Prerequisite capabilities for the successful implementation of Theory U

Last week, we introduced the Theory U principle which enables Leaders to learn from the future as it emerges instead of focusing on past failures to come up with solutions to challenges faced.

This week, we focus on the capabilities that are required at each of the stages of the Theory U process for the successful implementation of change within organisations.

These capabilities are important because Theory U is a function of the quality of awareness, attention, or consciousness that the participants in the system operate from.

The three stages of the Theory U, sensing, presencing and realising, require a set of capabilities for the process to be effective and result in meaningful decisions. These capabilities are summarised as Open Mind, Open Heart, and Open will.

Open Mind

The observation phase of the U focuses on understanding the individual and collective reality, related to the issue at hand. Observation is done at both emotional and empirical levels. This level requires team member to Co-initiate the process by uncovering the common intent by getting clarity on the intention and adaptive challenge. Co- sensing involves deep listening to the whole system (old structure, old processes, old thinking) focusing on what wants to emerge.

This stage requires letting go of deeply held limiting beliefs that usually guide decision making.

At this stage teams need to be able to empathise with an array of perspectives. The observation phase is an opportunity for individuals to reveal their default mindsets and narratives and to consciously choose and reinforce those that maximize transformative potential. Put simply Open Mind involves “the ability to see something with new eyes.

Suspending our voice of judgment, shutting down (or embracing and changing) the habit of judgment based on past experience, it means opening up a new space of inquiry and wonder” (Ana Marques).

Open heart

This presencing phase of theory U is characterised by connecting with each individual and groups sense of meaning and purpose. For transformative action to take root, it is essential for participants to reflect and connect with a deeper generative awareness and to let fewer familiar perspectives contribute to new ways of understanding and new insights. It entails teams to consciously act from a place of alignment with their deepest values. According to Scharmer, deliberately choosing which mindsets or values we wish to act from, and then taking steps to “presence” ourselves in that mindset, is a key sustainability leadership capacity.

Open will

Open will enables us to begin to act from the emerging whole. It is the ability to let go, that is having the desire and ability of letting go our old identities and intentions and focus into the future that is seeking to emerge through me or us. This is where realizing and enacting of new designs takes place. The stage involves Co-evolving where re-engagement with key stakeholders and making commitments to collective actions takes place. This is achieved by crystalizing broad intentions and principles and deciding on practical plans for applying ideas into transformative action.

Co-creation is achieved by standing in the place of desired future and new possibilities and selecting organisational values. In this final phase, teams distil the messages/learnings, understand the relevance to their own work, and be able to articulate and share insights with others.

In summary the theory U process takes the participant through a journey of the IQ (intellectual intelligence)—open mind, then at the level of EQ (Emotional intelligence)—open heart, and finally at the deepest source of meaning, the level of SQ (spiritual or meaning intelligence)—open will.  This practice if done properly is profoundly transformational. When leveraged properly, the Theory U framework can assist leaders in their quest to engage people, build trust and drive new growth through a long-term strategic process of growth.

Chiedza Kadare is an OD Practitioner. You can get in touch with her on WhatsApp/call +263 77 283 0986 or Email chiedza.kadare@gmail.com Paul Nyausaru is an OD Practitioner and leadership coach. For all your OD interventions and leadership development training you can get in touch with him on WhatsApp/call +263774062756 or Email pnyausaru@gmail.com