Emerge 005: "Trust And Self-Organizing Systems" Christina Bowen
Mar 15, 2018
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Christina Bowen, a knowledge ecologist, discusses the relationship between trust and collective intelligence, solving wicked problems, and the nature of self-organization. They also explore the potential impact of Bitcoin and blockchain technology, the importance of distributed power, and the need for transdisciplinary economics.
Organizations should embrace collective intelligence and self-organization to tap into the full potential of their members.
Cultivating trust in oneself and in others is crucial for fostering collective intelligence and adapting to complex problems.
Deep dives
The Importance of Knowledge Ecology and Organizational Ecology
Christina Bowen, a knowledge ecologist, discusses the significance of knowledge ecology in creating healthy organizational ecologies where information flows easily and people can act with intelligence and agency. She compares knowledge ecology to the study of ecosystems and emphasizes the need for organizations to be agile and adaptive. Bowen explains her journey from environmental science to organizational design and how exploring the concept of ecology in the study of society sparked her interest. She highlights the importance of understanding organizations as living systems and stresses the need for a shift from traditional hierarchical structures to ones that allow for collective intelligence and self-organization.
The Need for Clear Thinking in Designing Organizations
Bowen emphasizes the importance of thinking clearly when designing organizations and challenges the belief that organizations can be completely designed. She draws upon the study of complex adaptive systems and argues that organizations should be seen as nested networks of relationships. She points out that the traditional command-and-control structure limits decision-making to the intelligence of the person in charge, while organizations that respect themselves as living systems can tap into the collective intelligence of their members. Bowen suggests that organizational change begins with individual behaviors and highlights the role of personal change and self-confidence in embodying leadership qualities.
The Role of Mindfulness and Contemplative Practices in Organizational Design
Bowen discusses the role of mindfulness and contemplative practices in organizational design and leadership. She believes that personal change is essential for organizational change and that mindfulness practices can help individuals develop self-confidence and act from a place of love rather than fear. By being present and aware, individuals can better embody their leadership qualities and make decisions that serve collective intelligence. Bowen highlights the importance of cultivating trust in oneself and in others, particularly in fostering collective intelligence and enabling organizations to respond and adapt rapidly to complex and wicked problems.
Addressing Wicked Problems and Building the Next System
Bowen explores the concept of wicked problems, such as climate change, and their complexity in terms of understanding causal factors and developing effective solutions. She emphasizes the need for systemic thinking and engagement across diverse fields to address these problems. Bowen advocates for a shift from hierarchical structures to self-organizing systems and highlights the importance of distributed power and ownership in creating more equitable systems. She discusses the potential of new technology, such as blockchain, in transforming financial systems and enabling greater value distribution. Bowen also suggests that engaging in conversations about systemic change, sharing knowledge, and learning from successful solutions can help create the foundation for building the next system.
In this episode of emerge I speak with Christina Bowen. Christina is a knowledge ecologist working on such topics as collective intelligence, global warming, and systems theory. In this conversation we talk about the relationship between trust and collective intelligence, how to solve wicked problems , and the nature of self-organization. Please enjoy this conversation with knowledge ecologist Christina Bowen!
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