1. 1 Finding the Fix that Fits: Human Systems Dynamics at Work March 5, 2008 Seeing and Influencing Glenda H. Eoyang, Ph.D. geoyang@hsdinstitute.org March 2008 1 © 2007. Human Systems Dynamics Institute.

2. 2 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 Influencing March 5, 2008  Session 6: Shaping PossibilitiesApril 16, 2008 2March 2008

3. 3 Your Last Assignment (if you chose to accept it) Implement the plan of action you defined as you considered the STAR and your generative group. Document changes you notice as a result. Reassess the STAR for the group. Be prepared to share your findings. 3 March 2008

4. 44 Your Guide... Glenda Eoyang Glenda H. Eoyang, Ph.D. geoyang@hsdinstitute.org I knew that self-organization:  Was useful in my practice.  Helped clients find options for action.  Matched my experience as consultant, leader, facilitator, trainer, and coach. What I didn’t know:  Why did it work more or less quickly?  Why did some groups seem never to get organized?  Why did some groups get stuck in one organized state and not seem to move?  What were the conditions that shaped the path, speed, and outcome of self- organizing processes? March 2008

5. 5 Today we will.... See how our concept of “change” is changing. Remind ourselves about self-organizing, complex adaptive systems in theory and practice. Learn conditions for self-organizing that allow us to see and influence patterns as they emerge. Practice using the conditions to generate options for action. 5March 2008

6. Change Is Changing Static Static Dynamic Dynamic Dynamical Dynamical

7. Examples of Change Changing Static—forces move from one fixed spot to another. Freeze, unfreeze, refreeze Pressure Resistance Dynamic—trajectory of change Organization “development” Kotter Storm, form, norm, perform Dynamical—unexpected jumps and surprises Tipping point Butterfly effect Unintended consequences March 20087

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 8

9. Self-Organizing Systems Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) Agents System-wide Patterns 9

10. © 2007. HSD Institute. All rights reserved. What do we mean by “patterns”? Similarities, differences, and relationships that have meaning across space and/or time Examples: Responses to questions Language of participants Disciplinary identities Distinctions within and among teams

11. CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing Containers Hold the system together until patterns form.

12. CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing Container examples:  Physical spaces  Goals  Visionary leaders  Personal affinities  Identities  Jargons  Traditions  Memberships  Meeting times and places  And...

13. Shift the Containers More organized... Fewer Stronger Smaller More unorganized... More Weaker Larger How do you shift containers in your practice? How do you shift containers in your practice?

14. Containers Differences Establish the pattern and build tensions to motivate change. CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

15. Containers Difference examples  Power  Gender  Experience  Culture  Ethnicity  Location  Discipline  Pay scale  Seniority  And... CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

16. Shift the Differences More organized... Fewer Clearer Smaller More unorganized... More Fuzzier Larger How do you shift differences in your practice? How do you shift differences in your practice?

17. Containers Differences Exchanges Connect agents together within the container and across differences. CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

18. Containers Differences Exchange examples:  Money  Respect  Talk  Emails  Phone calls  Touch  Non-verbal  And... CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

19. Shift the Exchanges More organized... Tighter More unorganized... Looser How do you shift exchanges in your practice? How do you shift exchanges in your practice?

20. Container Difference Exchange What are the conditions? How could you shift them to change the pattern? CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

21. Container Difference Exchange What are the conditions? How could you shift them to change the pattern? CDE Model Conditions for Self-Organizing

22. 22 Today we have.... Seen how our concept of “change” is changing. Reminded ourselves about self-organizing, complex adaptive systems in theory and practice. Learned conditions for self-organizing that allow us to see and influence patterns as they emerge. Practiced using the conditions to generate options for action. 22March 2008

23. 23 Your Next Assignment (if you choose to accept it) Consider a current sticky issue for you. Define the relevant containers, differences, and exchanges. Decide how you might want the pattern to change. Pick one action to shift one of the conditions. Take the action. Be prepared to report. 23 March 2008

24. 24 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  Session 5. Seeing and InfluencingMarch 5, 2008  Session 6: Shaping Possibilities April 16, 2008 24March 2008

25. 25 THANKS! HSD in Action means that you can AND March 2008