Donella Meadows proposed a list of suggestions to consider as likely areas for systems change. Her list is not, by her own admission, a definitive one and should be viewed as a guide. By considering the possible leverage points we can more easily consider carefully where we might intervene. Caution must be exercised as complex systems are often counterintuitive in their reactions. References Donella Meadows Institute, Leverage Pointsplaces to intervene in a … Read more
GeoRelations and Design Where places, spaces and people meet
GeoRelations and Design where we explore and work with the relationships within specific places and spaces of different scales, from countries, regions and cities, to villages, buildings and rooms. There is also online space and our inner space. Together, we then prepare and design these places and spaces so that they can receive the seeds of the new/ the next that wants to be planted and emerge there. Preparing the soil is a metaphor for preparing and clear our systems to receive … Read more
Empowered Fundraising Raising funds through building relationships
See the need to fundraise as an opportunity to build community. In asking someone for money, we are actually offering them the opportunity to engage with a meaningful project and with us personally. Who is really giving here? The aim is to build diverse networks of support and ongoing engagement. We also see that even when we receive a ‘no’ there is an opportunity to gain new information and to build our networks. References: ● Twist,Lynne The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our … Read more
The 5 Dimensions of Sustainability Designing our ventures and projects in a holistic way
The Ecovillage Design Mandala was created by ecovillage educators in 2004, as the core symbol of the Ecovillage Design Education (EDE). This map describes a holistic map for sustainable design and development, embracing the social, worldview, ecological and economic dimensions of sustainability. The mandala can be applied to systems on all levels: to the life of an individual, to an organization or enterprise, an intentional community, traditional village, urban neighbourhood, region, etc. … Read more
Holistic Business and SelfOrganisation The Emergence of the Global Village
We can view humanity as being separate from Nature or being an integral part of it. If we choose the latter view, then we ought to look to Nature to be our teacher. If we do this, we see the following principles at work: ● holism : where all parts of a system are recognised and the parts together add up to more than the whole. ● emergence : we can try to plan for every eventuality and control external events (people, situations and so on) or we can allow ourselves to be led by life and … Read more
Art of Hosting A way of harnessing the collective wisdom and selforganizing capacity of groups.
The Art of Hosting is an approach to leadership that scales up from the personal to the systemic using personal practice, dialogue, facilitation and the cocreation of innovation to address complex challenges. Different methods and techniques are framed under this umbrella that understands that the way of hosting is an invitation that makes a meaningful difference in the way that people and groups interact. Practitioners report improved decision making, capacity building and ability to … Read more
Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development A 5 Level Model for Planning in Complex Systems.
This five level model helps us to plan for success. By understanding the system within which we are working we can more clearly define what success looks like within that system. This allows us to be strategic, to develop tactics, tools and metrics. To rephrase: it allows us to understand the tools and metrics we need to carry out the actions required to be strategic, to achieve success within the system. References: The Natural Step, Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development, … Read more
Dragon Dreaming A living systems approach to building successful organisations and projects based upon three principles of personal growth, community building and service to the Earth
Dragon Dreaming is an inspiring, encouraging and meaningful opensource method for assisting individuals and groups who seek to make their dreams come true. It offers simple and playful holistic tools for visionary initiation processes, planning, implementation, evaluation and celebration. Through different theories, tools, tips and techniques it supports the improvement of the effectiveness in the everyday work and life. Dragon Dreaming, first developed by John Croft and Vivienne … Read more
People and Permaculture To facilitate change and turn our ideas into reality.
It can be used for a wide variety of designs, from our own personal health to our family life, from community groups to schools, from healthcare systems to international development projects. The web has 12 anchor points, each focusing on a different are to build up a detailed, holistic picture of where we want to go and how we are going to get there. References: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability; David Holmgren; Permanent Publications, 2002 People & Permaculture; Looby … Read more
Theory U How to lead and cocreate from the emerging yet unknown future
Successful leadership depends on the quality of attention and intention that the leader brings to any situation. The nature of the inner place in leaders is something of a mystery to us. At its core, leadership is about shaping and shifting how individuals and groups attend to and subsequently respond to a situation. Learning to recognize the habits of attention in a business culture requires, among other things, a particular kind of listening. Theory U, initiated by Otto Scharmer, speaks … Read more
