Leadership and systemic innovation: socio-technical systems, ecological systems, and evolutionary systems design
TL;DR: This paper argues that Systemic Innovation, as an emerging field of praxis in its own right, provides an integral and actionable framework for the curation of human initiatives that span human, technological, environmental, and generational concerns with lifelong learning and creative design initiatives.
Abstract: Innovation comprises an area of human activity that bridges disciplinary boundaries in epistemological domains as well as action frameworks in ontological domains. It involves a complex system comp...
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TL;DR: In this paper, the shifting dynamics in our Learning Landscapes as pressure for deep systemic change mounts is explored, and concepts of future-fit learning and future-creative competencies are introduced.
Abstract: This paper explores the shifting dynamics in our Learning Landscapes as pressure for deep systemic change mounts. Concepts of future-fit learning and future-creative competencies are introduced as ...
9 citations
Cites background or methods from "Leadership and systemic innovation:..."
...…evolutionarily “wise” learning systems through responsive mindsets (know-why and know-what), skillsets (know-how) and heartsets (care-why and care-how), in a way that integrates learning and development across intra- and inter-personal, trans-generational and trans-species levels (Laszlo, 2018a)....
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...We briefly present these six levels of wellbeing here as they answer the deeper question about the purpose and role of education with regard to the foundations of systemic thrivability (see Laszlo, 2018a; Laszlo & Russell, 2013; Smitsman & Smitsman, 2019)....
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...One could argue that a mechanistic worldview is at the root of today’s climate change and socialecological crises (Laszlo, 2018a; Smitsman et al., 2018)....
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...It is also derived from applied methodologies of biomimicry, permaculture, and so on—as well as from the sciences of complexity, such as complex adaptive systems theory, second order cybernetics, social systems dynamics theory, and the emerging field of systemic innovation (Laszlo, 2018b)....
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...One of the expressions of this dynamics is “planetary citizenship” (Laszlo & Keys, 1981), whereby human beings become empowered to sense cosmically, think globally, and act locally, including in times of increasing complexity and growing uncertainty (Laszlo, 2018a)....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a theoretical framework for a thrivable entrepreneurial ecosystem in which sustainability is "the way to walk" rather than the goal to reach, and apply the framework to address the grand challenge of sustainable development in wineries.
Abstract: The present research proposes a theoretical framework for a thrivable entrepreneurial ecosystem in which thrivability is a novel entrepreneurship approach that embeds a comprehensive view in which sustainability is ‘the way to walk’ rather than the goal to reach. A thrivable entrepreneurial ecosystem aims to create prosperity through ecosystem resource (re)generation and transformation to define long-term economic goals. The framework is applied here to address the grand challenge of sustainable development in wineries. A local wine ecosystem in Italy is employed as a case study supported by mix-method-based, in-depth data collection (survey and interview). Results from the study support the idea that organizations can collaborate in a thrivable entrepreneurial ecosystem as a unique entity respectful of nature, driving economic viability of both firms and territories by improving quality of life, and caring for natural resources and local communities. This novel entrepreneurial approach may represent a turning point for facing increasingly grand business challenges.
6 citations
DOI•
04 Nov 2019
TL;DR: It is suggested that it is time to acknowledge that many of the authors' conventional human-made systems are based on a systemic design error, and an ancient Australian Aboriginal teaching called Kanyini is explored to better understand the nature of this design error.
Abstract: Our current sustainability crisis reveals a deeper systemic behavioral pattern, discussed in this paper as the polarization effect that gave rise to our mechanistic worldviews. This effect is in part driven by our attempts to control our natural world to suit our economic needs via technological advancements that have decreased our reciprocity with our natural systems. This has also resulted in a loss of evolutionary coherence in our human made systems and increase in entropy. Although there have been attempts to negate this by forming and imposing agreement and regulatory mechanisms, a far more fundamental change is required. This paper proposes that it is time to acknowledge that many of our conventional human-made systems are based on a systemic design error. An ancient Australian Aboriginal teaching called Kanyini is explored, to better understand the nature of this design error to offer this understanding to heal the system dynamics of our worldviews.
5 citations
Cites background from "Leadership and systemic innovation:..."
...He explained that when these five dimensions align as a continuous living practice, supercoherence emerges (Laszlo, 2018a, p. 69): 1....
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...(Laszlo, 2018b, pp. 4-5)....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the myths and truths behind creativity as well as the false beliefs behind innovation as they present a closed model for innovation and the key framing elements needed to build a successful, trainable, developable system that is the innovation mindset.
Abstract: Aim/Purpose To build the skills of innovation, we must first establish a framework for the belief system that surrounds effective innovation practice. In building any belief system, sometimes outdated beliefs need to be replaced with better, more carefully researched ideas. One such belief, discovered in our research and elsewhere, is that creativity is innate and that great ideas arise through chance or happenstance. Background One belief regarding innovation and creativity, discovered in our research and elsewhere, is the belief that creativity is innate. History has repeatedly shown this to be untrue, yet people still believe it. We have found within our research another belief is that innovation happens through random, unstructured processes -that great ideas arise through chance or happenstance. However, participants also believed that innovation is a skill. If someone believes innovation is a skill but also believes innovation is innate, random, and unstructured, this disconnect presents obstacles for the training and development of innovation skills. Methodology This research is based on a combination of background research and direct survey of innovators, educators, scientists, and engineers, in addition to the general public. The survey is used to illuminate the nature of significant beliefs related to creativity and innovation practice Contribution We examine the myths and truths behind creativity as well as the false beliefs behind innovation as we present a closed model for innovation and the key framing elements needed to build a successful, trainable, developable system that is the innovation mindset. And like any skill, creativity and innovation can be taught and learned using tools and processes that can be followed, tracked, and documented. If innovation is a skill, creativity should not require magic or the production of ideas out of thin air. Framing the Innovation Mindset 84 Findings This paper identifies the historic nature of creativity as well as the general strategies used by innovators in implementing innovation practices and proposes a framework that supports the effective development of the innovation mindset. Recommendations for Practitioners Apply the framework and encourage ideation and innovation participants to appreciate that they can learn to be creative and innovative. Start as early as possible in the education process, as all of these skills can be instructed at early ages. Recommendations for Researchers Continue to gather survey data to support a refined understanding of the motivations behind the disconnect between innovation as a methodical skill and the beliefs in the use of random ideation techniques. Impact on Society Transforming the understanding of creativity and innovation from one of mythical belief to one of methodical skill application will dramatically alter the lifelong impact of knowledge gained in support of global economic and environmental challenges. Future Research A continuation of the recommended research paths and collaboration with other creativity researchers leading to improved methods for dissuading mythical beliefs toward formalized, systematic ideation and innovation practices.
2 citations
Cites background from "Leadership and systemic innovation:..."
...Laszlo (2018) stated, “a critical concern lies in the fact that in the face of increasingly VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) futures, many leaders, institutions, and structural societal conventions appear to be preparing for the world of yesterday instead of that of tomorrow” (p....
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...Laszlo (2018) stated, “a critical concern lies in the fact that in the face of increasingly VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) futures, many leaders, institutions, and structural societal conventions appear to be preparing for the world of yesterday instead of that of tomorrow” (p. 382)....
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References
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Book•
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01 Jan 1972
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate five major trends of global concern: accelerating industrialization, rapid population growth, widespread malnutrition, depletion of nonrenewable resources, and a deteriorating environment.
Abstract: Every person approaches problems with the help of models. A model is simply an ordered set of assumptions about a complex system. Our world model was built specifically to investigate five major trends of global concern—accelerating industrialization, rapid population growth, widespread malnutrition, depletion of nonrenewable resources, and a deteriorating environment. It is possible to alter the growth trends and to establish a condition of ecological and economic stability that is sustainable far into the future. The state of global equilibrium could be designed so that the basic material needs of each person on earth are satisfied and each person has an equal opportunity to realize his individual human potential. Although the history of human effort contains numerous incidents of mankind's failure to live within physical limits, it is success in overcoming limits that forms the cultural tradition of many dominant people in today's world.
5,312 citations
TL;DR: For example, the authors argues that the contemporary experience of things technological has repeatedly confounded our vision, our expectations, and our capacity to make intelligent judgments, and as long as we lack the ability to make our situation intelligible, all of the ''data'' in the world will make no difference.
Abstract: The truth of the matter is that our deficiency does not lie in the want of well-verified \"facts.\" What we lack is our bearings. The contemporary experience of things technological has repeatedly confounded our vision, our expectations, and our capacity to make intelligent judgments. Categories, arguments, conclusions, and choices that would have been entirely obvious in earlier times are obvious no longer. Patterns of perceptive thinking that were entirely reliable in the past now lead us systematically astray. Many of our standard conceptions of technology reveal a disorientation that borders on dissociation from reality. And as long as we lack the ability to make our situation intelligible, all of the \"data\" in the world will make no difference.;From the Introduction
1,141 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1977
TL;DR: Our deficiency does not lie in the want of well-verified "facts." What we lack is our bearings as discussed by the authors, and as long as we lack the ability to make our situation intelligible, all of the "data" in the world will make no difference.
Abstract: The truth of the matter is that our deficiency does not lie in the want of well-verified "facts." What we lack is our bearings. The contemporary experience of things technological has repeatedly confounded our vision, our expectations, and our capacity to make intelligent judgments. Categories, arguments, conclusions, and choices that would have been entirely obvious in earlier times are obvious no longer. Patterns of perceptive thinking that were entirely reliable in the past now lead us systematically astray. Many of our standard conceptions of technology reveal a disorientation that borders on dissociation from reality. And as long as we lack the ability to make our situation intelligible, all of the "data" in the world will make no difference. From the Introduction
935 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1989
312 citations
"Leadership and systemic innovation:..." refers background in this paper
...Already almost thirty years ago, Lester W. Milbrath (1989) noted in his book, Envisioning a Sustainable Society: Learning Our Way Out, that As a society, we have to learn better how to learn –...
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