social capital: it matters, so why aren’t we measuring it? social capital: it matters, so why...
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Social Capital: It matters, Social Capital: It matters, so why aren’t we so why aren’t we measuring it?measuring it?September 29, 2014
Paul Horton, Principal, The Athena Group
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Many modern social challenges are highly complex in nature
The Era of Complexity
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3 Types of Complexity
• Dynamically complex – cause and effect relationships distant in time and space
• Generatively complex – don’t unfold in familiar or predictable ways
• Socially complex – individuals see the same things in very different ways
(Kahane 2010)
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Rapid Change, Uncertainty & Surprise Requires Adaptive Capacity
4 essential dynamics of adaptive capacity : Diversity Learning Self-organization Social capital and trust
(Missimer 2013)
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Social Capital = Trust, Norms, & Networks
“Trust is the chicken soup of social life”
Trust is defined here as:willingness of the individual to take a risk or make oneself vulnerableowillingness to invest (one’s time and energy) owillingness to examine one’s own assumptions and biases
Trust is defined here as:willingness of the individual to take a risk or make oneself vulnerableowillingness to invest (one’s time and energy) owillingness to examine one’s own assumptions and biases
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Social Capital = Trust, Norms, & Networks
NormsNorms
Networks = both the exchange of knowledge and information + the number and quality of social connections
Networks = both the exchange of knowledge and information + the number and quality of social connections
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The Role of Social Capital
Social capital and trust are two highly interrelated factors that are:
1. critical for improving the conditions for social cooperation
2. highly correlated with the success of multi-stakeholder or cross-sector planning in general
Social capital “enables solutions to collective action problems” Putnam
Social capital “enables solutions to collective action problems” Putnam
“…a lack of social capital encumbers daily life, limiting social and economic opportunities” (Rose-Ackerman, 2001)
“…a lack of social capital encumbers daily life, limiting social and economic opportunities” (Rose-Ackerman, 2001)
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Participatory Leadership & Social Capital
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Participatory Leadership (aka, Art of Hosting)
Participatory Leadership is a dialogue-based, participatory process architecture for engaging groups working on complex and interconnected challenges
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A Culture of PerformanceCore Methodologies
Open Space TechnologiesOpen Space
Technologies
Story TellingStory Telling
Appreciative Inquiry
Appreciative Inquiry
Action LearningAction Learning
World CafeWorld Cafe
Circle practiceCircle practice
Pro-Action CafePro-Action CafeCollective Mind
MappingCollective Mind
Mapping
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Principles Basic to all Methodologies
The wisdom is in the room
Self organization – the power to add, change, or evolve system structure
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Principles Basic to all Methodologies
Collective clarity of purpose – the invisible leader
We can learn to be OK with not knowing
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Participatory Leadership & Social Capital
Social capital (and in particular, trust creation) -- common denominators in the successful outcomes and almost viral-like spread of Participatory Leadership in places such as:
Columbus Ohio, the European Commission, Minnesota and Nova Scotia
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Social Capital Success Factors
High levels of trust A high degree of beneficial norms of
communication and working Robust, open flow of information and knowledge A large number of social connections High quality social connections Positive internal (process & culture) and external
(outcome & output) outcomes
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Social Capital Success Factors
Norms of Communication:People listen with attention to others and value all voicesPeople feel listed to and heardConversations are authentic, genuine and based on honestyPeople feel safe or have the courage to speak up, ask questions, and/or voice contrary opinionsPeople have ample time and space for reflection and self-awareness
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Social Capital Success Factors
Norms of Working:The organization’s or system’s purpose is clear and meaningfulMeetings have a clear purpose and/or vision of successDecision-making processes are clear and transparentThe decision-making structure is not overly hierarchical or rigidMeetings are inclusive and participatory
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Meta Success Factors
Changes towards a more open/supportive leadership style:
o willing to let go of some level of control and encourage shared leadership
o admit to not knowing all the answers o willing to slow down the decision-making
process to allow solutions to emerge Participatory Leadership as an “operating
system”
Changes towards a more open/supportive leadership style:
o willing to let go of some level of control and encourage shared leadership
o admit to not knowing all the answers o willing to slow down the decision-making
process to allow solutions to emerge Participatory Leadership as an “operating
system”
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A Social Capital Assessment Tool
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A Social Capital Assessment Tool
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A Social Capital Assessment Tool
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A Social Capital Assessment Tool
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A Social Capital Assessment Tool
