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Unleashing the Power of Social Invention Remarkable results come from unleashing the immense power of grassroots creativity, boundary-crossing collaboration, and decentralized networks. A deep well of social inventiveness and self-organizing capability is held in vast reserves... just under the surface.
As leaders and managers, we achieve remarkable results by tapping this well. To move forward together, we take responsibility without being in control, we make timely decisions where no precedents exist, we shape direction from the top while depending on multiple local insights, we gain effectiveness while encouraging inefficient experimentation, and we ask others to change while in the process of changing ourselves. Perfectly paradoxical and wildly effective. examples 
Complexity science offers inspiration and guidance, drawing attention to how order and novel innovations arise from within messy situations... when agreement, evidence and certainty are in short supply. The science suggests that moving forward can be facilitated by working with uncertainty, surprise, paradox and messy flux. NOT trying to plan, over-control, smooth over difference, or force agreement and alignment. It suggests an approach that relies on the creative adaptability and social inventiveness of people facing complex challenges. principles I am because we are. African proverb | Subtle-Yet-Powerful Approaches Unlikely as it may seem, exploring complexity science reveals perfectly simple approaches to positive change. Many complicated, control-heavy practices fade away. Happy surprises often include: finding direction without formal planning; improving without someone else's best practices; working through difficult tensions without therapy; changing creatively without a training program or resistance; and, spreading innovations without an incentive plan or buy-in strategy. take the litmus test What is accepted is no longer valid, what is valid is not yet accepted. Jamshid Gharajedaghi
Liberating Structures Liberating Structures are the processes and methods that make it easy for groups of people to liberate their energy, tap into their collective intelligence, be creative, adaptable, build on each other's ideas, and get results. They are simple to learn and can be applied to individual, organizational, or community challenges. read more To be prepared against surprise is to be trained. To be prepared for surprise is to be educated. James P. Carse | What We Do In close partnership with clients, we think together strategically and work collaboratively. We take on complex challenges of all stripes -- big opportunities and entangled problems. sample client challenges
Each consulting, teaching, designing, and facilitating engagement is customized to fit your situation, needs, and culture. Keith often works in partnership with scholars, like-minded consultants, business leaders, and the Plexus Institute. more on partners Not hammer strokes, but the dance of water sings the pebbles to perfection. R. Tagore
Keith McCandless 206.324.9332 Seattle, Washington USA 98122-4533 Let's talk. |
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