Page 164 - In Pursuit of the Sunbeam.indd

Once again we look to Senge in The Fifth Discipline, “Building an organization where it is safe for people to create visions, where inquiry and commitment to the truth are the norm and challenging the status quo is expected – especially when the status quo includes obscuring aspects of current reality that people seek to avoid.” In this sense, cohabitation with creative chaos becomes the desired norm. Why do we strive for chaos over status quo? Or, even make chaos the status quo? Because there are more possibilities in chaos. Many creative and successful people we’ve known over the years have incredibly messy desks or offices. Because generally our society embraces status quo, most of us think there is something wrong with a messy desk. However, like these people’s minds, their desks are places where anything can happen. No idea or paper is filed in one specific place, pigeon holed for one stayed purpose only. Ideas and papers can move, change and be looked at in different ways. Energy is spent finding the possibilities contained within them instead of arranging them in an orderly fashion. These people do not work well with a clean desk. For them, chaos is the way.
The organization, like a messy desk, like our newly open minds, is responsive and fluid. It has permeable edges that absorb what it needs to stay viable. In ten years, as things change, as the residents and staff change, it may look different, but it will still be the elders’ place.
It is by normalizing creative chaos that the organization becomes ever learning. Learning becomes part of everyone’s day-to-day job. People must continually practice the art of learning, growing and creating. To be good at anything requires practice. And then, as we become skilled, we must continue practicing to maintain our skill. This is how we will embrace the reality and normalcy of life in our households and leave the institution behind.
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“Why do we strive for chaos over status quo? Or, even make chaos the status quo? Because there are more possibilities in chaos.”
“It is by normalizing creative chaos that the organization becomes ever learning.”