Why we do it
Reimagining human connection, collaboration and organisation
For the last hundred years, we have treated organisations as machines. Believing in a world which was rational, analysable and predictable we built our institutions for certainty and engineered them for control. We took a rational and directional approach, focusing on analysis, prediction and specification. During the Industrial Age this approach worked well enough. We have entered an age of disruption, however, and the rules of the game have changed.
As humans we need to significantly up our game in how we communicate, collaborate and create our organisations, if we are to continue to thrive in an age of disruption. At Living Systems, we exist to help people, teams and organisations adapt to increasing volatility, complexity and uncertainty, by developing the capacity for Connected Intelligence. Our work reimagines human connection, collaboraton and organisation, transforming what is possible together.
Organisations are not just mechanistic structures to be predicted and controlled. They are also complex, living systems of people, relationships and conversation - with the potential, when openly connected, for self-organisation, creativity and resilience.
Our Purpose & Mission
At Living Systems, we exist to help our clients adapt and thrive in an age of disruption. We do this by developing the capacity for Connected Intelligence in organisations, groups and individuals.
Connection
Living systems maintain open connections across boundaries. We develop connected organisations, connected groups and connected leaders.
Integration
Living systems are interconnected and whole. Whether we’re working with an organisation, a group or an individual, we take a whole system approach to transformation.
Self-organisation
Living systems enable self-organisation. We develop organisational, group and leadership agility by leveraging the potential of self-organisation.
Adaptation
Living systems are adaptive and continuously evolving. We establish social systems, processes and practices that enable whole system experimentation, learning and adaptation, over time.
Emergence
Living systems foster emergence. By developing the capacity for Connected Intelligence in organisations, groups & individuals, we create the conditions for breakthrough to emerge.
Connected Intelligence: our thinking
Embracing Paradox and Duality
In an age of disruption, traditional forms of leadership are not enough. Leaders need to develop the capacity for connected intelligence
Whole ecosystem change
Whole system change is an approach that mobilises whole ecosystems to break through their most complex challenges
Connected group intelligence
We develop the capacity for collective intelligence in groups – enabling groups of all sizes to think, feel and act as a cohesive whole
Ambidextrous leadership
In a VUCA world, leaders need to develop greater agility, balancing driving & directing with enabling & facilitating styles of leadership