Knowledge in Motion - Best of the Month (9)

June 2023

… it’s the “Aha moment!” when we re-read what transforms.

The goal with this digest is to provide you with some quotes from the posts published during the month along with practical prompts and questions to use in 1:1 meetings, coaching sessions, and to inspire themes for larger team meetings.

• "How did we get here?" should always come before "Now let's go there!"

• The Chesterton's fence metaphor is a useful thinking tool that illustrates the importance of understanding the reasons behind existing structures, practices and systems before attempting to change them. It doesn’t matter if those reasons are wrong or illogical, what matters is that there is a reason to be first understood; so until we can explain it, better not to touch the fence.

• For leadership, the metaphor of Chesterton's fence is a reminder of the importance of asking (better) questions, seeking to understand, and avoiding the temptation to disrupt structures and change systems without first being clear about the reasons for things being the way they are.

• Chesterton’s Fence asks “and why is it done that way?”

  Second-Order thinking asks “and then what?”

Questions and prompts to use with your team:

1. How can we apply the concept of Chesterton's Fence to our organization's approach to change? Do we take the time to understand the existing structures, practices, and systems before initiating change so it leads to more effective and sustainable transformations?

2. In what ways can we encourage our team to embrace the principles of Chesterton's Fence? How can we foster a culture of asking better questions, seeking to understand the underlying reasons, and avoiding hasty disruption of established practices without clarity first on the details of the problem to solve at hand?

3. How can we ensure that our pursuit of change is based on a thoughtful evaluation of the status quo, rather than being driven solely by the allure of novelty?

4. How can we integrate the concept of second-order thinking into our decision-making processes? How might considering the potential consequences and impacts of our decisions into the future help us anticipate challenges and seize opportunities amidst change?

5. As we navigate the fast-paced world of change, how can we empower our senior leadership team to be anticipatory and proactive? How might we encourage them to take the time for reflection, analysis, and understanding before driving transformation, thus ensuring that change is guided by wisdom and foresight?

• Chaos theory states that small (even tiny) changes in initial conditions have the potential to escalate to much bigger differences in the future. If something is highly sensitive to subtle changes in its trajectory, the future state is very difficult to predict.

• We tend to assume that problems have single and proximal causes, but as interdependency increases we must learn to think in new ways.

  • The best answer to this flaw is to cultivate ‘systems thinking’, a set of synergistic analytical skills that helps make sense of complexity by looking at the whole and analyzing the interdependencies and relationships within the system.

• “wars are decided in the decades before they begin, not by the sudden appearance of an event.”

• By getting some understanding of chaos theory and the science of complexity, we can gain a fresh perspective on leadership in a world where uncertainty reigns.

  • Just as the flaps of a butterfly can affect bigger things at distant spaces, anyone in a role of leadership has to navigate a complex and interconnected landscape where small unplanned actions can have significant and unpredictable consequences, perhaps greater than bigger planned actions.

Questions and prompts to use with your team:

1. How can we leverage the principles of chaos theory, which emphasize the profound impact of small, initial actions on complex systems, to enhance our decision-making process?

   1. Can we capitalize on the "butterfly effects" within our organization to drive positive change?

2. How might the science of complexity guide us in understanding the intricate relationships and interdependencies within our organization? How can we adopt a holistic perspective that considers both the visible and hidden dynamics, allowing us to make more informed and strategic choices?

3. What insights can we gain from the proverb "For want of a nail, the shoe was lost…"? How can we apply this concept to our daily operations, highlighting the critical importance of seemingly minor actions and their potential cascading effects?

4. How can we shift our mindset to not only tolerate but embrace uncertainty and emergence in our decision-making? How might we foster a culture that welcomes unexpected outcomes and views them as opportunities for growth and adaptation?

5. How can we elevate our thinking to navigate complexity with confidence and resilience? What strategies can we employ to encourage our team to seek patterns, experiment with diverse solutions, and remain agile in the face of ever-changing circumstances?

• Like secret recipes, rituals had the strange ability to create a sense of purpose, foster unity and collaboration, and enhance performance. Rituals can have a profound impact on individuals and groups. Rituals provide structure, meaning, and a shared sense of identity within a team. Rituals create focusand provide clarity. What is even more important, rituals transform siloed teams into communities, moving expectations from the dangerous “me” to the powerful “we”.

• In Argentina, mate is more than just a beverage; it is a cultural ritual deeply ingrained in daily life The process of preparing mate involves attention to detail, patience, and a commitment to craftsmanship. Similarly, leadership requires attention, preparation, patience, and dedication to developing oneself and others.

• In leadership, building trust, fostering unity and collaboration among team members is essential for achieving high performance.

Questions and prompts to use with your team:

1. What are the existing rituals within our team, and how are they contributing to our performance and culture? How can we identify and implement rituals that align with our team's values and goals, creating a shared language and experience that promotes high performance?

   1. In what ways can the communal nature of mate drinking serve as an inspiration to foster a sense of unity, collaboration, and shared purpose within our team?

2. How might rituals serve as anchors in times of change or uncertainty? How can we use rituals to provide a sense of stability, consistency, and continuity, even in the face of challenges, so they can foster a resilient team culture?

3. How can we enhance team relationships and communication through the power of rituals? How might intentional rituals create opportunities for team members to connect on a deeper level, building trust, empathy, and camaraderie that contribute to high-performance outcomes?

4. How can we encourage team members to co-create and personalize rituals that resonate with their individual strengths and preferences? How might this sense of ownership lead to a more engaged and empowered team, driving innovative approaches and boosting overall psychological safety and performance?