Why this article? Purpose and position The word power keeps popping up wherever I turn. Through my ten years of doing my doctorate action research it was all over my…
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Organizing models for social change: Networks as an inclusive category
Creating social change of any sort requires organizing the people who have an interest in the issue or problem at hand. The global social impact space has a wide range of…
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Systems Practice, Abridged
When you’re making a system map in Kumu, it’s important to have skill and familiarity with the tool itself, but it’s equally important to have an understanding of the concepts…
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Appreciating the Complexity of Human Ecosystems
Networks are made of individuals. Each person is a complex system where we can’t control nor truly predict their behavior, so combining them to form a network can make things…
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Storytelling to Enable Systems Thinking
For a long time I developed models and inflicted them on other people. Fortunately, due to the interaction with others, it became apparent that it made more sense to become…
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Scaffolding for System Shifting Networks
Networks come in all shapes and sizes. However, if you want to be a system shifting network you will need to put in place scaffolding so that transformation can emerge…
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Start At Yes : building resilient networks
In working with communities to build resilient networks, I’ve noticed a pattern. Those who “start at yes” – listening for the possibilities, helping others make sense of their ideas, shining…
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MENDING THE COMMUNITY CUP
For years in conversations in organizations, within advocacy groups, and social change initiatives, I have heard variations of these themes: “We know we have to move beyond top-down approaches –…
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SHIFTING A SYSTEM: The Reimagine Learning network and how to tackle persistent problems
Some problems are simply too big for any one organization. One solution: a network of like-minded leaders working toward a common goal. Reimagine Learning, taking on systemic education issues, offers…
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The Transformative Power of Networks of Networks
Three Level Networks for Transformation I’ve mentioned before that transformation or system shifting requires networks to be involved in networks of networks. This blog post will explain why every network…
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