Complex Change: A Dozen Differences

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Complex ChangeA Dozen Differences
Glenda H. Eoyang, Ph.D.Human Systems Dynamics
InstituteIn collaboration with Organization
Development Network of Ottawa-Outaouais
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Your Guide . . . Glenda

• Glenda H. Eoyang, Ph.D.geoyang_at_hsdinstitute.org
• Executive DirectorHSD Institute
• Author
• Researcher
• Partner in Praxis

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Today you will . . .

• Identify 12 characteristics of change in a
  complex adaptive system
• Discover your own stories of complex change
• Connect with others who are coping with change
• Explore additional resources to expand your
  understanding

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1. Singularity

• Clients need better questions, not
  one-size-fits-all answers.
• What generative questions do you ask your
  clients?

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2. Praxis

• Understanding emerges from practice integrated
  with theory.
• How do you build your own praxis?

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3. Order for free

• Self-organizing human systems can give order
  for free.
• How do you use self-organizing potential?

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4. Dynamics

• Video tapes, not snap shots, help us
  understand dynamics in clients systems.
• How do you capture emerging patterns over time?

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5. Surprise

• Surprise is no longer surprising.
• How do you respond to the unexpected?

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6. Massively Entangled

• Clients systems are massively entangled between
  and among.
• What complex boundaries shape reality for you and
  your clients?

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7. High Dimension

• Multi-dimensional and simultaneous influences
  shape behaviors.
• What differences make a difference for you?

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8. Greater Whole

• Whole is different from the sum of the parts.
• What interactions do you see among the whole, the
  part, and the greater whole?

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9. History

• History matters.
• What stories do you elicit to bring the past into
  the present?

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10. Causes

• Root causes are rare.
• What tools help you see nonlinear and mutual
  causality?

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11. Simple Rules

• Short list of simple rules generates complicated
  and coherent system-wide behaviors.
• What shorts and simples shape your work?

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12. Fun!

• Exploration and discovery are not only
  necessary, they are FUN!
• Had any fun lately?

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Continuing the Journey

• Websites
• www.hsdinstitute.org
• www.plexusinstitute.org
• www.cognitive-edge.com
• www.odnetwork.org/resources/HSD/
• Books
• Facilitating Organization Change (Olson Eoyang)
• Coping with Chaos (Eoyang)
• Tao of Democracy (Atlee)

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Continuing the Journey

• Workshops and Trainings
• June 7 8, 2007 Adaptive Action Sustainable
  Change in Chaotic TimesOrganization Development
  Network of Ottawa-Outaouaiswww.odnoo.org/
• Sept 13-16, Oct 15-18, Nov 13-15, 2007Human
  Systems Dynamics Professional CertificationHSD
  Institute, Minneapolis, MNinfo_at_hsdinstitute.org

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Thanks for Joining Us Today!

• We hope to see you in Ottawa
• June 7 and 8, 2007
• For
• Adaptive Action Sustainable Change in Chaotic
  Times
• http//www.odnoo.org