A colleague recently shared a quote that captured my attention:
“When a complex system is far from equilibrium, small islands of coherence in a sea of chaos have the capacity to shift the entire system to a higher order.” -Ilya Prigogine, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry
It makes me wonder… Could this conclusion from a lifetime of observing and experimenting in the physical world of chemistry also apply to the world of work? In fact, I have observed this many times. Let me explain.
Edwin Friedman, a systems theorist and rabbi, taught that change in a family or any other organization requires a leader who is self-differentiated, connected, and non-anxious. He said, “The function of a leader within any institution is to provide that regulation through his or her non-anxious, self-defined presence.”
We believe and teach that leaders influence at all levels in the organization, regardless of job title or formal authority. In fact, perhaps the most influential leaders have no formal authority. Yet they have the power to change their own small teams, and eventually that change may extend to the whole organization.
So how do you shift your system to a higher order?
Become an “owner” of yourself.
Own your emotions instead of blaming others. Our words often give us away: When we say “She made me angry,” we are disowning our own choices. These choices may seem automatic, but, as an owner of yourself, you realize that you can make new choices that differentiate you and make you more effective.
When you hear yourself complaining, stop and ask yourself, “What action can I take in this situation to make a difference?” Owners can change the dynamics in a group over time by transforming themselves first.
Increase your credibility.
Look deep within yourself to your characteristic responses. Where are you duplicitous? Where do you hedge the truth? When do you fail to follow through with your promises? As you increase your integrity and dependability, you become more and more trustworthy.
Trustworthy people are influential because they are believable. They don’t just take a stand about some ideal or the latest trend. Instead, they have a personal purpose that is meaningful and worth standing for. What is most important to you? How do you demonstrate your core purpose?
Build relationships.
We really do need each other. Humans are not designed to live in isolation. We need authentic relationships in which we know others and are truly known. Leaders are by definition connected to others. These genuine connections mean that others can see our inconsistencies, strengths, and weaknesses. In these connections, we admit our mistakes and correct them.
I believe that a true friend holds up a mirror with their words to allow us to see ourselves clearly. This is how we overcome our blind spots. We need these kinds of friends, and others need the same.
You’ve seen the famous quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” You can make a difference in your world one person at a time. I find that I complain about the quiet, consistent worries I have within myself. Examine your complaints. Determine today to begin addressing your complaint by creating change for yourself, in yourself. Model personal coherence. These inner shifts can powerfully influence other individuals and transform entire organizations.
