suule 2009

SUULE 2009

System Thinking

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Beginning with Systems

Our congregations

are a human

emotional systems

Ludwig von Bertalanffy

Systems theory was proposed in the 1940's by the biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy.

A trans-discipline theory.



“General system theory, therefore, is a general science of wholeness… The meaning of the somewhat mystical expression, ‘The whole is more than the sum of its parts’ is simply that constitutive characteristics are not explainable from the characteristics of the isolated parts…” - Ludwig von Bertalanffy

Family Systems Thinking Systems Theory

applied to emotional systems

• Dr. Murray Bowen– Family therapist– “Science of the family.”

• Rabbi Dr. Edwin H. Friedman– “Generation to Generation”– “Reinventing Leadership”– “A Failure of Nerve”

Systems Thinking

• To think “System” is to think in a unique way.

• Interrelationships exist among discrete parts.

• Things do not exist independently, only in relationship to something else.

Systems Thinking

Whole cannot be understood by simply understanding each part.

Things only function as they do because of the presence of one another.

Systems Thinking

»S -elf Differentiation

»H -omeostasis

»I -dentified Patient

»F -amily Field

»T -riangulation

Self-Differentiation

The ability of a individual to remain an individual and still connected to others within an emotional system

Maturity

Not catching or spreading anxiety

Not taking things personally

To be in the system - but not of the

system.

HomeostasisThe reality that the system has more effect on the parts than the parts do on the system.

We will bounce back to the same old rut every time.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

We like things just the way they are - even if we say we don’t.

Homeostasis

A system will maintain the status-quo.

The system fights influences that will produce a change unless or until things become painfully intolerable.

Identified Patient

• Conflict seems to focus around one particular team member. The conflict might manifest itself as either organizational or interpersonal issues, or both, but whatever the problem seems to be, the problem is never the problem. Rick Brenner

Identified Patient

The focus of conflictis often a role —it can be filled

by anyone

Extended Family Field

The baggage we bring with us into every community we join.

The bags that were carefully packed by our parents whose bags were carefully packed by our grandparents.

Tri-generational at least.

Sibling Position:

“Mom always liked you best.”

• Birth order and personalityThe family standard bearerThe family negotiatorThe family party animal









Dysfunction in theExtended Family Field

“It’s All Your Fault.”• Glomminess• Blame• Victimizing• Emotional Distance and/or Cut Off• Conflict

Illustration 2, Emotional triangle of Albert Einstein's conflict with his mother Pauline, and the emotional cut-off

between Pauline and Mileva

Emotional Triangles and Triangulation

Is this my stuff?







What are our responsibilities as leaders of covenantal faith

communities?

Who and what do we serve?

How do we function?

Responsibility of Leadership

We can only change a relationship to which we belong. Therefore, the way to bring change to the relationship of two others (and no one said it is easy) is to try to maintain a well-defined relationship with each, and to avoid taking responsibility for their relationship with each other. - Dr Edwin Friedman

If power is given and excepted, triangulation is complete. If the third person accepts the responsibility of the secret and the burden of the anxiety it is triangulation.

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Me

Other

3rd Person or Issue

My responsibility

Covenant

My responsibility

Clarity

My responsibility

Manage my anxiety

Maintain covenant and clarity

Systems Thinking Five Basic Concepts - Review






Me

Other

3rd Person or Issue

Leadership by presence and functioning

not data and technique



Liberty leading the people

Being = Presence

Doing = Functioning

Great Leaders

• Lead by presence and functioning

• Not technique and data

• Being and doing

Leadership is the spiritual process of discerning what one believes (clarity), acting on that belief in the public arena (decisiveness), and standing behind that action despite the varied responses of people (courage).

- Rev. Frank Thomas

Leadership

It’s Lonely at the Top

To lead is to no longer be a member.

Leadership

The bad leader is hated by the people.

The good leader is loved by the people.

The great leader leaves the people

understanding they did it themselves.

- Taoist Saying

suule 2009

Documents

general system theory

system thinkingbeginning

homeostasisa system

bertalanffy systems

system fights influences

things personallyto

emotional cutoff

bertalanffyfamily systems