cameron and green making-sense-of-change-management

Complex changeFeedbackOne of the characteristics of a complex system is that feedback exists withinit. The non-linear nature of change within a complex system means thatlinear cause and effect analyses do not work. Mutual causality is aboutunderstanding how change evolves through looping interactions which canbe modelled as positive and negative feedback loops. By doing this type ofanalysis, it is possible to see where clusters of positive feedback loops createvicious circles, and where very small changes can lead to very significantoutcomes. In organizations, delayed feedback or counter-responses may destabilizethe system by eliciting exaggerated responses or behaviours.Stacey (2002) refers to the interaction between agents in a complex systemas ‘gesture and response’. Within systems that are richly enough connected,and have enough difference within them, this self-organized interaction ofboth gesture and response will produce both coherence and novelty.STOP AND THINK!Q 9.1Q 9.2Q 9.3Think of an organization you know well. Taking Dent’s theory ofshifting from traditional to emerging world views (Table 9.1),discuss with a colleague how a shift in world view might changewhat happens in this organization.How would a greater belief in self-organization change youractions as a manager, coach or OD practitioner?Consider the paradoxes that exist in your own life as it shifts andchanges, or those that exist in an organization you know that isgoing through a change process. How can these be managed well?StorytellingTOOLS THAT SUPPORT COMPLEX CHANGEStorytelling is a type of sense making, which helpsus to shape our understanding of the complexgoings-on in the world. People tell stories to sharewisdom with each other, entertain each other, influenceeach other and help each other make sense ofthe world. Stories can be created collectively in the321