Emergent Strategy

1. Emergent Strategy: Adapting to Change in Complex Systems

"Emergent strategy is how we intentionally change in ways that grow our capacity to embody the just and liberated worlds we long for."

Complex systems theory. Emergent strategy draws inspiration from nature and complex systems theory to understand how small-scale interactions can lead to large-scale change. It emphasizes adaptability, interconnectedness, and intentional evolution in the face of constant change.

Application to social movements. This approach offers a framework for social justice movements to become more resilient, adaptive, and effective. By understanding and working with the natural patterns of change, organizations can better navigate complexity and uncertainty. Emergent strategy encourages a shift from rigid, top-down planning to more flexible, collaborative approaches that can respond to evolving circumstances and leverage collective intelligence.

2. Fractals: Small-Scale Actions Reflect Large-Scale Patterns

"Transform yourself to transform the world."

Fractal nature of change. The concept of fractals in emergent strategy suggests that patterns repeat at different scales. This means that the way we show up in our personal lives and small-scale interactions reflects and influences larger systemic changes.

Personal and systemic transformation. By focusing on embodying the values and practices we want to see in the world, we create ripple effects that can lead to broader societal shifts. This principle encourages:

• Aligning personal behavior with collective values
• Practicing desired changes in small, everyday interactions
• Recognizing that individual growth contributes to systemic change

3. Intentional Adaptation: Embracing Change with Purpose

"Change is constant. (Be like water)."

Flexibility with direction. Intentional adaptation combines the ability to change with a clear sense of purpose and direction. It's about staying true to core values and goals while being flexible in how to achieve them.

Practices for intentional adaptation:

• Developing a clear vision and mission
• Creating strategic intentions rather than rigid plans
• Regularly reassessing and adjusting strategies
• Cultivating mindfulness and presence to respond effectively to change
• Embracing failure as a learning opportunity

4. Interdependence and Decentralization: Collective Power Through Connection

"We need each other—I love the idea of shifting from 'mile wide inch deep' movements to 'inch wide mile deep' movements that schism the existing paradigm."

Networked strength. Interdependence recognizes that our individual and collective power comes from our connections and relationships. Decentralization distributes power and decision-making across networks rather than concentrating it at the top.

Building collaborative movements:

• Fostering deep, authentic relationships
• Developing trust and shared accountability
• Creating decentralized leadership structures
• Emphasizing collective care and mutual support
• Leveraging diverse skills and perspectives within networks

5. Nonlinear and Iterative Progress: Embracing Cycles of Growth

"Transformation doesn't happen in a linear way, at least not one we can always track. It happens in cycles, convergences, explosions."

Cyclical growth. Change and progress often happen in cycles rather than straight lines. This principle encourages embracing the natural ebb and flow of growth, recognizing that setbacks and periods of apparent stagnation are part of the process.

Iterative approaches:

• Regular reflection and evaluation cycles
• Learning from failures and successes
• Adapting strategies based on new information
• Celebrating small wins and incremental progress
• Recognizing that change often happens in unexpected ways and timeframes

6. Resilience and Transformative Justice: Healing and Evolving Together

"Resilience is unveiled when we are triggered, injured, heartbroken, attacked, challenged."

Collective healing. Resilience in emergent strategy goes beyond individual toughness to focus on collective ability to recover, learn, and grow from challenges. Transformative justice seeks to address harm and conflict in ways that heal and strengthen communities rather than punish individuals.

Practices for resilience and transformative justice:

• Developing community support systems
• Creating processes for addressing conflict and harm
• Focusing on root causes of issues rather than symptoms
• Cultivating compassion and understanding
• Building skills for emotional processing and healing

7. Creating More Possibilities: Expanding Our Collective Future

"The more people who cocreate the future, the more people whose concerns will be addressed from the foundational level in this world."

Collaborative visioning. This principle emphasizes the importance of inclusive and collaborative processes for imagining and creating our collective future. It recognizes that the more diverse perspectives we include, the more robust and inclusive our solutions will be.

Expanding possibilities:

• Engaging in collective visioning exercises
• Practicing "collaborative ideation" to generate ideas together
• Creating space for marginalized voices in shaping the future
• Exploring speculative fiction and other creative practices
• Challenging limiting beliefs about what's possible

8. Facilitation Tools for Emergent Strategy: Guiding Collaborative Change

"To facilitate means to make it easy, and I feel like finally it is happening; it is getting easier for the participants and for me and my co-facilitators."

Facilitation as key skill. Effective facilitation is crucial for implementing emergent strategy principles in groups and organizations. It involves creating conditions for collective intelligence to emerge and guiding groups through complex decision-making processes.

Key facilitation tools and practices:

• Developing clear shared goals and intentions
• Using proposal-based decision-making
• Creating spacious, adaptable agendas
• Employing circular and visual planning methods
• Balancing structure with flexibility
• Fostering authentic participation and shared leadership

9. Trust the People: Empowering Collective Wisdom in Decision-Making

"If you trust the people, they become trustworthy."

Collective intelligence. This principle emphasizes the importance of trusting in the wisdom and capabilities of groups and communities. It challenges top-down, expert-driven approaches in favor of more participatory and inclusive processes.

Practices for trusting the people:

• Inviting diverse perspectives into decision-making processes
• Creating space for dissent and conflicting viewpoints
• Developing shared leadership models
• Fostering transparency and open communication
• Building skills for effective collaboration and consensus-building
• Celebrating and leveraging the unique strengths of individuals within a group

Last updated: January 22, 2025