People often say that change is constant. It is an easy phrase to offer—especially when someone else is experiencing change and you are not.
Even when we don’t know it, change is happening all around us.
⇒ Change is happening in our bodies
⇒ Change is happening in our families
⇒ Change is happening in our communities
⇒ Change is happening in our companies
⇒ Change is happening in our teams
⇒ Change is happening in our world
Transformation and change remind me of a very helpful concept: Order, Disorder, and Reorder, what many call The Wisdom Pattern[1].
Let me briefly describe the pattern.
Order – is often the first or present existence of something. Often described as ‘the way things should be.’ Order is the place where change is to be avoided, where our ego seeks to keep things the way they are, when we hunker down and pretend that the ‘status quo’ is good, good for you, and should be good for everyone.
Disorder – at some point we become deeply disappointed in the way things are ordered and recognize that improvements can be made. During disorder, some form of disruption occurs, impacting our normal way of doing, thinking, and being in the world. In disorder, some people try to return to order, dismissing or denying the change that has occurred. Doing so limits learning and reduces the opportunity for personal and organizational growth. Others recognize the importance of being in disorder and the sage teacher it becomes, helping them listen, learn, co-create something new and better with the disorder.
Reorder – only in reorder can both darkness and light exist together. Crossing the threshold into reorder makes way for a deeper knowing of what has been true all along: that failure is a part of learning, that pruning is a part of growth, that death is a part of life, that opposites collide, and unite. Reorder is where everything belongs.
Recently, I’ve gone through the wisdom pattern and can share that it has been one of the most challenging, thought provoking, inspiring, and enlightening periods in my life.
The Wisdom Pattern, which is deeply rooted in faith, is similar to C. Otto Scharmer's organizational change concept called Theory U. At the very bottom of the U, the point of transformation (when you cross from disorder to reorder), Scharmer describes moments of presencing. Presencing is the time when you LET GO of what you have been holding onto (and keeping you from change) and LET COME an emerging future.
What is true in these moments (of letting go and letting come and the transition from disorder to reorder) is that you are going from a known reality into unknown future. In other words, you don't know what is coming...you have to experience it.
It is a little hard to describe, which is why we choose story to help us understand it better.
As I’ve emerged into reorder and from presencing, what has been true of me continues to be true. I deeply care about:
o helping organizations and their leaders transform
o supporting you to find your path towards a vibrant future
o helping you rally support (especially through fundraising) for your emerging vision
o supporting you create whole-person relationships with those around you
o coaching you lead with humility, listening, and curiosity
For those reading this blog, you will notice a new logo, a new color palette, and a new organizational name A Cause Greater. My new home for human and organizational development Process Consulting and coaching ... now open for business.
You will also notice that the story and how that story is being told are familiar. This blog has always been a place where I share Client stories (anonymously) and the learnings we can take from them. Little nuggets of truth and wisdom that can be applied in your life and leadership
I am deeply grateful to have supported nearly 300 Clients over the past 15 years. I'm looking forward to helping you make the changes you seek. Thank you for allowing me to walk alongside you.
Giddy up!
Lon
P.S. If you’d like to learn more about my recent journey through the Wisdom Pattern, please use this link to schedule a time to chat.
[1] The Wisdom Pattern, Richard Rohr, Franciscan Media, 2020.