Theory U
Theory U is a model
proposed by Otto Scharmer in his book "Theory U: Leading from the
Future as It Emerges". Theory U offers both a new theoretical
perspective and a practical social technology. As a theoretical
perspective, Theory U suggests that the way in which we attend to a
situation determines how a situation unfolds: I attend this way,
therefore it emerges that way. As a practical social technology,
Theory U offers a set of principles and practices for collectively
creating the future that wants to emerge (following the movements of
co-initiating, co-sensing, co-inspiring, co-creating, and co-evolving).
Using his experience working with some of
the world�s most accomplished leaders and innovators, Otto Scharmer
shows in Theory U how groups and organizations can develop seven
leadership capacities in order to create a future that would not
otherwise be possible.
Seven Theory U Leadership Capacities
The journey through the U develops seven essential
leadership capacities.
1. Holding the space of listening
The foundational capacity of the U is listening.
Listening to others. Listening to oneself. And listening to what emerges
from the collective. Effective listening requires the creation of open
space in which others can contribute to the whole.
2. Observing
The capacity to suspend the �voice of judgment� is key
to moving from projection to true observation.
3. Sensing
The preparation for the experience at the bottom of the
U�presencing�requires the tuning of three instruments: the open mind,
the open heart, and the open will. This opening process is not passive
but an active �sensing� together as a group. While an open heart allows
us to see a situation from the whole, the open will enables us to
begin to act from the emerging whole.
4. Presencing
The capacity to connect to the deepest source of self
and will allows the future to emerge from the whole rather than from a
smaller part or special interest group.
5. Crystallizing
When a small group of key persons commits itself to the
purpose and outcomes of a project, the power of their intention creates
an energy field that attracts people, opportunities, and resources that
make things happen. This core group functions as a vehicle for the whole
to manifest.
6. Prototyping
Moving down the left side of the U requires the group to
open up and deal with the resistance of thought, emotion, and will;
moving up the right side requires the integration of thinking, feeling,
and will in the context of practical applications and learning by doing.
7. Performing
A prominent violinist once said that he couldn�t simply
play his violin in Chartres cathedral; he had to �play� the entire
space, what he called the �macro violin,� in order to do justice to both
the space and the music. Likewise, organizations need to perform at this
macro level: they need to convene the right sets of players (frontline
people who are connected through the same value chain) and to engage a
social technology that allows a multi-stakeholder gathering to shift
from debating to co-creating the new.
References
http://www.presencing.com/presencing-theoryu/
http://www.presencing.com/docs/publications/execsums/Theory_U_2pageOverview.pdf |
