Futuregen: a Worldview 4 approach to strategy, innovation and changeBy Jack Martin LeithDirector, Futuregen Labs

Worldview

A worldview is like the operating system in a computer, controlling operations behind the scenes but mostly outside the user's awareness.When someone upgrades his or her worldview, certain things that were

previously impossible become possible, and some things that were difficult become easy.

Each successive worldview incorporates and transcends its predecessor.

Worldview 1

Worldview 1

Worldview 1

Metaphor

What organising metaphor shapes the thoughts and actions of those who operate under Worldview 1?

Worldview 1

Metaphor Machine

Organising metaphor:“The world is a machine”

Worldview 1

Metaphor Machine

The Newtonian/Cartesian worldview

Worldview 1

Metaphor Machine

NEWTONIAN/CARTESIAN WORLDVIEW A system of thought based on the work of British physicist Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727) and the French philosopher Rene Descartes (1596 - 1650).Newton described a mechanistic universe that is stable and predictable, and that obeys the law of cause and effect.Descartes formulated a concept of the absolute dualism between mind and matter, resulting in a belief that the material world can be described objectively, without reference to the human being.Source: GDV Research

Some typical Worldview 1 topics:Competition

Cause and effectResistance to change

Strategic planningShareholder value

Worldview 1

Metaphor Machine

Worldview 1 2

Metaphor Machine

Worldview 2

Worldview 1 2

Metaphor Machine Network

Organising metaphor:“The world is a network of relationships”

Worldview 1 2

Metaphor Machine Network

As exemplified by Facebook, LinkedIn etc.

Worldview 1 2

Metaphor Machine Network

Some typical Worldview 2 topics:Social constructionism

Customer focusEgalitarianism

CommunityValues

Worldview 1 2

Metaphor Machine Network

Some people operating under Worldview 2cannot entertain the possibility of constructing

their reality differently

X

Worldview 1 2

Metaphor Machine Network

Some despise this Four Worldviews model,believing it to be anti-egalitarian

While others mistakenly believe theyhave upgraded to Worldview 3 already

Worldview 1 2 Pseudo 3

Metaphor Machine Network

They have embraced some aspects of the systemic worldview, but their Newtonian-Cartesian one

still runs the show

Worldview 1 2 Pseudo 3

Metaphor Machine Network

This is why I call Worldview 2the pre-systemic worldview

Worldview 1 2 3

Metaphor Machine Network System

Worldview 1 2

Metaphor Machine Network

In western organisations, Worldview 2is the prevailing operating system

Let go of judgements and notions of causalityOut beyond ideas of right doing or wrong doing,

there is a field. I'll meet you there.Rumi

Crossing the first chasm

The challenge:

WORLDVIEW 2 WORLDVIEW 3

Worldview 1 2 3

Metaphor Machine Network

Worldview 3

Worldview 1 2 3

Metaphor Machine Network System

Organising metaphor:“The world is a system”

Worldview 1 2 3

Metaphor Machine Network System

See, for example:Cybernetics—the science of organisation (Beer, Bateson)

Complex Adaptive Systems (Stacey, Santa Fe Institute)Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela

Evolutionary cybernetics studies the origin and development of purposeful organization in Nature, Mind, Society and Technology.

The presently popular approach of complex adaptive systems too studies many of the same issues, but lacks a focus on hierarchical organization and especially goal-directedness, preferring the use of methods imported from

mathematics, physics and chemistry, where the notion of function or ‘purpose’ is absent.

Source: F. Heylighen (2000): “Evolutionary cybernetics”, in: F. Heylighen, C. Joslyn and V. Turchin (editors): Principia Cybernetica Web (Principia Cybernetica, Brussels),

URL: http://cleamc11.vub.ac.be/EVOLCYB.html.

Worldview 1 2 3

Metaphor Machine Network System

Some typical Worldview 3 topics:Self organisation

Co-creationThe futureComplexityResilience

Worldview 1 2 3

Metaphor Machine Network System

Crossing the second chasm

The challenge:

Inhabit two disparate realms simultaneously:the nonmaterial and the material

WORLDVIEW 3 WORLDVIEW 4

Image credit: http://bit.ly/1yn7HRU

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System

Worldview 4

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Organising metaphor:“The world is consciousness”

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

“We still have no adequate definitionof consciousness.”

Mo CostandiConsciousness explained in 30 seconds

The Guardian

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

This comes close:Consciousness can be “described in terms of a series of

moments.” Basically, “one moment gives rise to the next, in which context that was previously implicate is now explicate, while the previous explicate content has become implicate.” Consciousness is an interchange; it is a feedback process that

results in a growing accumulation of understanding.Source: The Cosmic Plenum—Bohm's Gnosis—The Implicate Order

quoting David Bohm, “one of the most significant theoretical physicists of the 20th century”

Some typical Worldview 4 topics:Non-reciprocal serviceCreative intelligence

Lived experienceWholeness

Play

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Where Worldview 4 can be seen:Quantum TheoryRupert Sheldrake

David BohmKen Wilber

Zen

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach

What is the dominant change approach?

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management

Change managementManagers seek to engineer a transit from current reality (‘as is’) to desired future (‘to be’) through

top-down change programmes

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

EngagementManagers seek to bring about change by getting

everyone to align with the company’s vision and values

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement Co-creation

Co-creationLeaders seek to create the desired state of affairs by

inviting stakeholders to design and implementthe change initiative together

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement Co-creation Futuregen

FuturegenEveryone seeks to create the desired future (actually the

desired present1, and consistent with the company’s ecopurpose2) through the collaborative design and

implementation of a futuregen project1 ‘Desired present’ originated by James Wilk 2 Ecopurpose is defined in the next slide

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement Co-creation Futuregen

EcopurposeWhy the enterprise exists, beyond profit.

A declaration of the enterprise’s intent to generate value for a particular subset of society

in a particular way.

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement Co-creation Futuregen

Innovation approach

What is the dominant innovation approach?

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement Co-creation Futuregen

Innovation approach

Brainstorm then project manage

Brainstorm then project manageA linear, mechanical way of creating

new products and services

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement Co-creation Futuregen

Innovation approach

Brainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Design thinkingA human-centred approach to innovation, featuring customer insight, iterative concept development and rapid prototyping

Crowdsourcing is another manifestation of Worldview 2

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation

Futuregen

Innovation approach

Brainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Co-creationStakeholders work together to bring

something new into being

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

FuturegenEveryone works together to bring into being something

new that brings the company’s ecopurpose to lifeand helps turn the vision into reality

Spiral DynamicsSpiral Dynamics, a registered trademark of the National Values Center, Inc., is a theory of human development introduced in the 1996 book Spiral Dynamics by Don Beck and Chris Cowan. The book was based on the theory of psychology professor Clare W. Graves, and originally targeted at a business management audience. Some of the ideas of Spiral Dynamics have been adopted by American author Ken Wilber and other members of the Integral Institute. Source: Wikipedia.

I started to develop my Worldviews model several years before becoming aware of the existence of Spiral Dynamics. The original version of the model consisted of three worldviews: Worldview 1 (the current Worldview 1), Worldview 2 (the current Worldview 3), and Worldview 3 (the current Worldview 4). The current Worldview 2 was inspired by Spiral Dynamics.

Original Worldview 1 Worldview 2 Worldview 3

Current Worldview 1 Worldview 2 Worldview 3 Worldview 4

Spiral Dynamics Orange Green Yellow Turquoise

Spiral Dynamics evolution

Spiral Dynamics

Clare Graves

Don Beck Chris Cowan

Ken Wilber

Spiral Dynamics Integral

AQAL:All Quadrants (Wilber)All Levels (Beck & Cowan)

National Values Center

Professor Emeritus Psychology, Union College, New York The Emergent Cyclical Levels of Existence Theory

Spiral Dynamics linksSpiral Dynamics on Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics

Don Beck: Spiral Dynamics Integralwww.spiraldynamics.net

Chris Cowan: National Values Centerwww.spiraldynamics.org

Clare Graves legacy website (managed by Chris Cowan, Natasha Todorovic and William R. Lee)www.clarewgraves.com

The Center for Human Emergence (Don Beck, Ken Wilber & co.)www.humanemergence.org

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Finally, the Spiral Dynamics level that correspondswith each of the four worldviewsSource of the six-line descriptions: Wikipedia

(captured 5 June 2014)

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics Orange

The colour code for this Spiral Dynamics level isOrange

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange

StriveDrive

This Spiral Dynamics level is calledStriveDrive

Descriptor: Strategic

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange

StriveDrive

Strive for autonomy and independenceSeek out ‘the good life’ and material abundanceProgress through searching out the best solutionsEnhance living for many through science and technologyPlay to win and enjoy competitionLearning through tried-and-true experience

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange Green

StriveDrive

The colour code for this Spiral Dynamics level isGreen

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange Green

StriveDrive HumanBond

This Spiral Dynamics level is calledHumanBond

Descriptor: Relativistic

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange Green

StriveDrive HumanBond

Explore the inner beings of self and othersPromote a sense of community and unityShare society’s resources among allLiberate humans from greed and dogmaReach decisions through consensusRefresh spirituality and bring harmony

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange Green

StriveDrive HumanBond

“Green egalitarianism cannot easily abide excellence and value rankings, big pictures, hierarchies, or anything that appears authoritarian, and thus green reacts strongly to blue [pre-

orange], orange, and anything post-green.” View source

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange Green Yellow

StriveDrive HumanBond

The colour code for this Spiral Dynamics level isYellow

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange Green Yellow

StriveDrive HumanBond FlexFlow

This Spiral Dynamics level is calledFlexFlow

Descriptor: Systemic

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange Green Yellow

StriveDrive HumanBond FlexFlow

Accept the inevitability of nature’s flows and formsFocus on functionality, competence, flexibility, and spontaneityFind natural mix of conflicting ‘truths’ and ‘uncertainties’Discovering personal freedom without harm to others or excesses of self-interestExperience fullness of living on an Earth of such diversity in multiple dimensionsDemand integrative and open systems

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange Green Yellow Turquoise

StriveDrive HumanBond FlexFlow

The colour code for this Spiral Dynamics level isTurquoise

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange Green Yellow Turquoise

StriveDrive HumanBond FlexFlow WholeView

This Spiral Dynamics level is calledWholeView

Descriptor: Holistic

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange Green Yellow Turquoise

StriveDrive HumanBond FlexFlow WholeView

Holistic is not the same as systemic. Holistic means taking everything into account, including the

‘bad’ stuff, and including that which existsbeyond the physical realm.

Worldview 1 2 3 4

Metaphor Machine Network System Consciousness

Change approach Change management Engagement

Co-creation FuturegenInnovation

approachBrainstorm then project manage Design thinking

Spiral Dynamics

Orange Green Yellow Turquoise

StriveDrive HumanBond FlexFlow WholeView

Blending and harmonizing a strong collective of individualsFocus on the good of all living entities as integrated systemsExpanded use of human brain/mind tools and competenciesSelf is part of larger, conscious, spiritual whole that also serves selfGlobal networking seen as routineActs for minimalist living so less actually is more

There you have it.

FOUR MORE

Remember that each successive worldview incorporates preceding versions.

WORLDVIEW 4

WORLDVIEW 2

WORLDVIEW 1

WORLDVIEW 3

FuturegenFuturegen is a philosophy and practice that enables groups, enterprises and communities to create the future.

It is a synthesis of principles, concepts and methods drawn from a wide range of sources and reflecting the very latest thinking in the fields of strategy, innovation and change.

Futuregen is open source and in perpetual beta. It is the progeny of Futuregen Labs, which conceives, develops and births one-of-a-kind creations that disrupt the status quo and enrich the world, and that are readily available to everyone who might benefit from them.

The founder and director of Futuregen Labs is Jack Martin Leith.

Coming soon:Futuregen briefing paperFuturegen Labs website

@futuregenlabs

Until then, please contact me formore information about futuregen.

Jack Martin LeithDirector, Futuregen LabsBristol, United Kingdomemail: jack@jackmartinleith.comTelephone: 07582 598548 International: +44 7582 598548www.jackmartinleith.com

Thank you.