400 likes | 561 Views
SUULE 2009. System Thinking. Beginning with Systems. Our congregations are a human emotional systems. Ludwig von Bertalanffy. Systems theory was proposed in the 1940's by the biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy. A trans-discipline theory.
E N D
SUULE 2009 System Thinking
Beginning with Systems Our congregations are a human emotional systems
Ludwig von Bertalanffy Systems theory was proposed in the 1940's by the biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy. A trans-discipline theory.
“General system theory, therefore, is a general science of wholeness… The meaning of the somewhat mystical expression, ‘The whole is more than the sum of its parts’ is simply that constitutive characteristics are not explainable from the characteristics of the isolated parts…” - Ludwig von Bertalanffy
Family Systems Thinking Systems Theory applied to emotional systems • Dr. Murray Bowen • Family therapist • “Science of the family.” • Rabbi Dr. Edwin H. Friedman • “Generation to Generation” • “Reinventing Leadership” • “A Failure of Nerve”
Systems Thinking • To think “System” is to think in a unique way. • Interrelationships exist among discrete parts. • Things do not exist independently, only in relationship to something else.
Systems Thinking Whole cannot be understood by simply understanding each part. Things only function as they do because of the presence of one another.
Systems Thinking • S -elf Differentiation • H -omeostasis • I -dentified Patient • F -amily Field • T -riangulation
Self-Differentiation The ability of a individual to remain an individual and still connected to others within an emotional system Maturity Not catching or spreading anxiety Not taking things personally
Homeostasis The reality that the system has more effect on the parts than the parts do on the system. We will bounce back to the same old rut every time. The more things change the more they stay the same. We like things just the way they are - even if we say we don’t.
Homeostasis A system will maintain the status-quo. The system fights influences that will produce a change unless or until things become painfully intolerable.
Identified Patient • Conflict seems to focus around one particular team member. The conflict might manifest itself as either organizational or interpersonal issues, or both,but whatever the problem seems to be,the problem is never the problem.Rick Brenner
Identified Patient The focus of conflict is often a role — it can be filled by anyone
Extended Family Field The baggage we bring with us into every community we join. The bags that were carefully packed by our parents whose bags were carefully packed by our grandparents. Tri-generational at least.
Sibling Position: “ Mom always liked you best.” • Birth order and personality The family standard bearer The family negotiator The family party animal
Dysfunction in theExtended Family Field “It’s All Your Fault.” • Glomminess • Blame • Victimizing • Emotional Distance and/or Cut Off • Conflict
Illustration 2, Emotional triangle of Albert Einstein's conflict with his mother Pauline, and the emotional cut-off between Pauline and Mileva
Emotional Triangles and Triangulation Is this my stuff?
What are our responsibilities as leaders of covenantal faith communities? Who and what do we serve? How do we function?
Responsibility of Leadership We can only change a relationship to which we belong. Therefore, the way to bring change to the relationship of two others (and no one said it is easy) is to try to maintain a well-defined relationship with each, and to avoid taking responsibility for their relationship with each other. - Dr Edwin Friedman
1 If power is given and excepted, triangulation is complete. If the third person accepts the responsibility of the secret and the burden of the anxiety it is triangulation. 3 2
Other My responsibility Manage my anxiety Maintain covenant and clarity My responsibility Covenant Me 3rd Person or Issue My responsibility Clarity
Systems Thinking Five Basic Concepts - Review Self Differentiation
Systems Thinking Five Basic Concepts - Review Homeostasis
Systems Thinking Five Basic Concepts - Review Identified Patient
Systems Thinking Five Basic Concepts - Review (Extended) Family Field
Systems Thinking Five Basic Concepts - Review (Emotional) Triangles Other Me 3rd Person or Issue
Leadership by presence and functioningnot data and technique Being = Presence Doing = Functioning Liberty leading the people
Great Leaders • Lead by presence and functioning • Not technique and data • Being and doing
Leadership Leadership is the spiritual process of discerning what one believes (clarity), acting on that belief in the public arena (decisiveness), and standing behind that action despite the varied responses of people (courage). - Rev. Frank Thomas
It’s Lonely at the Top To lead is to no longer be a member.
Leadership The bad leader is hated by the people. The good leader is loved by the people. The great leader leaves the people understanding they did it themselves. • Taoist Saying