Emergent strategy
I‘m excited by the potential of emergent strategy, but I find that folks have a hard time opening to it based on theory alone. So, I was jazzed to come across these examples of how the concept is taking concrete form in some nonprofits. It is so helpful, both for applied work and for teaching, to have relevant case studies.
If you’re new to the idea or want a refresher, I strongly recommend adrienne maree brown’s groundbreaking book, Emergent Strategy. Here’s a crib sheet…
To begin, brown proposes 9 principles of emergent strategy. These are underlying commitments that emergent strategists embrace:
(1) Small is good, small is all. (The large is a reflection of the small.)
(2) Change is constant. (Be like water.)
(3) There is always enough time for the right work.
(4) There is a conversation in the room that only these people at this moment can have. Find it.
(5) Never a failure, always a lesson.
(6) Trust the People. (If you trust the people, they become trustworthy.)
(7) Move at the speed of trust. Focus on critical connections more than critical mass—build the resilience by building the relationships.
(8) Less prep, more presence.
(9) What you pay attention to grows.
—adrienne maree brown, Emergent Strategy (p44)
From there, brown outlines and explores 6 core elements of emergent strategies. If you want to incorporate these elements in your own strategic work, you might consider for each, how do my plans tangibly incorporate this or that element (and flagging aspects of your work that ignore or resist it):
(1) Fractal (the relationship between small and large)
(2) Adaptive (how we change)
(3) Interdependence and Decentralization (who we are and how we share)
(4) Non-linear and Iterative (the pace and pathways of change)
(5) Resilience and Transformative Justice (how we recover and transform)
(6) Creating More Possibilities (how we move towards life)
—adrienne maree brown, Emergent Strategy (p52)
brown then goes on to demonstrate how she uses these concepts in her movement work and as a facilitator. She also incorporates creative writing that helps makes this serious book nonlinear (a core element) and playful. Throughout, she emphasizes Octavia Butler as an honored progenitor of today’s emergent strategies.
Beyond the book, check out brown’s work at the Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute, “supporting movements to get in right relationship with change.”
Finally, the Collective Change Lab promotes an approach that resonates strongly with brown’s model. They teach that effective practices for systems change demonstrate 5 qualities:
(1) Deep Relational Work
(2) Cultivating Space for Healing
(3) Serendipity and the Sacred
(4) Inner and Outer Change
(5) Transforming Power Dynamics
—Collective Change Lab, “How Systems Shift”
Taken together, these speak to the tremendous potential and exciting work in progress for real systems change.
Lord knows, we need it.
Every other Friday, I share 5 things to consider and a treasure chest of links in my Helping Friendly . Subscribe here (it’s free).