Occupy Integral Interview (Part 2)

03.11.2012 By
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"Occupy Integral!" was originally published in the online magazine Beams & Struts by my friends Terry Patten and Marco Morelli.  In Part 1 of the interview I asked them to describe what’s really happening to our world from an integral perspective.  Here in Part 2 of the interview, I ask them to elaborate on how the Integral Movement might have a greater impact for positive change during this time of significant transformation. Brett: Historically, the "integral movement" has been largely characterized by people interested in spiritual/philosophical/psychological theories, maps and models, along with a large focus on personal development. Your blog at IntegralRevolution.com suggests that integralists might play a significant role in the changes we are seeing on the planet. What mental or attitudinal shift, or what realization do you think integralists need to make in order to move from "watching from the sidelines" to getting "out onto the field" and into the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, Culture and Society, Current Events, Integral Movement, Leadership, Worldviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Occupy Integral (Interview)

03.11.2012 By
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In this two-part interview, Brett Thomas asks the authors of Occupy Integral to explain what’s really happening to our world from an integral perspective and how the Integral Movement can have a greater impact for positive change. [Occupy Integral! was originally published in the online magazine Beams & Struts by Terry Patten and Marco Morelli.] In Occupy Integral! Terry and Marco write : We post this manifesto in what feels like a moment of calm before the storm... it seems to be the quiescence or exhaustion following a complicated year. From revolutions in the Middle East to the Occupy protests in the US and globally, there is an upheaval brewing . . . and spilling over. We are four years into the global economic crisis, yet the fundamental issues relating to sustainability, debt, inequality, and so on have not been truly addressed, let alone resolved. Our political systems are in stalemate. Environmental signals are growing more distressing. Not only melting ice … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, Culture and Society, Current Events, Integral Movement, Integral Theory and Methodology, Leadership, Worldviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Integral Should Be More Like Apple

11.29.2011 By
Integral should be more like Apple

Integralists that have been following the blogosphere are noticing a growing current of conversations on the theme, or question, of "Why isn't Integral more popular?"  There are many variations on the theme, including "Why isn't Integral more relevant?" and "What does Integral need to do to make more of a difference in the world?" Many of my friends and colleagues have weighed in on this important question in recent weeks. Jason Digges just published a thoughtful, nuanced article on this very question in Beams and Struts. He suggests, "In short we need to take personal responsibility for formulating integral philosophy in a way that exemplifies simplicity beyond complexity." I couldn't agree more. In fact, simplicity beyond complexity is a theme I wrote about in my recently published online Integral Leadership Manifesto. Robb Smith has suggested some possible reasons why Integral isn't more popular in the Facebook discussion group Integral Institute Global Design. Not entirely … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured, Integral Movement, Integral Theory and Methodology, Leadership, Technology Tagged With: , , , , ,

AQAL Elements Applied to Leadership

11.26.2011 By

This article provides a handy overview of the elements of the Integral framework applied to leadership. Organizational leadership is a dynamic process involving a number of separate yet interconnected activities such as evaluating a situation or state-of-affairs, envisioning a desired future state and objectives to work toward, creating some kind of plan and/or strategy to achieve those objectives, coordinating efforts of various people and processes, evaluating progress and current conditions, and continually adjusting the strategies and tactics until the desired objective (or change) has been accomplished. Clearly, hundreds of books have been written on various aspects of management and leadership theory that address the nuance of these activities. Like all things integral, there are many legitimate and valid ways to render an idea. A number of models of Integral Leadership have been proposed, and in the years to come, many new models will emerge. There can be a lot of merit in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Integral Movement, Integral Theory and Methodology, Leadership

New and Improved Worldview Lenses

11.25.2011 By
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  Worldviews can be thought of as lenses through which we perceive and interpret our subjective experience. This "worldview contact lens" advertisement spoof highlights how worldviews color our interpretation of reality. For readers less familiar with the concept of worldviews... a handy worldview primer is offered below that correlates them with the style of leadership each prefers. This is a central aspect of Integral Leadership. These crucial lenses are a primary way human beings filter subjective experience (of objective reality) and interpret those experiences in terms of: how things appear to be; how things should be; what's right and wrong with how things are, and what, if anything, should be done about it. Clearly then, this is of paramount importance if we are interested in understanding how people make sense of the world we share, and especially as leaders, how we can better understand what people care about, their priorities, their motivations, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Culture and Society, Featured, Leadership, Psychology, Worldviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Two Minute Introduction to Integral Leadership

09.23.2011 By
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The Integral Leadership Model can be expressed in several different ways representing increasing levels of complexity encompassing all of the elements of AQAL: quadrants, lines, levels, states and types. My colleagues and I have written and taught extensively on the details of this practice, but for purposes here, I am going to present the most basic expression of the model: Awareness, Approach, Action.* Experience has shown that if you survey a group of people with these three questions about the SAME situation, you will get wildly different answers. These answers will reflect what these individuals are aware of and not aware of, what they emphasize and focus on (biases) and what perspectives they valorize or deliberately ignore (privilege or under-privilege). The most obvious factor that influences how a leader (or person) answers these questions is his or her worldview. Integral leaders use a simple model of four worldviews: Modern, Postmodern, Traditional and Imperial. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Integral Theory and Methodology, Leadership Tagged With: , , ,

Reaction to Gay Marriage = Litmus Test for Worldview

06.25.2011 By
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In what Mayor Michael Bloomberg called "a historic triumph for equality and freedom," New York joined the growing number of states that have legalized gay marriage, including: Massachusetts (2004), Connecticut (2008), Iowa (2009), Vermont (2009), New Hampshire (2010), and Washington, D.C. (2010). Modern, postmodern and integral thinkers nationwide celebrate New York's decision to take its place on the "right side of history." Traditional thinkers obviously don't agree with this view—which I will elaborate on below. Bloomberg also offered support to the Republicans who voted for the measure, stating that he believetheir actions were consistent with GOP ideals of liberty and freedom, "The Republicans who stood up today for those principles I think will long be remembered for their courage, foresight and wisdom" He added, "Ten, 20, 30 years from now, I believe they will look back on this vote as one of the finest and most proud moments in their life." Indeed. The Human … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, Culture and Society, Current Events, Home, Integral Theory and Methodology, Leadership, Morality, Politics, Psychology, Religion, Worldviews

Interview with Peter Merry on Sustainability Leadership

04.27.2011 By
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Peter Merry and I met in The Hague this past summer for a deep discussion on sustainability leadership. Peter offers a powerful blend of insight, wit, and presence that has allowed him to serve the development of sustainability in some fascinating arenas. In this interview he discusses how he designs sustainability initiatives, and cites recent work with the State of the World Forum in Brazil. I think you'll find the interview fascinating. Peter Merry Interview on Sustainability Leadership_20100624         … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Leadership, Sustainability

Ph.D. Dissertation on Conscious Leadership in Action

04.04.2011 By
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"Barrett Brown has given us a timely, important, significant, and very telling empirical study of some of the highest stages of human development. Combined with his terrific commentary and superb analysis, this is must reading for all those interested in leadership, development, spirituality, or integral studies."  – Ken Wilber, The Integral Vision What does conscious leadership look like in action? I've spent the last two years researching this question, specifically exploring how change agents with complex worldviews design and lead complex change initiatives. The bottom line is that these individuals represent less than 5% of the population, and in some cases, less than 1%. They are true outliers in how they see and understand not only the world around them, but also their own inner experience. The leaders I researched for my Ph.D. dissertation have achieved a level of development that represents the farthest reaches of what science can currently measure. I was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ecology, Home, Integral Theory and Methodology, Leadership, Psychology, Sustainability Tagged With: , , , ,

Communicating Sustainability to Different Worldviews

04.04.2011 By
communicating-sustainability

Why care for the environment? Ask this question of people from around the world and myriad responses will return. You might hear "Do it...." For your children For the technical challenge of achieving sustainability Because the Glorious Qur’an states that this is man’s obligation To save Gaia Because it is the ancestral way For the opportunity to make money To preserve the beauty of Nature So I don’t get cancer from pollutants Because it is honorable and is our responsibility to be stewards To stop the greedy industrialists by any means necessary Because pollution is a sin against Creation To sacredly express love for all of existence. What is your answer? Do any of these responses feel true to you and appeal to your deepest sensibilities? Which responses, if any, fail to strike a chord or feel uncomfortable to you? How and where does that discomfort show up in your body? Place your attention in those areas of your body and feel into how you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ecology, Integral Theory and Methodology, Leadership, Psychology, Sustainability, Worldviews

The Shirtless Dancing Guy Theory of Leadership

02.26.2011 By
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Derek Sivers gave this brief presentation at the TED Conference to a standing ovation. It's brilliant in both its humor and simplicity. Watch the video first. Then, if you want, you can read the transcript below. Transcript of Derek Sivers video: If you've learned a lot about leadership and making a movement, then let's watch a movement happen, start to finish, in under 3 minutes, and dissect some lessons: A leader needs the guts to stand alone and look ridiculous. But what he's doing is so simple, it's almost instructional. This is key. You must be easy to follow! Now comes the first follower with a crucial role: he publicly shows everyone how to follow. Notice the leader embraces him as an equal, so it's not about the leader anymore - it's about them, plural. Notice he's calling to his friends to join in. It takes guts to be a first follower! You stand out and brave ridicule, yourself. Being a first follower is an under-appreciated form of leadership. The first … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Leadership

Internet-Fueled Revolutions in 12 Countries… and Counting

02.21.2011 By
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Have you been following the articles about how these young, new-breed leaders are using modern technology, especially social media, to start movements and transform their communities and countries? Inspired by Tunisia, Egyptian youth, armed only with internet skills, planned, executed, and succeeded in starting a revolution that ousted a 30-year authoritarian regime. And if you've been following the headlines, their success has inspired courageous groups across the Middle East and into North Africa. What began in Tunisia spread to Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Algeria, Bahrain, and now Libya, Morocco, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Pictured on the right is Ahmed al-Omran, a 22-year-old Saudi university student, checks his Internet blog on his laptop computer at a cafe in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He represents tens of thousands of young people in the Middle East and North Africa that are active on Facebook, Twitter and Google. Technology poses big threats for autocratic and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Culture and Society, Current Events, Leadership Tagged With: , , ,

Egypt’s Stage of Development (Modern lens)

02.11.2011 By
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Speaking about the need for a leader popularly elected in free and fair elections, former U.S. National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski states, "Egypt is now at a stage of development in which it is reasonable and expected by the population.” The term "development" means many things to many people, and it is — as Ken Wilber has suggested — the "backbone" of integral theory. As I blogged about in a recent posts (Worldviews in Conflict and New-Breed Leader Uses Facebook to Start Egypian Revolution), there appears to be a clear shift occurring in Egypt in particular and in this region in general as development accelerates and the Modern worldview increasingly seeps in and displaces the longstanding Traditional and Imperial worldviews so common in this region. As I often discuss with my students of Integral Leadership, there is an opportunity here for us to notice how people with different worldviews (and preferred values dialects and leadership styles) frame these … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Culture and Society, Current Events, Development, Economics, Integral Theory and Methodology, Leadership, Worldviews

New-Breed Leader Uses Facebook to Start Revolution

02.09.2011 By
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The "leader" of the Egyptian Revolution, Wael Ghonim states, "The time to negotiate with the Mubarak government has passed." Wael Ghonim, a 30-year-old Egyptian Google marketing executive, used a Facebook page (along with other modern methods) to start a protest-turned-revolution that aims to overthrow the Egyptian government. Integral thinkers see this spectacular incident as representative of a much larger pattern, possibly even a new emergent form of leadership. Young leaders with modern and postmodern worldviews who deeply care about social issues are using cutting-edge communication tools to challenge traditional leaders and institutions. Many parts of the world have leaders (and governments) who hold an Imperial and/or Traditional worldview and who insist on using autocratic and authoritarian means. In some cases these worldviews and leadershp methods are, in fact, a good "functional fit" for the people, culture, and techo-economic realities of those regions. (More on this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Current Events, Leadership, Worldviews

The Problem With Polarizing Communication

08.09.2010 By
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Tony Bradley’s article in PC World about the “net neutrality” debate is a good illustration of a more integral perspective on a polarizing issue. I was struck that his statements about open, authentic communication vs. polarizing name calling is relevant to both integral leadership (in organizations) and integral politics. In this case, the topic is the highly political debate (and difficult issue) about how much government should be involved in policing the Internet. Tony explains that recently the FCC called off attempts to negotiate a compromise with major Internet industry players after reports that Google and Verizon were conducting secret meetings on the side. He advocates that the FCC should execute its duties to oversee the industry without apologizing or asking permission. “Negotiation and compromise are cornerstones of the political process, but they should be conducted openly and involve all parties. The problem with the FCC efforts was that the closed-door … [Read more...]

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