© Human Systems Dynamics Institute. 1 Finding the Fix that Fits: Human Systems Dynamics at Work November 28, 2007 Self-Organizing: Unleash the Power Glenda H. Eoyang, Ph.D.

2 Your Guide... Glenda Eoyang Glenda H. Eoyang, Ph.D. Self-Organizing Meaning making Families and friendships Seminars at St. Johns Students in the laboratory Client cultures My own employees The HSD Institute The network of HSDP Associates

Finding the Fix that Fits Introduction: The Fix that FitsOctober 3, 2007 Session 1: Self-OrganizingNovember 28, 2007 Session 2: Fingerprints of ChaosDecember 19, 2007 Session 3: Adaptive ActionJanuary 9, 2008 Session 4: Mental Model GymnasticsFebruary 20, 2008 Session 5. Seeing and InfluencingMarch 5, 2008 Session 6: Shaping PossibilitiesApril 16,

Today we will.... Use the idea of patterns to engage with the world. Recognize self-organizing patterns in physical and human systems. Consider how you, as a change agent, influence and are influenced by self-organizing patterns. Apply three lessons of self-organizing change to your own situation. 4

What do we mean by patterns? Similarities, differences, and relationships that have meaning across space and/or time Examples: Team Corporate culture Performance Quality Leadership 5

What do we mean by patterns? Similarities, differences, and relationships that have meaning across space and/or time Examples: Team Corporate culture Performance Quality Leadership 6

What do we mean by patterns? Similarities, differences, and relationships that have meaning across space and/or time Examples: Team Corporate culture Performance Quality Leadership 7

Patterns in Human Systems Self-Organize Pattern: Similarities Differences Relationships Meaning across space and time Each actor influences the patterns. The patterns change over time. Sometimes the pattern is predictable and sometimes it isnt. 8

Complex Adaptive System (CAS) Self-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 9

Self-Organizing Systems Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) Agents System-wide Patterns 10

How is it different? Other-Organized change is... Predictable Constraining Stable End-determined Rigid Reliable Comfortable Self-organizing change is... Unpredictable Freeing Unstable End-unknown Flexible Surprising Comfortable 11

Think of a self-organizing system you work or play with. Who/what are the agents? What are the patterns? Similarities? Differences? Relationships? Meanings in space and/or time? How does the emergent pattern influence the agents in future cycles? 12

If you wanted to change the pattern, what would you do? 13 Change the similarities Change the differences Change the relationships

14 PatternsBehaviors Environment 1 Pattern Forming Process AKA Loopy Diagram Act Agent Observe 2 Decide 3 Tools See patterns Learn Plan Design Manage change Resolve conflicts Evaluate performance Adapt Human Systems Dynamics (HSD) 4

15 PatternsBehaviors Environment 1 How can the process go wrong? Act Agent Observe 2 Decide 3 Tools See patterns Learn Plan Design Manage change Resolve conflicts Evaluate performance Adapt Human Systems Dynamics (HSD) 4 The agent may be disconnected from the environment so he or she sees only what is expected or desired.

16 PatternsBehaviors Environment 1 Pattern Forming Process AKA Loopy Diagram Act Agent Observe 2 Decide 3 Tools See patterns Learn Plan Design Manage change Resolve conflicts Evaluate performance Adapt Human Systems Dynamics (HSD) 4 The agent may not be an effective learner, so that past experience doesnt inform current action.

17 PatternsBehaviors Environment 1 Pattern Forming Process AKA Loopy Diagram Act Agent Observe 2 Decide 3 Tools See patterns Learn Plan Design Manage change Resolve conflicts Evaluate performance Adapt Human Systems Dynamics (HSD) 4 The agent may not have a rich, varied or accessible toolkit to inform observation, decision, and action.

To improve your interactions with self-organizing environments, ask yourself three questions: 18 1.What are my connections with the emerging behaviors and patterns? How am I collecting data about the patterns as they emerge? What am I observing? Am I open to surprises? How am I taking action to influence behaviors? Are the systems reactions to me constant or changing? How might I observe and act more effectively to influence the emerging patterns?

To improve your interactions with self-organizing environments, ask yourself three questions: 19 2.How effectively am I learning from experience? What am I doing to improve my observation? How effective are my decision-making processes? What are my options for action? What are the links between what I see, how I decide, and the actions I take? How can I use what I learn to increase my adaptive capacity?

To improve your interactions with self-organizing environments, ask yourself three questions: 20 3.How can I improve the tools I have at my disposal? How many different tools and methods can I use well? Do I have effective supports for observing? deciding? acting? If I use tools by habit, how can I challenge myself? What mentors and teachers do I have who can enrich my toolbox? How might I partner with others who have competencies that I lack?

Consider your own self-organizing situation... 1.What are my connections with the emerging behaviors and patterns? 2.How effectively am I learning from experience? 3.How can I improve the tools I have at my disposal? 21

Today we have.... Used the idea of patterns to engage with the world. Recognized self-organizing patterns in physical and human systems. Considered how you, as a change agent, influence and are influenced by self-organizing patterns. Applied three lessons of self-organizing change to your own situation. 22

Your Assignment (if you choose to accept it) Use the Pattern Forming Process to analyze a current challenge. Consider what lies in each of the boxes. Reflect on the lists of questions. Identify at least three ways that you might improve how interact with this particular self-organizing challenge. Share your findings with others by uploading your reflective essay to the discussion room. 23

Finding the Fix that Fits Introduction: The Fix that FitsOctober 3, 2007 Session 1: Self-OrganizingNovember 28, 2007 Session 2: Fingerprints of ChaosDec 19, 2007 Session 3: Adaptive ActionJanuary 9, 2008 Session 4: Mental Model GymnasticsFebruary 20, 2008 Session 5. Seeing and InfluencingMarch 5, 2008 Session 6: Shaping PossibilitiesApril 16,

25 THANKS! HSD in Action means that you can AND