The Dragons of Complexity
When people tell you to “think outside the box,” they don’t tell you where the box ends and the future begins. That is why we find ourselves so often trapped in our own blind spots and assumptions, constrained by our ordinary (Newtonian) worldviews. The nonlinear sciences—complexity and chaos, as well as Integral theory—shine a light on those dark corners of reality, as well as the habits of mind that keep us stuck. In ancient times, maps of the world would show sea monsters and dragons on the edge of the known world. In this program, we call such mind-blowing — and habitually intractable — realities “dragons”. Hence, The Dragons of Complexity
In this program, the Human Systems Dynamics Institute (HSD) and The Collective Edge (TCE) expand their collaboration begun last year to introduce a new form of deliberate sensemaking to:
Explain in practical and understandable terms the nature of complex systems and dynamical change.
Empower you to see, understand, and influence patterns that emerge from complex systems.
Reveal the paradoxes that live in this new paradigm.
Challenge the habitual predict and plan mindsets that attempt to apply an outdated view to such systems, leading to us experiencing them as intractable.
Share tools and practices from the sense and respond worldview to help you adapt, even when you can’t predict or control, uncovering a new way of understanding, enough to inform action without needing certainty.
Create a deliberate sensemaking container within the cohort to help you connect with ideas and people that will sustain you and your clients through the turbulent future.
In seven 2.5-hour sessions, we will introduce the dynamics of complex adaptive systems through the lens of Human Systems Dynamic (HSD)s. You will integrate the interlocking disciplines that help us shift patterns in systems. You will apply what you learn to your wicked problems. In parallel, we will examine the constraints that are embedded within a predict and plan worldview mentality, that make dealing with complexity intractable. We will introduce a new worldview, combining the insights of both HSD and Integral thinking, known as sense and respond. This worldview is driven by an inquiry mindset, an iterative process, and a deliberate sensemaking approach. You will experience the power and possibility of this complexity-ready worldview through applying inquiry, adaptive action and collective sensemaking to your own and others’ wicked issues. We start by defining the difference between simple systems and complex adaptive systems.
Journey of the program
You will practice using models and methods from HSD to see, understand, and influence problematic patterns in emergent complexity. You will find ways to “ride” these dragons of complexity within a supportive yet challenging container. Here are some the topics we will explore:
Introduction – Discover the dragons of compexity. Integral sensemaking & Human Systems Dynamics.
Certainty is an Illusion – What do you do when you can’t know what to do?
Patterns instead of problems – How can nothing be intractable?
Difference is energy – How can you leverage difference to move a system forward?
Time is not a line – What does it mean to plan when you cannot predict or control?
Precision isn’t Accuracy – When can you know that less data gives you more understanding?
Riding the Dragons – Time to integrate all this and move towards action.
Who Would Benefit from Attending
Those responsible for organizational change initiatives, such as HR or OD professionals,
Agile organizational coaches, and other transformation leaders
Leaders, managers and others responsible for solving intractable issues in their organizations or in their communities
Writers, bloggers and researchers who work in the area of complexity
Anyone who feels trapped in chaos and uncertainty will benefit from this program