Theory U: Leading From the Future as It Emerges Dr. C. Otto - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Theory U: Leading From the Future as It Emerges Dr. C. Otto Scharmer MIT Sloan School of Management scharmer@MIT.EDU, www.ottoscharmer.com March 2009

Two Sources of Learning, Two Learning Cycles A. Learning by reflecting on the experiences of the past act - observe - reflect - plan - act B. Learning from the future as it emerges (presencing)

Four Levels of Responding to Change Manifest 1. Reacting: quick fixes action Process, 2. Redesigning: policies structure 3. Reframing: values, beliefs Thinking Source of energy, 4. Regenerating: sources of inspiration commitment and energy and will

The Blind Spot of Leadership Results: What Process: How Source: Who Blind Spot: Inner place from where we operate

“ The success of an intervention depends on the interior condition of the intervenor. ” William O ’ Brien, former CEO of the Hanover Insurance Company

On the Core Process of Profound Innovation

3 Movements of the U Downloading Observe, observe, Act in an observe instant Retreat and reflect: Allow the inner knowing to emerge

Theory U Downloading Performing by past patterns operating from the whole suspending embodying Open VoJ Seeing Prototyping the new by Mind with fresh eyes linking head, heart, hand redirecting enacting Open VoC Heart Sensing Crystallizing from the field vision and intention letting go letting come Open VoF Will Presencing connecting to Source Who is my Self? What is my Work?

U Process: 1 Process, 5 Stages 1. Co-initiating: 5 . Co-evolving: uncover common intent embody the new in ecosystems that facilitate acting stop and listen to others and to from the whole what life calls you to do 2 . Co-sensing: 4 . Co-creating: observe, observe, observe prototype the new connect with people and places in living examples to explore to sense the system from the whole the future by doing 3. Presencing: connect to the source of inspiration and will go to the place of silence and allow the inner knowing to emerge

Levels of Listening LISTENING 1: Downloading reconfirming old from habits habits of judgment opinions & judgments LISTENING 2: Factual Open disconfirming from outside listening Mind [new] data noticing differences seeing through LISTENING 3: Empathic Open another person ‘ s eyes from within listening Heart emotional connection LISTENING 4: Generative connecting to an Open from Source listening emerging future whole; Will (from the future shift in identity and self wanting to emerge)

Field: Structure Field Of Attention 1 Speaking from what they want to hear Downloading: Polite routines, empty phrases Talking nice Autistic system (not saying what you think) I-in-me Speaking from what I think 2 Debate: Divergent views : I am my point of view Talking tough Adaptive system (say what you think) I-in-it Speaking from seeing myself as part 3 of the whole Dialogue: From defending to inquiry into viewpoints Reflective inquiry Self-reflective system ( reflect on your part) I-in-you Speaking from what is moving through 4 Stilness, collective creativity, flow Presencing: Generative system Generative flow (identity shift: authentic self) I-in-now

Field: Attentional Structure action Of Attention Listening 1: Downloading habits of thought I-in-me Listening 2 : Factual, object-focused I-in-it Listening 3 : Empathic listening I-in-you Listening 4 : Generative listening I-in-now

Field: Attentional Conversational Structure action action Of Attention Listening 1: Downloading : Downloading Talking nice, habits of thought politeness, rule-reenacting I-in-me Listening 2 : Debate: Talking tough, Factual, rule-revealing object-focused I-in-it Listening 3 : Dialogue: Inquiry, Empathic rule-reflecting listening I-in-you Listening 4 : Presencing: Collective Generative creativity, flow listening rule-generating I-in-now

Field: Attentional Conversational Organizational Global Structure action action action action Of Attention Listening 1: Downloading : Centralized : Hierarchy: Central plan Downloading Talking nice, Machine bureaucracy habits of thought politeness, rule-reenacting I-in-me Listening 2 : Debate: Decentralized: Market: Divisionalized Competition Talking tough, Factual, rule-revealing object-focused I-in-it Listening 3 : Dialogue: Networked: Dialogue: Inquiry, Relational (Mutual Empathic adjustment) rule-reflecting listening I-in-you Listening 4 : Presencing: Ecosystem: Collective Ba Collective Presence: Generative creativity, flow listening Acting from rule-generating the emerging Whole I-in-now

Selecting Prototyping Ideas for Large Systems Change 1. Relevant: Does it matter to the key stakeholders involved? 2. Right: Have you got the right dimensions? Does the microcosm mirror the whole? 3. Revolutionary: Can it change the system? Do you address the systemic root issues? 4. Rapid: Can you do it quickly? 5. Rough: Can you do it small scale? 6. Relationally effective: Are you leveraging the existing networks and competencies? 7. Replicable: Can you scale it?

Resources and Literature Scharmer, C. Otto (2007). Theory U: Leading from the Emerging Future As It Emerges. The Social Technology of Presencing), Cambridge, MA: SoL Press. Senge, P., C. O. Scharmer, J. Jaworski, and B. S. Flowers. (2004). Presence: Human Purpose and the Field of the Future, Cambridge, MA: SoL Press. www.presencing.com www.ottoscharmer.com