Richard D. Bartlett, Co-founder of Loomio and Director at the Enspiral Foundation, discusses topics such as designing effective decentralized organizations, building trust in collaborative governance, creating a grid of meaning, dealing with unacceptable behaviors in a group, and the importance of emotionally healthy ratios and trust-based governance.
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Quick takeaways
Decentralization is a process of discovery that requires treating systems as scaffolding rather than finished products.
Power dynamics in decentralized communities can be navigated by creating environments of open communication and fostering psychological safety.
Finding a balance between equality and encouraging innovation in communities requires deliberation of values and determining appropriate rights and responsibilities.
Creating inclusive spaces that foster integration and empathy can help move conversations away from polarized dynamics and towards a more holistic understanding.
Deep dives
Principles of decentralization and emerging ways of working together
The podcast episode explores the principles of decentralization and the emerging field of finding new ways of working together. It emphasizes the instability and lack of a comprehensive framework, stating that decentralization is a process of discovery. The speaker suggests treating systems as scaffolding rather than finished products, allowing for flexibility and adaptation. The importance of creating an environment for open and honest communication is highlighted, where people can share information freely and work together like nodes on the internet. The speaker also emphasizes the need for experimentation and rapid iteration in decentralized organizations, where individuals and groups can run experiments to learn from and make progress.
The dynamics of power and fostering equality within communities
The podcast delves into power dynamics within decentralized communities and the challenges of achieving equality. It distinguishes between different types of power, including power over, power with, and power from within. The discussion highlights the need to create environments where people can communicate openly and honestly and build trusting relationships. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing contextual variables and individual developmental journeys when considering power dynamics. Strategies such as encouraging open communication and fostering psychological safety are discussed as ways to navigate power dynamics within groups.
Balancing egalitarian intentions and fostering social innovation
The conversation touches on the tension between egalitarianism and social innovation within communities. There is a discussion about different models, such as time banking, and the challenges of finding the right balance. The speaker suggests that finding a balance between equality and encouraging innovation requires a careful deliberation and consideration of the group's values and context. They emphasize the importance of understanding different classes of stakeholders and determining appropriate rights and responsibilities based on commitment and investment. The need to create environments where power is shared but also accountable is highlighted, allowing for meaningful contributions and collaboration.
Assertiveness, gender dynamics, and shifting power dynamics
The conversation explores the role of assertiveness and gender dynamics within groups. The speaker challenges the notion that assertiveness is solely a masculine trait, highlighting that leadership can encompass both masculine and feminine qualities. They discuss the importance of creating a space where everyone's voice is heard, while acknowledging the existing inequities and conditioning individuals have experienced. The speaker suggests encouraging quieter voices to be more assertive and louder voices to listen more, fostering a balance in participation. They also touch on the value of subversive approaches in navigating power dynamics, such as utilizing different social dynamics or intentionally challenging existing patterns.
Focus on inclusivity and integration in group discussions
The podcast explores the importance of creating spaces that foster inclusivity and integration during group discussions. The speaker highlights the need to move beyond rigid polarities and acknowledge the diverse dimensions that contribute to individual identities. They mention a facilitation technique called the fishbowl, which successfully managed polarities by allowing different groups to share their experiences and perspectives. The speaker emphasizes the importance of listening and creating a safe environment where individuals can express their trauma and stories without judgment or defensiveness. This approach helps in moving away from polarized dynamics and encourages a more integrated and empathetic conversation.
Embrace contextual listening and understanding in new environments
The podcast episode draws a parallel between gender dynamics and the approach to cultural understanding when experiencing new environments. The speaker mentions the importance of listening and adapting to different cultural norms during travel. They highlight the value of creating smaller groups where diverse experiences can be shared and understood. By embracing contextual listening, individuals can recognize and appreciate the unique strengths and contributions of their own gender or cultural background, while also fostering a sense of respect and curiosity towards others. It is emphasized that genuine listening and emotional connectedness are crucial in opening up new terrains of dialogue and moving beyond the limitations of polarized conversations.
Navigating masculine and feminine energies with self-acceptance
The podcast delves into the exploration of masculine and feminine energies and the importance of embracing one's authentic self. The speaker shares personal experiences of navigating the pressures of conforming to gender stereotypes and sheds light on the journey of self-discovery and acceptance. They highlight the significance of thriving in one's personal power and recognizing the value of both masculine and feminine energies. It is emphasized that embracing and celebrating one's unique strengths and qualities, regardless of societal expectations, is essential for personal growth and for creating a balanced and harmonious interplay of energies in relationships and communities.
Our guest in this Q+A session on self-organizing governance is Richard D. Bartlett. This session was originally live-streamed on December 4th 2020.
Richard is a co-founder of a digital tool called Loomio, and of a decentralized consulting company The Hum. He is also the Director at the Enspiral Foundation, a collective of people working on meaningful projects around the world.
As an open source enthusiast, he writes about how we work together at any scale, from our relationships to organizations to social change. He is a contributing author of the book Better Work Together, and he is writing his first book called Patterns for Decentralized Organizing.
