Comments on: The Revolutionary Tenets of Management 2.0Steve Denning https://www.druckerforum.org/blog/?p=178 Mon, 20 Aug 2018 09:56:34 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9 By: David Hurst https://www.druckerforum.org/blog/?p=178#comment-7989 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 15:44:24 +0000 http://www.druckerforum.org/blog/?p=178#comment-7989 To understand how ecosystems change and these shifts take place we need an ecological mental model. I have been working with the framework developed by Canadian ecologist C.S. “Buzz” Holling. He has an infinity-shaped loop to show how ecosystems (like forests) begin in open patches – loosely-connected communities – with huge diversity and little competition. As they mature they become giant systems of mono species that are vulnerable to destruction. Wind, fire, flood and disease sweep them away and create the open patches for renewal.

I have adapted the framework to handle complex human systems. Enterprises are conceived in passion, born in communities of trust; they grow through the application of reason and mature in power. Many of our institutions are in this late stage; indeed Anglo-Saxon capitalism itself is in a decadent phase.

Many people have a good idea of “what” to do, but without a sound ecological perspective on the processes required, these are just desirable outcomes. At best they are worthy goals but without an understanding of cause-and-effect (and it’s unlikely to be context-free recipe) they are prayers and dreams.

Where are the “open patches” in our societies? Where are the communities of trust and practice?

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