Michael Lissack
The philosophical position here draws from complex adaptive systems theory - the idea that coherent patterns can emerge naturally within ap- propriate boundaries without detailed prescription. The author suggests creating conditions under which coherent action can emerge despite (or even because of) the complexity around us, rather than trying to control every detail.
3. Holism and Coherence
The concept of “coherence” serves as a cornerstone philosophical prin- ciple throughout the text. Defined as “an alignment of context, viewpoint, purpose, and action that enables further purposive action,” coherence represents how seemingly disparate elements can function as an inte- grated whole. This holistic perspective sees organizations not as collections of sepa- rate departments or functions but as integrated systems where alignment across all dimensions creates effectiveness. The author emphasizes that coherence isn’t a state to be achieved once and for all, but a dynamic ca- pability to be continuously cultivated.
4. Constructivism and Narrative Intelligence
The text embraces a constructivist epistemology, particularly in its approach to storytelling and language. The author argues that “stories ar- en’t just how we communicate reality—they’re how we create it” and that humans “don’t experience raw reality directly” but rather process infor- mation through narrative frameworks that help make sense of complexity. This constructivist view sees language not merely as a tool for com- munication but as a fundamental shaper of reality. The author contends that “the language patterns that prevail in an organization don’t merely describe reality—they construct it,” reflecting how our linguistic frame- works determine what we can perceive and how we understand our environments.
464
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease