Wheatley Inspiration

I find it very interesting that the very thoughts shared by Margaret Wheatley while reading this book indeed transformed the way I think about organizational culture! Well, at least they should according to the role of the "Chaos Theory" in our very existence. With that said, it makes me wonder if there isn't some shred of reality embedded within these thoughts. I have a better understanding of the complexities of any organization as it is redefining itself. On one hand, most organizations are very classical in operation and identify a sense of security from maintaining structure that is very identifiable. On the other hand, those very organizations are often trying to create a shift in thinking that will lead to positive change. As Wheatley suggests, on one hand, we have drawn boundaries with clear authority and roles that are held accountable. While on the other hand, we question why these very processes are not getting results! They should be! We are following all the processes! However, if we were to look at the problem (or our organizational structure) from a more holistic vantage point, we might realize that we are only seeing the very obvious. We might see that there is much more detailed that shouldn't be overlooked. However, it is suggested that even the act of merely looking at the problem can create a biased observation that has been influence by our preconceived thoughts or ideas (relationships). It is for this reason, that I feel that most organizations have such a hard time making this shift in the first place. It is not concrete and accountability should not be so dependent. At least this is what some would argue. If we think of student learning in relation to what has been suggested, we would have to admit that trying to measure that learning as an isolated event or test or report card, is not very conducive to learning at all. It would also explain why relationships are so important. They do have an impact in our situational outcomes and can change our learning path. This, is not new to education. We have known for years that relationships can be a learning catalyst between the learner and the teacher. Why this is the case, may not have been so clear. However, maybe, we can use quantum physics to begin to understand. As relationships between all things can be very unpredictable, they can often create differing patterns of change. For instance, if while reading Wheatley's perspective, I was completely closed to any new patterns of thinking and I resented having to read this, then I might not walk away without having learned anything that I would deem useful. (This would be the result of my own thoughts and ideas and how they were challenged by what was suggested in the readings.) However, if I was reading Wheatley and looking for answers to questions that I may or may not have already had, then I might find new meaning and understanding in the answers suggested by this new perspective. Either way, my learning was shaped in part by having experienced my new relationship with Wheatley that the text has provided me. The same can be said about the prior knowledge and relationship that I was able bring to the text.

Now to the image above! I chose this image, because often times it is the perspective of the viewer which will determine the image that is visible. I feel that as suggested by Wheatley, that perspective is shaped by our past relationships with the world around us.