Demystifying Two Systems Behind Pioneering Initiatives in Sustainability and Democracy

1. Demystifying Two Systems Behind Pioneering Initiatives in Sustainability and Democracy The GreenMBA and Democracy Schools as Case Studies Jane Lorand, J.D., M.A. International Society for the Systems Sciences 50th Annual Conference, July 2006

2. GratitudeWe all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and were our teachers. I’m standing on some very broad shoulders. In addition to the people’s whose systems I’ll be explaining today, I want to share my gratitude especially to my partner, John Stayton, Dr. Rudolf Steiner, Bill McDonough, Dr. Richard Paul, and Rick Yenovkian.

3. AssumptionIf we are to advance sustainability and democracy, we will need pioneering initiatives and institutions to provide leadership.Entrepreneur’s StoryIs there a lesson for me?

4. The GreenMBA & the Democracy Schools

5. T F Steiner’s Picture W • Humans are Thinking, Feeling and Willing beings with self-reflective consciousness. • When our Thinking, Feeling, and Willing are balanced and also interpenetrating, we can be vibrant and healthy. When they aren’t, we can’t. • This is true on an individual and collective level.

6. Clarifying Terms First Thinking Reasoning Concrete Analysis Synthesis Intuition Association Fantasy Cognition Critical Thinking Beyond reactive, biased opinions or prejudices Feeling Sensations Perceptions Empathy Sentiments Sympathies Antipathies Passions Impressions Beyond sentimentality, melodrama, mawkishness Willing Exert your will into action Assert yourself Resolve & act Decide & act Choose & act Determination Perseverance Volunteer Beyond reflex or instinct, conscious initiative

7. An Example of T F WHard-core Corporate Capitalism Willing Thinking W T F Feeling Lots of carrots and sticks are needed to keep this going because it is working against human nature.

8. A Second ExampleFamiliar Non-profit Organization T F W Frustration, burnout and low productivity lead to low morale.

9. One More ExampleIvory Tower of Academia T F W Tradition, insulation, and low accountability are the inputs that keep this system going.

10. The more you have balance and integration of T, F, and W, the more vibrant and healthy your initiative and institution can be. Steiner says that morality thrives in the center. Center: work to maximize this space-flow is self-sustaining Deeds gush naturally. This is when we “love” what we’re doing. T W F

11. Observations that led to the GreenMBA1. Students who saw business as an opportunity to transform the products and processes that are unsustainable had no place to learn about business in that context.2. Conventional business schools look like this: F Lots of carrots and sticks and promises of security. T Lots of fear and competition W Lots of thinking about how to make as much money as fast as you can and get out.

12. Specific Application in the GreenMBA Efforts to Balance & Integrate TFWMoral Clarity and Alignment of Students’ and Faculty’s and GreenMBA’s mission: Why are we here?Set Rhythmic Forms for Sharing Feelings, Thoughts, and Accomplishments Continuous Improvement for Everyone- 4 times each year plus 1 hour/month individual advising for each studentWe Love our Students = We Give Them What They NeedCritical Thinking about Values is Supported Artistic Opportunities for Students and Faculty T W F + Feeling & Balance

13. Specific Application in the GreenMBA Efforts to Balance & Integrate TFWAn Open and Safe Culture to be Fully HumanA culture is a growing medium: the question is, what are we trying to grow?Clarity of Cooperation & Competition Toward Universal HumanityIntellectual HumilityIntegrity and DependabilityClear Standards for CompetenceTrust via TransparencyInclusiveness and Community Building is Modeled and Practiced T W F

14. When Vibrancy or Health Wane, We Diagnose for T, F, and WWhat is out of balance?The “How” to redesign is easy.In the paper on the conference’s site, I’ve put lots of details and examples of the “How.”

15. Democracy Schools – T, F, WParticipants are intense, threatened and ambivalent about their power and rights. “Good, law-abiding citizens” are destined to lose.Willing is weak because Thinking is not solid, therefore no sustainable action is possible. F W T

16. Democracy Schools – DesignBring Thinking so Willing can emerge.Teach US Constitutional history and ideals as they are relevant to the immediate threats. Show what other communities have done by reframing the issue away from Environmental Regulation …… right into the heart of democracy: Who should decide? Thinking Strengthens Will and balances Feelings.

17. Second System : TRIAD Education Dependent (Teacher, Boss, Authority Figure, Parent) Independent (Student, Employee, Individual, Child) Interdependent (Both, working together, negotiate) Learning and Assessment: Who decides (1) what will be learned, (2) how it will be learned, (3) and how it will be assessed?

18. TRIAD Education, David Morse 90+% of conventional schooling is Dependent 90+% of corporate training is Dependent Therefore, students have four choices: Submit Escape Rebel Manipulate Dependent This does not lead to vibrancy or health. We are walking upstream by design. Independent Interdependent Health, vitality, and (training to live in a democracy rather than an autocracy) requires balance and integration among Dependent, Independent & Interdependent learning and assessment. Simple? Sound familiar?

19. Integration of SystemsThinking/Feeling/WillingDependent/Independent/Interdependent Learning and AssessmentHow do these reinforce each other?

20. Social EntrepreneursAmbitious for the WorkHumble for OurselvesUsing the strength of systems for design criteria