Self-organizing systems

[Bryan Kidd]

Hi Doc

It seems that there are a number of ways of thinking and discussing these
issues.  I am really interested in what makes sense for the people I am
working with, rather than any theories or concepts I am looking at.  In
this way, I am being myself in helping others to be themselves in
addressing their daily issues of effectiveness.  When we use language like
"The System", and "The Organisation", we allow for the moving of our
authority and responsibility onto those faceless 'things'.

I feel that identity, invitation and living are about people, their
belonging, and their activities.  When I say 'I' and 'Me', and encourage
others to do the same, we recover our identity, authority and
responsibility.

Using systems based concepts helps us understand, but may also allow us
to avoid taking up our individual authority and responsibility.  For me,
learning
in organisations is something created by myself and other selves. These are

not evolutionary steps beyond the capacity for a system to learn.  It is
people
working with daily challenges in their organisations.  In other words, my
understanding of a living organisation is real people working together to
address the issues that are 'living' for them.

In this way, I agree that the 'living organisation' is a valuable way to
think
about how we might manage our various and complex challenges.

Clearly, your contribution has contributed to my learning and thinking.

Cheers and Thanks.

Bryan
****************************************************************************

**************
"Not trying to be clever, just thinking and working"


Bryan Kidd
HyPerformance Team Works
Melbourne Australia
bryan at hyteam.com.au

----------
> From: Richard Charles Holloway <learnshops at THRESHOLDS.COM>
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: Re: Self-organizing systems
> Date: Tuesday, 7 September 1999 12:13
>
> Becoming a learning organization is an interim step, I believe, enroute
to
> becoming a living organization.  This is why the concept of
self-organizing
> is such an important one when considering open space (from a systems
view).
>
> With the advent of enabling technology that allows complex systems (like
> organizations) begin to develop an electronic memory, and the myriad
neural
> pathways that have grown through the increasing intra/inter-nets and
other
> communications media, "living" organizations are quite possible.
>
> I'm not sure why "inviting" or "identifying" could be considered as
> evolutionary steps beyond the capacity for a system to learn.  They
> certainly can describe desirable characteristics of a living
organization.
>
> Creating new cultures for these organizations (perhaps culture developed
> through and around Open Space...characterized by "inviting" and
> "identifying") becomes at once the great challenge and the great
> opportunity.  There is no surprise to me why so many involved in
> facilitating cultural change within complex organizations look to
creating
> more flexible, adaptive organizations centered around autonomous yet
> connected people.
>
> regards,
>
> Doc
> ------------------
> "A mind once stretched by a great idea or new understanding will never
fully
> return to its original dimensions." William James
>
> Richard Charles Holloway -
> P.O. Box 2361, Olympia, WA 98507 USA Telephone 253.539.4014 or
206.568.7730
> Thresholds <http://www.thresholds.com>
> Meeting Masters <http://www.thresholds.com/masters.html>