Creatorship

Just because it is unintended, doesn't mean it doesn't hurt...

In complex systems, cause (action taken) and effect (impact on people, nature, environment, product quality...) are often separated in time (sometimes years) and across space (different location).

Intervening in a system (cause) often results in unintended consequences or effects not anticipated.  Since the person or organization taking action usually intends to gain some benefit from their action, there is often great resistance to acknowledging that something is amiss.

Here's a perfect example of cause and effect in a complex system with unintended consequences:

Farmers Cope With Roundup-Resistant Weeds

It is easy to point at them (Monsanto for example, or the farmers) and shake our heads in dismay.

We are living in a special time when we can do more with technology then ever before. And, because of technology including our ability to collect data and communicate, we are seeing the effects of what we do. We are no longer innocent but we are still young in our understanding of what it means to live and work in complex systems.

We read almost everyday the story of someone, some company or some government agency faced with the choice of what to do when the feedback loop says "oops, here's an effect we didn't expect." There is no blame but there is responsibility. At times like these we need the morale courage to think about the well-being of the whole, not just the short term impact on the part that is "us". It is getting harder to ignore the fact we are interdependent in so many ways.

"Them" and "us"  - it is our future together.

The Unintended Impact of Certainty

Louise van Ryhn told this story during her presentation, "Creating an alternative future for South Africa" hosted by "A Small group: Restoring & Reconciling Cincinnati." I'd like to paraphrase it here:

After a lecture (in South Africa), a woman came to me and asked if I’d like some feedback. Now presenters often expect the worst when someone asks to give feedback so, a bit reluctantly, I said, “Yes, I’d like to hear your feedback.”

The woman then said, “You are very certain. When you are that certain, do you know what your certainty does to me?” 

“No” I said.

 “When you are that certain, I lose my voice. I need you to be a little less certain so there can be room for my voice.”

As these words washed over me, I knew them to be true. At the same time, I also knew we live in a world where certainty is king.

As a culture, we reward holding a strong position: "It's better to be wrong than indecisive." The certainty espoused by media pundits and in political sound bites is valued and rewarded. If a politician changes his/her mind, its derisively called, "flip flopping."

On a personal level, certainty makes us feel in control, it quiets our fears and insecurities. As a consultant I was often rewarded for my certainty. People wanted me to know the answers so they would be more comfortable. I used to joke I had answers to anything, whether or not I know what I was talking about.

Yet such certainty precludes any meaningful exchange of different perspectives and experiences. Certainty excludes differences.  It lets people off the hook of having to engage. And in these times of massive change and of complex problems, certainty stops the conversations needed for new solutions to emerge. After all, If I'm so certain that I know, why would you bother to add your thoughts?

So, I'm committed to being more skilled at being a little less certain.  I want to invite your voice into the conversation, to know what you think. I want to stay curious. I want to choose to ask questions even when I think your voice is threatening mine. I want to act on my belief that we are in this world together. I want to experience hearing all the voices I can, because they can only enrich me.  It is, as Louise* says, the "symphonia" of life.

*'Symphonia' literally means the sounding together of voices and this is the ethos of  our work and our vision for this country. Engaging people in their work and enabling people to live remarkable lives starts by creating opportunities for all the voices to be heard (Symphonia). 

Picture by Simon Marshall