�
Develop
a lively intellectual curiosity and cross-department relationship so that you
can make connections between things. This will help you understand systems
better. Work to develop a
sense of unwarranted optimism.
�
Change your
language. Look for �ways to� and �why to�s� Finding multiple ways to
accomplish things puts focus on process. A dynamic system is one of process
that also happens to produce a product.
�
Learn to flow
with the content change of a dynamic system. Control is not possible, so
think of shaping instead. Give up the search for perfectionism. Learn to flow
by watching surfers, taking improvisational workshops, or dancing on slippery
floors. They all exist in a dynamic interplay between uncontrollable
conditions and our ability to respond to them.
�
Develop an eye
for patterns. Look for underlying order in your dynamic system.
�
Look for your
degrees of freedom, not what you can’t control. Some individuals focus on
what they can’t control. This causes stress and worry for the individual and
doesn’t really help one feel good about him or herself. Look for what you can
control. For example, you can’t control what’s on a test, but you can control
the amount of time you study. By identifying what you can control you find
the wiggle room within any situation. This points the way to what you can
shape.
�
Think of streams
of information and rhythms to decision making. Learn to keep pace with the
rhythm of your environment. A leader’s role may be in regulating the speed,
direction and rhythm of the organization to keep pace with external events.
�
Develop some
sense of peace with the unknown and the absence of understanding. Say
good-bye to certainty, predictability and single truths. Engage life; get on
the roller coaster.
�
Get used to
accelerating change and frequent surprises. Get in motion. People in motion
shape their future and enjoy it more. People resisting change experience
anger and fear. Both are sources of stress. Look at surprises as things that
help you see patterns
�
Let your head,
heart and intuition help you understand this world. A dynamic system is
understood through all of one’s senses, not just the brain. Understanding
also comes from being in the system, not separate from it.
�
Reach out to
people who have different perspectives. They help to contribute to a whole
picture of what’s happening. Talk with people. Collectively reflect on what’s
happening to see if you can identify patterns.
�
Develop your
inner balance. You will need an intangible anchor. Learn what you value. Be
able to state what you believe in and why. Your values provide balance.
�
Develop a fully
equipped tool chest. The more tools you add to your too chest, the more
problems you will be able to solve. Some of these tools might include being
able to reframe ideas and beliefs, nurturing intuition and feelings, and
cultivating an eye for patterns.
�
Develop a
sapling’s flexibility. Develop flexibility exercises for your mind, your
spirit, your body and your emotions.
�
Take time to
reflect. Reflection and understanding are rare commodities. Cultivate time in
your day to connect events and create possible meanings for them.
�
Look for
multiple right answers. We have been trained to search for right answers.
This means that when we encounter a different opinion, a competition begins
between people on “who is right.” This natural response decreases
our ability to learn from people who think and experience the world
differently from us. Stop thinking in rights and wrongs, better or worse,
higher or lower. Develop the language of different and equal.
�
Develop a sense
of sovereignty. Sovereignty is a sense of personal responsibility that one
has for his or her own life and the community in which he/she lives. If a
person has a sense of sovereignty, when he/she sees something wrong, he/she
thinks, “This is wrong. I must not let this pass.” This person
rights his or her wrong by asking and expecting others to help him or her.
Others in turn will help because it is the right thing to do.
�
Substitute
effectiveness for perfectionism. In a nonlinear, dynamic system the concept
of being perfect doesn’t apply. In a dynamic system, the state of being
perfect doesn’t last very long because of the rapidly changing nature of the
system.
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
From �Making Sense out of Chaos�
by Dr. Kathleen E.
Allen:
- Our world is changing and we are being pressured
to give up one way of thinking and searching for a new one that fits a
nonlinear dynamic system. This is going to require an attitude of
adventure on our parts. A poet, Ted Loder, wrote that: �He was tired of
being frightened into pretended gaiety. I’m sick of a string of �have a
nice days.� What I want is exciting days, passionate days, blessed days,
wondrous days, surprising days.� This is what’s in store for us:
exciting, surprising and passionate days. If we can give up our own
expectations that being competent is the same as being in control of our
lives, we will have accomplished the first step toward engaging life in
a different way�a way that paces the turbulence of a dynamic system.