PATTERNS
Pattern spotting does not always come naturally. You can look at a mess, and see only the mess. Finding meaningful patterns means looking for the simplicity that hides under the surface of chaos. Seeing patterns is an innate ability that we all have, but it needs to be developed as it is a core competency for leaders operating in a VUCA world.
HSD teaches leaders the power of patterns, using Adaptive Action and Inquiry. They benefit from an explicit process and practical discipline for identifying patterns.
If you see your challenge from a “pattern” perspective you move into an inquiry mindset. For example, fill-in-the-blank statements that focus your attention to help you find patterns in messy situations.
► In general, I notice….. . . . .
► In general, I notice…,but…. . . .
► On the one hand… . . . . ,and on the other hand…. . . .
► I am really surprised that . . . .
► I wonder…. . . .
For example, if you see employee engagement as a problem, you run surveys, identify gaps, and plan for action. If you see it through patterns you ask:
- WHAT places are engagement the greatest? What are they saying in that place about why they’re engaged? What do others say about engagement?
- SO WHAT lessons can we learn from the patterns of why people are engaged, what they say about their engagement, and what unengaged people are saying?
- NOW WHAT is a single, immediate, wise action that will encourage patterns of engagement in other parts of the organisation?
The brain looks for patterns of form to give meaning to what it is observing. For example, the brain sees a pattern of “dogness” before it makes further distinctions about the breed of dog. It then associates “dogness” with sounds, emotions and experiences to make an assessment of what it means to you. It then questions the assessment to fit the context. It is through these universal forms or patterns that it is possible for minds to agree on an idea or opinion, despite coming from different disciplines, backgrounds or preconceptions.
Plato’s allegory of the cave explains how human perception detects shadows or forms in thoughts. Nobody may have seen a Chihuahua before but can agree that it’s a dog. When educating the mind we start with the concepts or forms. Mathematics starts with the concept of numbers. These universal concepts get embedded in language and allow for human communication, reasoning and understanding.
In complex systems, the task is to search for forms or patterns that we can make sense of. This requires curiosity and the desire to ask questions to get at the “unknown knowns”.
“A man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, a man who doesn’t ask a question he’s a fool for a lifetime.” Confucious
