Explore Theory U Leadership: Novel solutions you might not otherwise find

Exploring Theory U Leadership process framework

Would you like to learn a way to explore issues in life, business and leadership by taking a deep dive within (with others) that results in novel solutions that might not have happened otherwise? If this has you curious then join us to learn about and experience u.lab The u.lab course is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) that is run by MIT’s Otto Scharmer and his amazing team.

Kabir, Jerry, Eloy and Lindsay have all taken the u.lab course over the years and we all had great experiences with it. We have been involved in u.lab Coaching Circles both local, in person as well as internationally (using Zoom).

The presencing process that is taught in the course is a way of widening, deepening and expanding perspectives. It is a way of being present and sensing what is available (but maybe unseen otherwise). It has some qualities that San Diego Integral tries to tap into with our Focused Integral Group Discussion process.

If you are interested in these free courses, you can register at edx.org & search for u.lab.

From the MIT course description:

About this courseWe live in a time of disruptive change. How to activate our capacity to lean into the emerging future may well be the most important leadership challenge of our time. How do you cultivate curiosity, compassion and courage in the face of prejudice, anger and fear?

This course is an introduction to a method called Theory U, developed at MIT, for leading such change in business, government, and civil society contexts worldwide.

The only prerequisite for this course is u.lab 15.671.0x, an introductory overview--which you can complete in just 90 minutes. Building on the intention you set in u.lab 15.671.0x, 15.671.1x will help you to apply the Theory U method to an issue that matters to you, with fellow change makers locally and around the world. Join us as we co-pioneer new approaches to today’s most important social and environmental challenges using a method of awareness based systems change.

What you'll learn
• The leadership knowledge that matters most: self-knowledge
• Capacities of deep listening, precise observation, and dialogue
• Practices for creating institutional innovations that generate wellbeing in society

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In February, 2017 San Diego Integral began the Focused Integral Group Discussion (FIGD) which is a meta-structuring format where we briefly switch into an agreed upon process to optimally utilize the We-Space. The objective of FIGD is to collectively feel deeper into any topic and promote a causal state experience where we briefly switch from a collective I to a collective we. A Focused Integral Group process is "running in the background" until a salient moment rises that we want to explore. This may be derived from a presentation, a poignant comment by a member, a poem...whatever has resonance and can be horizontally expanded by the collective. This moment is identified by the "moderator" who helps maintain focus.

FIGD have three parts. It begins with a formal focus, followed by commentary on the process and then a discussion. Each segment lasts for 3-8 minutes. We have committed to a minimal of three FIGD per meeting. We have found that the intensity of these collective focused moments have increased with experience and skill and seem to delightfully persist throughout the three phases. This is very much an experimental process we have been Improving upon after each meeting.

As previously mentioned FIGD was initially described for the February, 2017. The sequential evolution of FIGD can be seen in the PAGES tab above. New or returning members are encouraged to read these brief papers in preparation for participation. Updates have followed each SDI meeting.

SDI is committed to the creative advance into novelty.