MODULE 6

RECODE YOUR IDENTITY

42% Complete

Recode Activator Module 6

"You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model
that makes the existing model obsolete."
- Buckminster Fuller

  • Recode Your Identity, Part 2

    Develop Systemic thinking and Problem Solving.  In this module you’ll learn what systems thinking is, why it’s critical to you and to humanity, and how to apply it to reconsider your approach to your current projects.  We’ll compare and contrast systems thinking with “normal” analytical cause and effect thinking unlocking new ways of understanding how the various parts in a system relate and inter effect each other.


Recode Module 6 Videos

This week's trainings contain 13 videos  on Recoding Your Identity - Applying Systems Thinking To Recode Your Identity where you'll learn how to think more systemically about your projects, relationships, desired outcomes, and the world.  Start each module by watching the videos below and following along with our downloadable Recode Manual.

Each module contains exercises and reflection questions to help you integrate this material.  These exercises will be explained in the videos and will appear in an editable Recode Workbook which you can use to fill in your responses.

Click the video thumbnails below to watch each video or download the audio versions below to listen on the go.  You'll find the Recode Manual and Workbook for Module 6 down below to gain access to the summaries, diagrams, integration exercises, and reflection journal discussed in this video.

RECODE MODULE 6, Video 1: What Is Systems Thinking (12:48)

In this video explore what systems thinking is and what systems thinkers tend to focus on.  We explore the differences between "normal", analytical thinking and systems thinking to help you understand when it's valuable to take a more systemic approach.

RECODE MODULE 6, Video 2: Identifying as System vs Self (5:38)

In this video we take a deep look at normal thinking vs systems thinking as we present the first of 5 basic principles of systems thinking.  We begin with principle #1 Being systems identified versus being self identified and illustrate this principle with a common issue that many businesses face where our 'normal' thinking is insufficient to completely address this issue.

RECODE MODULE 6, Video 3: Collective vs Comparative Benefit (6:45)

In this video look at principle #2 Collective Benefit vs Comparative Benefit as we explore what happens when two projects with the same intended outcome go about it differently.  We find that 10 out of 10 economists would have predicted wrong.

RECODE MODULE 6, Video 4: Emergent vs Cause and Effect Thinking (3:32)

In this video we talk about principle #3 Emergent vs Cause and Effect thinking.  Here we come to understand that the whole is often greater than the sum of it's parts and each situation has multiple causes and multiple effects that all inter-effect each other.  There are limits of usefulness in using direct, local, linear cause and effect thinking to try to solve more complex issues.

RECODE MODULE 6,  Video 5: Beneficial at Infinite Scale vs Partially Beneficial at Local Scale (6:44)

In this video we introduce principle #4 Being Beneficial at Infinite Scale vs Being Partially Beneficial at Local Scale using an example from Mayor Giuliani who applied systemic thinking to reduce crime and improve New York's reputation as a rough city -- a complex problem that very few in his position have been able to crack.

RECODE MODULE 6, Video 6: Zero Waste vs Externalization of Harm (6:10)

In this video we talk about the final principle #5 Zero Waste vs Externalization of Waste and Harm.  Here we take a look at examples of this in our natural ecosystems to help explain how to create zero waste systems and to understand that everything is inside of a larger system and if the by product of one interaction externalizes harm to a larger system then that system eventually crashes and becomes self-terminating.

RECODE MODULE 6, Video 7: Why Systems Thinking Is Critical (10:37)

In this video we walk you through several key points to consider about why systems thinking is essential for our ability to change and create a world that works for everyone AND how systems thinking applies more directly to you in your projects and businesses.

RECODE MODULE 6, Video 8: Putting Systems Thinking Into Action I (18:00)

In this video we begin our integration exercise where you are asked to create a Systemic Map of your Project noting all the positive and negative influences and strategies that are available to create the desired state of your project.   You'll begin the process of reconsidering your project through the lens of systems thinking.

RECODE MODULE 6, Video 9: Putting Systems Thinking Into Action II (29:01)

In this video we finish our integration exercise by adding the various assets each strategy requires for it's success highlighting areas on your map where the 5 principles are brightest and looking for which strategies and assets make the most sense to begin developing based on your desired outcome.

RECODE MODULE 6, Video 10: Interview With Daniel Schmachtenberger, Pt1  (12:59)

In this video we introduce you to Daniel Schmachtenberger a global strategist and expert systems thinker.  Here we talk about what systems thinking is and three concepts of systems thinking.

RECODE MODULE 6, Video 11: Interview with Daniel Schmachtenberger, Pt2 (14:57)

In this video we continue our interview with a deep dive into 'externalization' and 'internalization' including the elephant poaching story, and how to apply systems theory to intimate relationships.  He shows us how to apply  empathy and perspective and other essentials skills of the systems thinker to business.

RECODE MODULE 6, Video 12: Interview with Daniel Schmachtenberger, Pt3 (14:56)

In this video we finish our interview with Daniel Schmachtenberger on applying systems thinking to your business, with a discussion of mixed imperatives, mission vs method, the psychology of leaders, and daniel's personal story of how he became a systems thinker as well as what you can do to enhance your own systems thinking.

RECODE MODULE 6, Video 13: Integration & Tools  (7:38)

In this video we finish with several deep considerations we'd like you to take away from this module and show you the tools you might use to assist you in the integration exercise.


  • Integration Exercise

    This week we are recoding your identity by having you put systems thinking and problem solving into action.  In this exercise you will use systems thinking to reconsider the definition, goals, and boundaries of one of your projects or businesses.  We’ll take you step-by-step through this reconsideration process that may give you a very different sense of what the urgent priorities are, the best models of success to emulate, the assets you need to develop, and the beginnings of a way of speaking about the project that will attract the best possible partners and supporters.

    The full instructions are in the manual and a summary of the exercise is below.  It may take several sessions to complete.  Software tools that you can use to create your mind map can be found below.

    1.  A Systems Map Of Your Project:  You will be creating a systems map of your current project first by identifying the desired state that your project is intending on creating – remember this is not about you or your methods this is the global impact your project is supposed to have.  Then you will add to your map all of the possible strategies to achieve that desired state first looking at how others in your industry are doing it and then creating more creative and looking at people and systems that are using vastly different strategies.  You will add to your map the positive and negative influences over this desired outcome and all of the assets each strategy depends on for it’s success highlighting areas of this map which are in alignment with our 5 principles.

    2.  Systems Mapping Tools:  Here are 3 tools in addition to the mind mapping software we recommended in Module 4.  They are each software tools which can track, visualize, and leverage relationships showing interconnections and influences.

    MINDSET: http://www.mindjet.com
    XMIND:
     http://www.xmind.net
    KUMU:
    https://kumu.io
    Insight Maker: https://insightmaker.com
    VUE:  http://vue.tufts.edu

  • Self Reflections

    Reflections exercises are one or more questions that we’d like you to be in deep consideration of for the entire week.  These are meant to be shared with your family, friends, and community so that they can offer you a more complete 360 view of yourself, your identity, and your reality.

    Everyone has blind spots.  These are areas where we are less developed that are outside our view.  Getting reflections will point out things that you might not ever know yourself.

    In addition, the more you consider these reflection questions the more likely you’ll be able to break through your current level of thinking and use the exercises to leap frog into a new level of consciousness.

    These questions will be posted on the Recode Facebook Forum where they are meant to be responded to by you from week to week.  Here are this weeks reflection exercises:

    1. What new ways of thinking about your project or business came from the Putting Systems Thinking Into Action exercise?
    2. What was the most challenging part of doing the exercise and why?
    3. What are the unintended systemic consequences of your current approach to your business or project?
    4. What outside forces did you discover are aiding and/or impeding the mission of your business or project?

     

RECODE MANUAL 6
RECODE WORKBOOK 6
[membership_download style="2"][/membership_download]
[membership_download style="2"][/membership_download]