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.
