Paradigms of Change Practicing
Evolutionary Change & Post-Industrial Systems Designing
Forging high frequency systems and designing post-industrial mental models and structures to operate by rely on a quantum rather than newtonian paradigm.
Assumptions About Designing Change
- Industrial / Newtonian Paradigm
- Post-Industrial / Quantum Paradigm
- Reality is fixed.
- Reality appears fixed, but is a process of myriad possibilities and continuous decisioning.
- Outcomes are predictable.
- Outcomes are unpredictable.
- Knowledge is embodied; applicable to instrumental decisions.
- A "kind of knowing" is inherent in intelligent action.
- Observer and observed are separate; separation of mind and body.
- Mind and body are interrelated; Observer and observed inter-participate.
- Subject and object, means and ends are separate.
- Interrelatedness of subject and object; and of means and ends.
Assumptions About How Change Works
- Industrial / Newtonian Paradigm
- Post-Industrial / Quantum Paradigm
- Means and ends are separate.
- Means and ends are framed interdependently.
- Research and practice are separate.
- Practice is a kind of research.
- Knowing and doing are separate.
- Inquiry is a continual transaction with the situation in which knowing and doing are inseparable.
- Design is application of previous knowledge.
- Design is a conversation with the situation and a continuous construction of new, present moment reality.
Assumptions About Contracting Change
- Industrial / Newtonian Paradigm
- Post-Industrial / Quantum Paradigm
- Client puts herself into the hands of the professional and gains a sense of security.
- Client joins with the professional in making sense of the case, gaining increased involvement and sharing in direct action, all while leading from ambiguity and a sense of "not fully knowing" insecurity.
- Client has comfort in being in good hands. "I need to comply with her advice and all will be well."
- Client exercises agency and authority in partnership within the situation. "I am not wholly dependent on the professional. S/he is also dependent on information and action that only I can undertake."
- Client is pleased to be served by the "best" person available.
- Client is pleased to be able to test her or his judgements about the professional's competence, enjoys the excitement of discovery about the professional's knowledge, about the phenomena of her practice, and about a deepening awareness of her/himself in the unfolding change and transformation process.
Attribution
Adapted from Schon, The Reflective Practitioner