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 More Quotes by Margaret J. Wheatley More Quotes From Margaret J. Wheatley A leader these days needs to be a host - one who convenes diversity; who convenes all viewpoints in creative processes where our mutual intelligence can come forth. Margaret J. Wheatley diversity learning knowledge In fact, Western culture has spent decades drawing lines and boxes around interconnected phenomena. We've chunked the world into pieces rather than explored its webby nature. Margaret J. Wheatley western-culture drawing pieces Disorder can play a critical role in giving birth to new, higher forms of order. Margaret J. Wheatley play giving order Everyone in a complex system has a slightly different interpretation. The more interpretations we gather, the easier it becomes to gain a sense of the whole. Margaret J. Wheatley easier gains different We are, always, poets, exploring possibilities of meaning in a world which is also all the time exploring possibilities. Margaret J. Wheatley possibility poet world Our willingness to acknowledge that we only see half the picture creates the conditions that make us more attractive to others. The more sincerely we acknowledge our need for their different insights and perspectives, the more they will be magnetized to join us. Margaret J. Wheatley perspective different needs I believe that our very survival depends upon us becoming better systems thinkers. Margaret J. Wheatley becoming-better survival believe Many of us have created lives that give very little support for experimentation. We believe that answers already exist out there, independent of us. What if we invested more time and attention to our own experimentation? We could focus our efforts on discovering solutions that work uniquely for us. Margaret J. Wheatley passion work believe There are many benefits to this process of listening. The first is that good listeners are created as people feel listened to. Listening is a reciprocal process - we become more attentive to others if they have attended to us. Margaret J. Wheatley benefits listening people We need to move from the leader as hero, to the leader as host. Margaret J. Wheatley leader hero moving In the past, it was easier to believe in my own effectiveness. If I worked hard, with good colleagues and good ideas, we could make a difference. But now, I sincerely doubt that. Margaret J. Wheatley believe past ideas In this new world, you and I make it up as we go along, not because we lack expertise or planning skills, but because that is the nature of reality. Reality changes shape and meaning because of our activity. And it is constantly new. We are required to be there, as active participants. It can't happen without us and nobody can do it for us. Margaret J. Wheatley learning reality knowledge I believe that the capacity that any organization needs is for leadership to appear anywhere it is needed, when it is needed. Margaret J. Wheatley organization leadership believe Whatever life we have experienced, if we can tell our story to someone who listens, we find it easier to deal with our circumstances. Margaret J. Wheatley easier circumstances stories I'm sad to report that in the past few years, ever since uncertainty became our insistent 21st century companion, leadership has taken a great leap backwards to the familiar territory of command and control. Margaret J. Wheatley taken leadership past For us, someone who is willing to step forward and help is much more courageous than someone who is merely fulfilling the role. Margaret J. Wheatley roles steps helping No longer in a relational universe, can we study anything as separate from ourselves. Our acts of observation are part of the process that brings forth the manifestation of what we are observing. Margaret J. Wheatley study awareness process Independence is a political concept, not a biological concept. Margaret J. Wheatley connecting independence political When we can lay down our fear and anger and choose responses other than aggression, we create the conditions for bringing out the best in us humans. Margaret J. Wheatley response aggression anger Power is the capacity to generate relationships. Margaret J. Wheatley capacity
