I had the good fortune to have a sabbatical from September through December 2008. During that time, I had a chance to study integral theory, mediation and conflict resolution, and leadership development. One of the more influential books I read during my sabbatical was by Otto Scharmer. Titled Theory U: Leading from the Future as It Emerges, the book addresses the social technology of presencing.
Every nurse knows presencing. Scharmer defines it, "to sense, tune in and act from one's highest future potential—the future that depends on us to bring it into being." Presencing blends the words "presence" and "sensing" and works through "seeing from our deepest source."
Presencing is about the economy of creating, and it involves shifting attention and moving through stages and states of downloading—from talking nice; to debating, or talking tough; to dialoguing, which involves reflective inquiry; to presencing, which supports collective creativity. This is in contrast to the economy of destruction, which silences the views of others, supports blaming and absencing, which are grounded in hubris and often lead to intrigue and disinformation, harassing, bullying, annihilation and collective collapse.
Presencing requires effort and individual action. If you want to read stories about presencing or learn more about tools and practices that support Theory U processes, consider spending some time investigating the Presencing Institute.
Given today's fast-paced health care contexts, presencing is more challenging than ever. It is also more essential and necessary than ever before. Nurses are the people who can assume a leadership role in creating a more highly evolved health care system through strategic and sustained application of Theory U principles, practices and presencing.
I hope you investigate this theory and learn how it was used to create new models of health care delivery. How might you begin to use Theory U and intentional presencing in your work?
For Reflections on Nursing Leadership, published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.
Daniel, how great to read your blog!
ReplyDeleteI love what you said, that presencing "supports collective creativity".
This is the experience I have every time I sit in a nursing governance meeting that really "works" -- nurses are bringing about the future they know they need and recgnizing that only they can create it!
Thanks for all the inspiration you bring to us. I look forward to your future contributions!
--paula forte
Daniel, we share similar values across oceans and continents. I am a British nurse academic who feels passionate about learning in the workplace, including Higher Education. Since being awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2005 I have found myself mentoring other academics across the university in reflection and for applications for national and internal Learning and Teaching Fellowships.
ReplyDeleteMy DPhil work has been focused on accrediting work-based learning for undergraduate,Masters and PhD studies. Initially, many learners struggle with the reflections, situational analysis and the development of mindful inquiry, but once they have mastered such skills they have become so powerful in leading change and making a huge difference in practice - more evidence - Moore & Bridger 2008.
The tacit knowledge is so important for nurses to explore as 'naturalistic generalizations'can be derived from:
"...the tacit knowledge of how things are, why they are, how people feel about them, and how these things are likely to be later or in other places with which the person is familiar." (Stake, 2000:22)
Even more important as change is a constant in our working lives.Space to reflect and explore assumptions and ethical tensions is key to the development of the mindfulness and leadership skills.
Senge et al's work "Dancing with Change," and Scharmer's work, "Theory U" are a must for all nurses to read, to regain the confidence in self and to embrace the generative leadership, for as nurses we can read the ever changing situations we experience whether at work or in the social settings. Nurses can develop the "Can-do ethos" through reflection; a powerful catalyst to cope with change.
Regards,
Lesley Moore
References
Moore, L. & Bridger, J. (2008) Report: A Realistic, Longitudinal Evaluation of Work-based Learning of Qualified Nurses. University of the West of England, Bristol. Accessible from -http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/net/research/Data/Sites/1/webformatevaluationproj.pdf
Stake, R.E.(2000) The Case Study Method in Social Inquiry. In Gomm, R., Hammersley, M. & Foster, P. (Eds) Case Study Method. London: Sage Publications.