1 finding the fix that fits: human systems dynamics at work april 16, 2008 seeing and influencing...

1

Finding the Fix that Fits:Finding the Fix that Fits:Human Systems Dynamics at WorkHuman Systems Dynamics at Work

April 16, 2008April 16, 2008

Seeing and Influencing (continued)

Shaping Possibilities

Glenda H. Eoyang, Ph.D.

geoyang@hsdinstitute.org April 2008 1© 2007. Human Systems Dynamics Institute.

Finding the Fix that FitsFinding the Fix that FitsIntroduction: The Fix that Fits October 3, 2007

Session 1: Self-Organizing November 28, 2007

Session 2: Fingerprints of Chaos December 19, 2007

Session 3: Adaptive Action January 9, 2008

Session 4: Mental Model Gymnastics February 20, 2008

Session 5. Seeing and Influencing March 5, 2008

Session 6: Shaping Possibilities

April 16, 2008

Your Next Assignment Your Next Assignment (if you choose to accept it)(if you choose to accept it)

Consider a current sticky issue for you.Define the relevant containers, differences, and

exchanges.Decide how you might want the pattern to change.Pick one action to shift one of the conditions.Take the action.Be prepared to report.

Your Guide . . . Glenda EoyangYour Guide . . . Glenda EoyangGlenda H. Eoyang, Ph.D.Glenda H. Eoyang, Ph.D.geoyang@hsdinstitute.orggeoyang@hsdinstitute.org

The CDE Model helps me understand the dynamics of human systems around me.

BUT, my habits, assumptions, and prior expectations keep me stuck in the old way of action.

A short list of questions helps me identify my options for action.

Today we will . . . .Today we will . . . .

Complete our discussion about the CDE Model for the conditions for self-organizing.

Explore seven simple questions that help leaders cope with unpredictable change.

Close this webinar series and look to the future.

Change Is ChangingChange Is Changing

Static Static

DynamicDynamic

DynamicalDynamical

Complex Adaptive System (CAS)Complex Adaptive System (CAS)Self-Organizing SystemSelf-Organizing System

A collection of individual agents, who have the freedom to act in unpredictable ways, and whose actions are interconnected such that they produce system-wide patterns.

Examples: termite colonies, stock markets, the Internet, gardens, human beings, groups of people

Self-Organizing SystemsSelf-Organizing SystemsComplex Adaptive Systems (CAS)Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS)

AgentsAgents

System-wide System-wide PatternsPatterns

What do we mean by What do we mean by “patterns”?“patterns”?

Similarities, differences, and relationships that have meaning across space and/or time

Examples:Responses to questionsLanguage of participantsDisciplinary identitiesDistinctions within and among teams

CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

Containers

Hold the system together until patterns form.

CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

Container examples: Physical spaces Goals Visionary leaders Personal affinities Identities Jargons Traditions Memberships Meeting times and places And . . .

Shift the Containers

More organized . . . Fewer Stronger Smaller

More unorganized . . . More Weaker Larger

How do you shift How do you shift containers in your containers in your

practice?practice?

Containers Differences

Establish the pattern and build tensions to motivate change.

CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

Containers Difference examples

Power Gender Experience Culture Ethnicity Location Discipline Pay scale Seniority And . . .

CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

Shift the Differences

More organized . . . Fewer Clearer Smaller

More unorganized . . . More Fuzzier Larger

How do you shift differences How do you shift differences in your practice?in your practice?

Containers Differences Exchanges

Connect agents together within the container and across differences.

CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

Containers Differences Exchange examples:

Money Respect Talk Emails Phone calls Touch Non-verbal And . . .

CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

Shift the Exchanges

More organized . . . Tighter

More unorganized . . . Looser

How do you shift How do you shift exchanges in your exchanges in your practice?practice?

Container Difference Exchange

What are the conditions?

How could you shift them to change the pattern?

CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

Facilitating Organization Change

One: Connections What connections help us adapt? How can we build stronger connections?

Facilitating Organization Change

Two: Emerging Goals What are our current goals? How do we know when those goals need to change?

Facilitating Organization Change

Three: Uncertainty How do we cope with uncertainty? How can we cope better?

Facilitating Organization Change

Four: Exploit differences What differences make a difference to us and our

clients? How can we make the most of those differences?

Facilitating Organization Change

Five: Find common ground What is our common ground? What do we share?

Facilitating Organization Change

Define success as “fit” What does “fit” mean to our partners? How can we improve our fit?

Facilitating Organization Change

Set conditions for self-organizing What conditions do we set for self-organizing? Can we do it better?

Container Difference Exchange

Finding the Fix that FitsFinding the Fix that FitsIntroduction: The Fix that Fits October 3, 2007

Session 1: Self-Organizing November 28, 2007

Session 2: Fingerprints of Chaos Dec 19, 2007

Session 3: Adaptive Action January 9, 2008

Session 4: Mental Model Gymnastics February 20

Session 5. Seeing and Influencing March 5, 2008

Session 6: Shaping Possibilities April 16, 2008

Today we have . . . .Today we have . . . .

Completed our discussion about the CDE Model for the conditions for self-organizing.

Explored seven simple questions that help leaders cope with unpredictable change.

Closed this webinar series and looked to the future.

ResourcesWebsites

www.hsdinstitute.org www.odnetwork.org/resources/HSD

Classes from HSD Institute HSD Professional certification Leadership Peace HSD Group

Books Coping with Chaos: Seven Simple Tools (Eoyang) Facilitating Organization Change (Olson & Eoyang) Voices from the Field (Eoyang, ed.)

Webinar Series June to November 2008

30

THANKS!THANKS!

HSD in Action means that you can

ANDAND