The iceberg model is a valuable tool for encouraging the systems thinking that is important for seeing an issue or challenge as part of a larger system. By asking you to connect a single or occuring event or issue to patterns of behaviour, systems structures, and mental models, the iceberg allows you to see the structures underlying the event. Just like an iceberg, 90% of these structures are hidden below the surface. However, if you can...
The iceberg model is a valuable tool for encouraging the systems thinking that is important for seeing an issue or challenge as part of a larger system. By asking you to connect a single or occuring event or issue to patterns of behaviour, systems structures, and mental models, the iceberg allows you to see the structures underlying the event. Just like an iceberg, 90% of these structures are hidden below the surface. However, if you can...
Our youngest son wasn’t quite three years old at the time when his older brother unexpectedly gave him one of his coveted GI Joes so they could play together. As the result of being the recipient of such unexpected generosity, he turned to me, grinned, and said, “Mommy, that’s collaboration.” While I was sure a child with that kind of a vocabulary was a genius, upon questioning, I soon realized that he had simply absorbed collaboration...
The Path to Collaboration Station We're not just celebrating our 10th Anniversary as Campus for Communities of the Future with cake. Instead we're at a very new, and slightly scary beginning that evolved as we supported and learned from individuals, organizations, businesses, neighbourhoods, and communities as they strengthened their leadership and organizational capacity for complexity. It is also the result of a sometimes messy and vast...
Like many others, I’ve learned about both personal and work-related partnerships by being part of some that were good and some I’d rather not think about. As with a good marriage, a good partnership has the potential to enrich who you are, what you do, and how you do it. I’ve often thought partnerships could be compared to fabric. Even though one’s existing fabric might be fine, it can be enriched and strengthened by the right partner...
My mother has a sense of style that hasn’t let up even as she’s moved into her 90’s. She loves quality clothing and has a clear understanding of what styles and colours look best on her. When I talked to her recently, she shared that when she had been out for her daily walk, a young woman she estimated to be in her early 20’s was walking her dog on the opposite side of the street. To her surprise, the woman, crossed the street to speak...
Albert Einstein once said, The definition of genius is taking the complex and making it simple. He also said, Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. Yet, making things simpler is not for the faint of heart, because ultimately it means everyone should be able to understand and use the knowledge, plan, or resource being shared regardless of their experience, cultural background, literacy, or learning style. In other...
The world is fundamentally transforming technologically, economically, socially and politically. The ongoing transformation needs to be shaped by appropriate policies and institutions. There are no simple, ready-made solutions. What we urgently need are pragmatic and future-oriented actions, even in the form of small steps, to provide positive narratives. Klaus Schwab, Founder, World Economic Forum |
In my younger years as a grassroots activist I proudly wore a t-shirt that said, “Think Globally. Act Locally”. While I knew the slogan was suggesting we all needed to consider the health of the entire planet and to take action in our communities, I’m not sure until now I really understood how I could make the world a priority when just local on its own was often so daunting. As a result, my work instead focused first on community-led...
Last week I got a call from a friend who I haven’t heard from in many, many years. As we caught up, it became clear he’s done a fabulous job of developing a business that grew steadily and become very successful. Like me, he’s worked really hard and has taken risks. Whereas his path was relatively straightforward, mine was somewhat different. My track record with employers together with a sometimes painful and lonely climb, was reflected...
