I believe that our very survival depends upon us becoming better systems thinkers. Margaret J. Wheatley More Quotes by Margaret J. Wheatley More Quotes From Margaret J. Wheatley There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about. Margaret J. Wheatley discovering care community Relationships are all there is. Everything in the universe only exists because it is in relationship to everything else. Nothing exists in isolation. We have to stop pretending we are individuals that can go it alone Margaret J. Wheatley community inspirational relationship Very great change starts from very small conversations, held among people who care. Margaret J. Wheatley who-cares conversation people Despite current ads and slogans, the world doesn't change one person at a time. It changes when networks of relationships form among people who share a common cause and vision of what's possible. This is good news for those of us intent on creating a positive future. Rather than worry about critical mass, our work is to foster critical connections. We don't need to convince large numbers of people to change; instead, we need to connect with kindred spirits. Through these relationships, we will develop the new knowledge, practices, courage and commitment that lead to broad-based change. Margaret J. Wheatley creating change commitment When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other. Margaret J. Wheatley meaningful inspirational life Nothing has given me more hope recently than to observe how simple conversations give birth to actions that can change lives and restore our faith in the future. There is no more powerful way to initiate significant social change than to start a conversation. When a group of people discover that they share a common concern, that's when the process of change begins. Margaret J. Wheatley life-changing powerful simple Perseverance is a choice. It's not a simple, one-time choice, it's a daily one. There's never a final decision. Margaret J. Wheatley perseverance choices simple In organizations, real power and energy is generated through relationships. The patterns of relationships and the capacities to form them are more important than tasks, functions, roles, and positions. Margaret J. Wheatley motivation real leadership we can't be creative if we refuse to be confused. Change always starts with confusion; cherished interpretations must dissolve to make way for what's new. Great ideas and inventions miraculously appear in the space of not knowing. Margaret J. Wheatley confused change ideas I think a major act of leadership right now, call it a radical act, is to create the places and processes so people can actually learn together, using our experiences Margaret J. Wheatley leadership people thinking One of the easiest human acts is also the most healing. Listening to someone. Simply listening. Not advising or coaching, but silently and fully listening. Margaret J. Wheatley coaching healing inspirational Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful. Margaret J. Wheatley creating reflection way Ask what's possible, not what's wrong. Keep asking. Margaret J. Wheatley asks asking It is time to stop waiting for someone to save us. It is time to face the truth of our situation - that we're all in this together, that we all have a voice - and figure out how to mobilize the hearts and minds of everyone in our workplaces and communities. Margaret J. Wheatley voice community heart We can no longer stand at the end of something we visualized in detail and plan backwards from that future. Instead we must stand at the beginning, clear in our mind, with a willingness to be involved in discovery... it asks that we participate rather than plan. Margaret J. Wheatley vision mind discovery A leader is one who... Has more faith in people than they do, and . . . who holds opportunities open long enough for their competence to re-emerge. Margaret J. Wheatley opportunity long people [A]ll change, even very large and powerful change, begins when a few people start talking with one another about something they care about. Margaret J. Wheatley communication powerful healing It's not differences that divide us. It's our judgments about each other that do. Margaret J. Wheatley differences motivation leadership One of the great errors organizations make is shutting down what is a natural, life-enhancing process-chaos. We are terrified of chaos. As a manager, it signals failure. But if you move out of control and into an appreciation of natural order, you understand that the only way a system changes is when it is far from equilibrium, when it moves from the 'quiet' we treasure and is confronted with the choice to die or reorganize. And you can't reorganize to a higher level unless you risk the perils of the path through chaos. Margaret J. Wheatley organization appreciation moving Leadership is a series of behaviors rather than a role for heroes. Margaret J. Wheatley roles leadership hero
