatwe delay the layoff for one month while the

Boats Department and anyone else who canbe spared concentrates on marketing. Theregular marketers will have to give some fastmarketing and sales training. Max and I willget Administration to help us calculate howmuch of the company reserve wed have tospend to delay the layoff.

Gene glanced at Henry who was scribblingGenes words in the ofcial circle notebook.Henry nodded to indicate that he did not

need Gene to repeat the proposed decision.Ok, Gene continued, lets go around thecircle to see if anyone has objections. Noone did. As the meeting broke up, Alex, thesupervisor of the Assembly Department, saidhed report the decision to the companysgeneral manager at once and ask the GeneralManagement Circles secretary to call anemergency meeting for the next afternoon.

After init ial reservations were resolved

in the General Circle meeting, the circledecided to support the idea of temporarilyreassigning the Boat workers to Marketing.Because the circle was limited in theirauthority to authorize expenditures fromthe reserve. What they did do was elect Maxas a temporary second representative to thecompanys Board Circle (Board of Directors).In a special meeting, after heated debate, theBoard gave its approval to a slightly modiedplan, and the General Circle put the plan into

action. It worked. Within three weeks, therewere enough new customer commitments thatthe layoff never occurred, and the companyis stronger today with a more diversiedcustomer base.

In this second example, the fourth deningelement of dynamic governance, double-linking, facilitated upward communication

of an idea all the way to top management.The double-link process catapulted Maxto a temporary position on the Board ofthe company. The self-organizing processidentied the real leader of the moment andput him in the right position.

New Corporate Structure

The next section explains how the fourdening elements are applied in thelarger organizational context by analyzing

conventional corporate models of governanceand comparing them with the dynamicgovernance model shown in Figure 7.

Conventional businesses almost universallyrely on a combination of majority vote andautocratic decision-making. Figure 8 expandsFigure 6 to illustrate that a majority of theBoard members select the CEO who, actingfor the Board, functions as an autocraticdecision-maker.

By autocratic we dont mean that the CEOis dictatorial; thats only one autocratic style.In fact, CEOs and their managers mayemploy a wide range of autocratic stylesincluding telling or giving direct orders,selling, participative, and joined styles. Withthe joined or participative style, mangerstry to follow the consensus of their staff orpeers, reserving nal decisions to themselvesonly when necessary. These are all autocratic

styles because, regardless of collaborativeappearances, the auto, a single person, retainsthe power to ignore all other voices whenmaking decisions. Each of these autocraticstyles has positive and negative qualities anddepending on the circumstances none isinherently more desirable.


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In contrast, it is important to understandthat dynamic governance is not a method ofparticipative or joined management. It is not a

management style. Rather it modies the basicstructure of power that supports whateverday-to-day style of management seemsmost effective in a given context. Dynamicgovernance makes leading, regardless of amanagers personal style, easier.

The evolution of business organizationshas tended toward greater equivalency ofeveryone in a company. One stage in thatevolution was the development of unions.

Figure 9 adds a union feedback loop to thecorporate model depicted in Figure 6.

CEO

Board of Directors

Majority Minority

Subordinates

Figure 8: The Classic Corporate Model Uses

Majority Vote and Autocratic Decision-making

By law employers who are displeased withemployees statements can reprimand orre them. The law, however, protects

employees if they speak as a representativeof the companys union. Many brave anddedicated persons struggled for decades towin for workers the power to negotiate withmanagement from a position of collectiveequality. From a systems viewpoint, unionscan potentially perform a valuable feedbackservice. Since union representatives haveprotection, feedback from them may be moreaccurate than from individual employees.Unfortunately, unions are also subject to the

politics created by majority vote that tends todistort that feedback.


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These politics, plus the fact that the unionstands outside the functional structure ofthe company, make the union feedback

loop effective only in reecting matters ofbroad and general concern. The feedbackreects the opinions of the majority, not theminority, and is thus only partial feedback.Furthermore, unions derive much of theirstrength from their right to strike or torequire arbitration of disputes. Arbitrationand strikes inhibit rather than promotecommunication with management, oftenmaking it strained, legalistic, and us versusthem. Strikes especially can lead to bitterness

and are rife with distorting and troublesomemass emotions.

President

Board of Directors

Majority Minority

Union

Majority Minority

Subordinates

Figure 9: The Classic Corporate Model with Union Feedback

A more recent development in the evolutionof the corporate form of organization isemployee stock ownership plans. Figure

10 slightly modies Figure 9 to depict thesystems conguration created by suchschemes. It replaces the Union with EmployeeStockholders and redirects the feedback loopto go direct ly to the stockholders ratherthan to the president. Since the employeestockholders feedback loop is even furtherthan the union feedback loop from the day-to-day worker-supervisor communicationsand decision-making, it is even moreineffective. Its only values are to provide a

general positive incentive to the workers whoas stockholders benet overall performanceand to protect against hostile takeovers.


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Contrast Figures 8, 9 and 10 with Figure 7,which depicts the dynamic governance powerstructure. Because of the double-linking

principle, Figure 7 includes a feedback loopat each level in the hierarchy, including theBoard, creating a wholly dynamic structure inwhich feedback is direct and ensured.

Figure 11 illustrates that the circles in Figure7 are drawn as triangles both for ease ofillustration and to symbolize the circularsystems concept of dynamic steering: theleading, doing, and measuring that followeach other in a circular fashion. The triangle

apex represents the leading, the rightcorner represents doing, and the left cornerrepresents measuring.

President

Board of Directors

Majority Minority

Stockholders

Majority Minority

Employee Stockholders

Majority Minority

Subordinates

Figure 10: Classic Corporate Model with Employee Stockowner Feedback Loop

Circles operate organically. For example, aperson riding a bicycle from point A to pointB is a dynamic system. The leg muscles push

the pedals and the hands steer, the doing. Thesenses, the measuring component, such as theeyes and inner ear give feedback to the brain,the leading component. The brain assessesthe feedback and issues new guidance to themuscles. If we remove any one of the threecomponents, we no longer have a system thatcan be steered dynamically. Without dynamicsteering, the odds that the cyclist will reachpoint B efciently, or at all, are very low.Dynamic governance places great emphasis

on making both work processes and over-all corporate guidance dynamically steerable.Thus, a circle of people is one whose workprocesses and power structure respond


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Figure 11: Dynamic governance Circle Functions: Leading-Doing-Measuring

Leading

Measuring Doing

(Circle Policies and Orders)(Feedback)

(Data and Output)

dynamically to both the internal and externalenvironment of the organization.

The consent decision-making processprovides the measurement component that ismissing or weak in the classic models shownin Figures 8, 9, and 10 because the boss canchoose to ignore feedback. In a dynamicgovernance circle meeting, consent decision-making removes the possibility of ignoring.Double linking then extends the reach of

the feedback, creating an integrated anddynamically steerable organization at everylevel.

The dynamic governance circle structureoverlays the classic structure. In other words,Figure 7 embeds Figure 6: Specically, thelines that are the right-hand side of eachtriangle in Figure 7 are identical to the linesin Figure 6. They represent the top downcommand structure of leader to doer. The

remaining part of each triangle is the feedbackloop. It represents power going from thebottom upward in a circular relationship withthe top-down power. These feedback loopsare much more immediate, accurate, andpractical than the feedback loops shown inFigures 9 and 10.

Finally, in a dynamically governed corporation,the composition of the Board changes. Thehash marks at the upper side of the BoardCircle in Figure 7 reect participation byoutsiders. One of these outsiders representsthe stockholders. The other outsiders includean expert in the companys business area, anexpert in the local government, and an expertin management methods. Including a widerange of expertise keeps the organization inintimate touch with changes in the companysenvironment.

Implementation

Top management should lead theimplementation of dynamic governance toensure that it proceeds holistically. Attemptsby factions to implement it from the bottomor middle of their organizations can leadto considerable friction. Some peoplemistakenly perceive dynamic governance as a

revolutionary tool to use against management,to get rid of the boss. Its not. The boss staysput. The logic of dynamic governance setsaside the either/or logic of workers versusmanagement. Dynamic governance logic isoften expressed in both/and statements. Forexample, a dynamically governed business


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places control of a company in the handsof both stockholders and management andin bothmanagement andworkers. It typically

uses both autocratic and egalitarian decision-making. It provides botha security assuranceand a creative stimulus. It is concerned withbothprot andhuman values.

By combining seemingly incompatibleconcepts, both/and thinking stimulatescreative thinking and causes that seeminglychaotic thinking to self-organize into verypractical solutions.

Since the implementation process is bothemancipating and motivating, conictingfeelings of caution, elation, frustration,relief, fear, and appreciation may ariseduring implementation. Careful planningcan minimize this discomfort and avoiddisruption of the ongoing work process.

Implementation begins in the imaginationof those in currently in charge, the ownersor the board. They have to see dynamicgovernance as a possible strategy for achieving

their values and vision for the business ororganization. Gaining this insight is the rststep in implementation. They are likely to saythey are looking for better communications,more creativity in order to stay ahead ofcompetition, a more stable labor force, orsimply more prot. These are all valid reasons,but it is more effective if those in control canarticulate their dream for the company, theirvision. Having a clear vision helps integratedynamic governance into other strategies for

realizing this vision.

The rst step in implementation is for topmanagement to make a clear decision to tryout dynamic governance for a specic periodof time, to evaluate their experience after that

period, and to plan next steps based on thatevaluation.

The second step is usually to form anImplementation Circle consisting of the CEO,other selected top managers, and personsfrom other levels of the organization. TheImplementation Circle receives training indynamic governance and deepens its learningby applying the training to its own operations.The Implementation Circles job is to plan,guide, and evaluate a series of implementationsteps, for example, implementing dynamicgovernance in one department and measuring

the results. If successful, the ImplementationCircle would probably expand the methodto more departments. The second step endsonce the whole organization has a double-linked circle structure and in-house trainersare able to train current and new staff.

The third step, that can partially overlap thesecond step, is to install dynamic engineeringmethods. These methods organize all workprocesses on a dynamic basis and create a

structure to guide the organizations ownevolution. Once these methods are in place,the organization will likely be ready forISO 9000 quality certication. The qualitymethods will feel integral to the normal workprocesses and not imposed from outside,as is so often the case when traditionallystructured and managed companies seek ISO9000 certication.

The fourth step in implementation focuseson the Board Circle, or Top Circle, that

determines the budget for the organization.In a dynamically governed organization thisincludes setting formulas for the part of eachstaff members compensation that dependson the prots or losses of their departmentand the company as a whole. This variable


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compensation based on prots and lossesensures that each staff member, investor,circle, and the company as a whole has explicit

nancial feedback about their performance.The formulas include a regular payment forinvestors and salaries for management, andstaff, plus short- and long-term incentivepayments.

In addition to a new nancial compensationstructure, the Board Circle may wish torevise its Incorporation and Bylaws structureto make consent the legal basis of decision-making. The corporation retains its ability

to raise money through sale of stock, butbecause the basis of decision-making isconsent, not ownership, a hostile takeoverbecomes impossible. The legal person, thecorporation, thus owns itself; just as you, anatural person, own yourself.

One attraction of dynamic governance is thefreedom it offers to use it in whole or in part.The implementation process can be pausedat any point or only applied to one division.

This offers a practical way to gain experiencewith the model.

Benets of Self-organization

It is natural to ask, Why bother to makemy company self-organizing? What arethe benets? The summary answer is thatthe self-organizing process spurs creativethinking and catalyzes new structures andideas. Although a circle meeting might beseen as a forum for endless argument and

indecisiveness, in practice it is not. It ismore reminiscent of a stock market or a folkmarket place where prices and exchangesemerge spontaneously. Figure 12 summarizesthe major advantages and disadvantages ofdynamic governance.

Systems Theory and DynamicEngineering

Some readers will be interested in thetheoretical background of the four deningelements. Dynamic governance draws onknowledge from many disciplines, particularlysystems theory. It has probably emerged onlyrecently because the crucial insights providedby the science of cybernetics were simplynot available. Cybernetics is the science ofcommunications and control. Systems theory,closely related to cybernetics, explores thesimilarities between seemingly unrelated

phenomena.By establishing reliable analogies,the insights gained in one area of study canaccelerate understanding and discoveries inother elds. The most powerful analogiesare mathematical because they are the mostprecise. For instance, as schoolchildren welearned to think of electrical circuits as beinglike water pipes. That analogy is a verygood one because the equations that describehydrodynamic volume and pressure havethe same algebraic form as the equations

related to watts and voltage. Finding thesocial sciences lacking in clear managementconcepts, Endenburg developed the fourdening elements of dynamic governanceby making analogies with processes clearlyunderstood in the physical sciences, especiallyelectronics and biology.

English mathematician and computer scientistAlan Turing, Russian Belgian chemist andcomplexity theorist Ilya Prigogine, and otherslaid the foundation of systems theory duringthe 1950s by generalizing the principles ofmechanics and thermodynamics to otherelds of study. Their initial work led to newdisciplines such as operations research andfound numerous practical applications inmanufacturing and management science. It


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was the basis of the design of computers andgenerated such now familiar tools as PERTcharts and ow diagrams. One of the tasks

of the systems approach to management isto understand why some organizations arebetter organized than others and to providea rigorous methodology for improvingorganizational design and evaluation.

Prigogine became particularly interested inself-organizing systems. In 1977, Prigoginereceived the Nobel Prize in Chemistryfor his contributions to non-equilibriumthermodynamics, particularly the theory

Advantages

Promotes creativity and problem solving

throughout the organization

Supports the interests of investors,

management, and staff

Speeds adaptation to change

Engages and utilizes the energy of every

member of the organization

Generates high quality products and

services

Increases staff commitment to and

identication with the organization

Results in fewer, more satisfying meetings

Reduces sick leave

Improves safety record

Raises awareness of costs

Improves client orientation

Decreases the odds of burnout

Builds program self-discipline

Supports leadership among peers

Disadvantages

Requires careful implementation

planning

Necessitates training in new concepts

May arouse varying intense emotions

during implementation (skepticism,

elation, anxiety, excitement)

May, at rst, be uncomfortable for

those not accustomed to sharing the

responsibility of difcult decisions

Figure 12: Summary of Advantages and Disadvantages of Dynamic governance

of dissipative structures. In lay terms, headvanced our understanding of how ordercan arise from chaos. By mathematical

reasoning, he widened the scope of his workfrom purely physical sciences to ecologicaland sociological studies. Others have usedthese ideas to examine such diverse topicsas the origin of life on Earth, the dynamicequilibrium of ecosystems, and even theprevention of trafc jams.


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In 1978, Herman Haken, a professor atthe Institute for Theoretical Physics atthe University of Stuttgart, extended the

mathematics associated with gases inPrigogines work and used the term synergeticsto describe the new discipline he founded, thatstudies self-organizing phenomena. Hakenswork showed that self-organizing activities asfar apart as lasers, the regular streaks of cirrusclouds, certain rhythmic chemical reactions,patterns in slime mold, regular uctuations inthe number of hare and lynx pelts receivedby the Hudsons Bay company over a 90 yearperiod, and formation of public opinion are

mathematically all one process.

Prigogine and Haken showed that, to beself-organizing, a system must meet twoconditions. First, the elements of any self-organizing system must be equivalent, that is,not controlling each other. A system in whichthe elements do not limit or control eachother is without form; it is chaotic. Second,to be self-organizing, a system must have anexternal source of energy. These conditions

are true for all self-organizing systems,whether the system elements are people freelyuniting around a common activity or atomsharmonizing to one frequency in a laser.

The four dening elements of dynamicgovernance create the conditions neededfor self-organizing to occur: consent,elections, and double linking establish therst condition, that of not controlling each

other. For example, in the election process,the procedure in which each person makeshis or her nomination privately on a piece of

paper intentionally creates a chaotic situation.The circle component provides the requiredexternal energy source, viz, the commonaim which is assigned by the higher circle.The common aim creates tension: We mustwork together to produce a specic productor service, and we must do so in the face ofcompetition.

In contrast, we can see that conventionalorganizations do not create the conditions

needed to release the phenomenon of self-organization. Neither autocratic nor majority-vote decision-making allows the elements,the people, of the system, the company, to benot controlling each other. For example, ifeach person on a board of directors has onevote, the majority of votes on any one issuecontrols the minority. Thus, the majority voteprocedure destroys the initial equivalence.Or, for example, managers in a conventionalcompany may try to promote creative thinking

by attening their organization or by adoptinga joined autocratic style. The real ity, however,is that the manger alone retains the real power.Thus, conventional businesses are organized,but they are not self-organizing. Only adynamic governance structure, that is, onein which all the members are fundamentallyequal, fundamentally not trapped in a boss-servant relationship, supports the naturalphenomenon of self-organization.


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Conclusion

This article introduced dynamic governance,a new method of decision-making andorganizational governance. It included twodetailed examples of the decision-makingmethod in day-to-day operation and outlinedthe governance system. It made brief mentionof the discipline of dynamic engineering thatdevelops existing work processes to makethem more easily steered.

Dynamically governed businesses, educationalinstitutions and nonprot organizations aresignicantly different from their conventional

counterparts in many ways, ranging from jobsatisfaction to overall nancial viability. Thedynamic governance method is an emptytool, useful where and whenever people areorganized.

Still relatively new, dynamic governance isa methodology with tremendous untappedbenets. It lends itself well to partial use orfull implementation.

Dynamic governance has considerableunexplored potential for many areas ofhuman endeavor. Those who are able to seethe potential gains from dynamic governancewil l be invaluable to their organizations.These early adopters wil l be responsible fortransforming their associated institutions inways that enable everyone involved in theorganization, as well as the organizationsthemselves, to achieve their full potential.


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Selected Bibliography and RelatedResources

Much of the literature on dynamic governanceis in Dutch; however, there are magazinearticles in other languages, includingEnglish, French, German, Spanish, Italianand Arabic. Readers may obtain copies ofthese articles through the Global SociocraticCenter in Rotterdam, Netherlands viawww.sociocracy.biz or from the Center forSociocratic Governance in Washington,DC, USA via www.sociocracy.info or www.sociocraticgovernance.org. Also available in

English is: We the People: Consenting to a DeeperDemocracyby John Buck and Sharon Villines,available from www.amazon.com, and twobooks by Gerard Endenburg: Sociocracy: TheOrganization of Decision-making, and the morerecent book Sociocracy as Social Design.

C. A. Cannegieters book The Human Aspectsof Economics: A Treatise on Unemployment,

Ination, and World Poverty (Exposition press,Smithtown, New York 1982, pages 150-184) gives a good overview of variousearly sociocratic initiatives and contains anextensive bibliography.

Books about dynamic governance arealso available in French. We particularlyrecommend La Democratie se Meurt, Vive laSociocratie by Gilles Charest, 2007, availablefrom www.sociogest.ca.

While a number of books are available ongeneral systems theory, we particularly

suggest General Systems Theory: Essential Conceptsand Applications, by Anatol Rapoport (AbacusPress, Cambridge, Massachusetts); Cybernetics,Articial Intelligence and Ecolog y: Proceedings of the

4thAnnual Symposium of the American Society for

Cybernetics, edited by Herbert W. Robinsonand Douglas E. Knight (Spartan Books, New

York); and The Macroscope, Joel de Rosnay,translated from French by Robert Edwards(Harper & Row, New York).

For more information on the scienticapproach to synergetics, we recommendHerman Hakens Synergetics: Non-equilibriumPhase Transitions and Self-Organization in Physics,

Chemistry, Biology, and Sociolog y, (2nd Edition,Springer Verlag, New York 1978); and ErichJantschs The Self-Organizing Universe(PergamonPress, New York 1979) which discusses

Prigogines work with self-organizingdissipative structures. Jantschs book does notrequire facility with mathematics; however,familiarity with calculus and linear algebraare helpful for both of Hakens books.These scientic approaches contrast to morephilosophical treatments of synergetics suchas Buckminster Fullers Synergetics(MacMillanPublishing Co., New York 1975), whichseems less subject to empirical vericationand practical application.

Dynamic governance carries the modern drifttoward power equalization in employment toits logical conclusion. The power equalizationmilieu can be seen from a number ofperspectives, and the following list is aselection of various viewpoints: Introduction toManagement Science by Thomas M. Cook andRobert A. Russell (Prentice-Hall Inc., NewJersey 1977); Megatrends: Ten New DirectionsTransforming Our Livesby John Naisbitt (Warner

books, inc., New York 1982); The Social Scienceof Organizations Four Perspectives by Henry A.Latane, David Mechanic, George Strauss, andGeorge B. Strother (Prentice-Hall Inc. NewJersey, 1963); In Search of Excellenceby ThomasJ. Peters and Robert H. Waterman, Jr. (Harperand Row, New York 1982);Another Way of Life


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by Patricia Baum (G.P. Putnams Sons, NewYork 1973); Utopian Thought in the Western Worldby Frank E. Manuel and Fritzie P. Manuel

(The Belknap Press of the Harvard UniversityPress, Cambridge 1979); What do Unions Do?By Richard B. Freeman and James L. Medoff(Basic Books, Inc., New York 1984); The NorthWill Rise Again by Jeremy Riin and RandyBarber (Beacon Press, Boston 1978);A Piece ofthe Actionby Stuart M. Speiser (Van NostrandReinhold company, New Yo9rk, 1977);Creating the Corporate Futureby Russell Ackoff(John Wiley and Sons, New York 1981);Beyond Majority Rule: Voteless Decisions in the

Religious Society of Friendsby Michael J. Sheeran(Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the ReligiousSociety of Friends, Philadelphia 1983); andDynamic Administration: the Collected Papers of

Mary Parker Follett edited by E. Fox and L.Urwick (Pitman Publishing, New York 1973).Finally, there is the pioneering work of RensisLikert. One can follow the development ofhis thought in three books: New Patterns ofManagement (McGraw-Hill, New York 1961);The Human Organization (McGraw-Hill, New

York 1976) and New Ways of Managing Conict(McGraw-Hill, New York 1976). Likert andAssociates, Inc., of Ann Arbor, Michigan, arecontinuing Likerts work.

More recent publications of interest include:Quest for Prosperity by Konosuke Matsushita(PHP Institute, Kyoto, Japan, 1988), TheRise and Fall of Strategic Planning by HenryMintzberg (Free Press, New York, 1994) andBuilt to Last by James Collins and Jerry Porras

(Harper Business, New York, 1994) for adiscussion of a broader vision for businesses;Planning for Qualityby Joseph M. Juran (FreePress, New York, 1988) for a discussion ofquality concepts with a human face; The FifthDiscipline by Peter Senge (Doubleday, NewYork, 1990) for insights into systems thinking

applied to a business environment; Managingon the Edge by Richard Pascale (Viking Books,New York, 1990) and Leading the Revolutionby

Gary Hamel (Harvard Business School Press,Boston, 2002) for descriptions of the needfor dynamic steering and development tocope with constantly changing environments;Complexity by Mitchell Waldrop (Simon &Shuster, New York, 1992) and Competing forthe Future by Gary Hamel and C.K. Prahalad(Harvard Business School Press, Boston,1994) for a review of concepts of chaos,complexity, and self-organization, andstrategic thinking as they apply to business;

Reengineering the Corporationby James Champyand Michael Hammer (Harper Business, NewYork, 1993) for techniques that are relatedin part to dynamic engineering; EmotionalIntelligence by Daniel Goleman (Bantam, NewYork, 1997) and The Living Company: Habitsfor Survival in a Turbulent Business Environment

by Arie de Geus (Harvard Business SchoolPress, Boston, 1997) for an in-depth analysisof the importance of human-to-humanskills a strong rationale for using dynamic

governance to govern.

A recent journal article of note is: Romme,A. Georges and Endenburg, Gerard,Construction Principles and Design Rulesin the Case of Circular Design, OrganizationScience: a Journal of the Institute of Management

Sciences. 17 (2):287. Interesting mathematicalexploration of self-organization is describedin Klarreich, Erica. 2006. The Mind ofthe Swarm. Science News,170:347. Also,

Millius, Susan, Swarm Savvy, How bees,ants and other animals avoid dumb collectivedecisions, May 9th, 2009; Vol. 175 #10 (p.16). Finally, look for Tom Seeleys book,Honeybee Democracy,due out in 2010.


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About the Authors

Gerard Endenburg

A citizen of The Netherlands, GerardEndenburg received his high schooleducation at De Werkplaats, in Bilthoven, aninnovative and inuential school. The school,founded by educational and social theoristKees Boeke, operated under a consensusdecision-making system derived after theQuaker model for use in a secular setting. Oncompletion of his college studies in electricalengineering and radar technology and hismandatory military service, Gerard worked

for a while for Philips Electronics where hewas instrumental in obtaining a patent forthe at speakers now used in many personalelectronic devices including cell phones. Hethen joined Endenburg Elektrotechniek,Inc., the electrical engineering companyheaded by his father. His parents establishedthe company shortly after World War II asa practical laboratory to try out their ideasabout management and industrial reform.Gerard became general manager in 1968, a

position he held for 30 years. He remained onthe board circle of the company until 2007.

Inspired by Boekes ideas, his engineeringtraining in systems theory, and work in theeld of synergetics, Gerard developed a systemof decision-making based on the principle ofconsent, which could be added to the existingfunctional structure of any organization,regardless of its size or objective: dynamicgovernance, known in the Netherlands as the

sociocratic circle-organization method. In1970, Gerard started to introduce this modelinto the factory. The rst reports on thedynamic governance experiment appearedin the prestigious Dutch daily newspaperNRC-Handelsblad in 1974. A year later, he

published his rst book, Sociocratie, een redelijkideal (Sociocracy, a Reasonable Ideal).

He helped found the Sociocratisch Centrumin 1977 to coordinate and to encourage thegrowing number of Dutch organizations thatwere adopting dynamic governance and tosupport the interest expressed from countriesthroughout the world. The Center noworganizes lectures, seminars and trainingcourses on dynamic governance and has

overseen its implementation in numerousorganizations.

In 1981 Gerard published his second book,Sociocratie, de Organisatie van de Besluitvorming

(Sociocracy, the Organization of Decision-making).

This book was launched at a press conferenceattended by Dr. W. Albeda, then NetherlandsMinister of Social Affairs. The succeedingMinister of Social Affairs, Dr. J. de Koning,launched Gerards Sociocratisch Manifest(Sociocratic Declaration)at a press conference in1984. In 1991 Gerard was awarded a PhD for hiswork with dynamic governance (sociocracy).His thesis is published in Sociocracy as SocialDesign.Today, Gerard remains involved in theactivities of the Sociocratisch Centrum andthe Global Sociocratic Center from his seaton board circle and teaches in the businessschool of the University of Maastricht.


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John A. Buck

John is a certied dynamic governanceconsultant. After receiving a BA in Englishfrom Brown University, John worked forthe Boeing Corporation as a technical writerand then for the U.S. Federal AviationAdministration (FAA) in Washington, D.C.,where he earned the Secretary of Departmentof Transportations Award for MeritoriousAchievement for his pioneering workwith information technology. He workedsubsequently as a project manager for the

Harris Corporation, managing more than200 people in a global information systemsinstallation and training project for the U.S.Department of State. In this position, Johnused many dynamic governance systemsconcepts. The project received ISO 9000certication and consistently outstandingratings from it State Department clients. Heearned a Masters Degree from The GeorgeWashington University in 1999 in QuantitativeSociology. His thesis examined several

dynamically governed organizations in theNetherlands. It demonstrated statistically thatthe staff of those companies had a signicantlyhigher commitment to their organizationsthan typical Dutch workers. His publicationsinclude numerous professional articlesabout aspects of personnel managementand automation, including techniques forestablishing upward mobility programs,new concepts for human resource programevaluation, and strategies for designing and

implementing new technology systems.

John established GovernanceAl ive LLCin 2006 from which he and others nowtrain and consult full time on dynamicgovernance. In 2009 Sharon Villines, GregRouillard, and he established the Center forSociocratic Governance, a nonprot locatedin Washington, DC, USA whose mission isto increase public awareness and developthe ability of individuals and organizationsto apply the principles and methods ofsociocratic governance. It currently offers

discussion lists and publications, sponsorsconferences, and facilitates access to trainingcourses. For more information about theCenter, see: www.sociocraticgovernance.org.

John has three children and lives with hiswife in Silver Spring, Maryland.

For further information, contact John at:[email protected].


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For further informationemail [email protected]

call 800-870-2092 Copyright Sociocratic Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands 2003

Creative Forces of Self Organization

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