Book Review- Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems: The Catalytic Power of Radical Engagement by Adam Kahane

I recently read Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems: The Catalytic Power of Radical Engagement by Adam Kahane. It is a very interesting book that takes on monumentally complex transitions, like ending civil wars and ousting government corruption; but it does have some key learnings for those of us with more humble change ambitions.

The big key philosophy here is to talk to everyone, especially the people who disagree with you, constantly and whole heartedly. This is easier said than done. The book offered a very good framework for tackling the task. Here is my approximation for your reading pleasure:

A system is a massive whole of parts focused on producing a specific outcome. The parts are functions that when added together produce that outcome while effecting each other. Between those parts and functions are the relationships between people that make it all work. The system is self-healing. Remove one part will cause another to take its place or regrow the part to continue producing the same outcomes. Unless you work on the whole system together. 

That system doesn't serve everyone equally, it has cracks, gears that grind together and shift overtime. That is when people who disagree come together to try to fix it. This is where you come in. In that world, you will find three types of perspectives and it is essential to hear each. Then facilitate so those people weave perspectives together for a complete vision of how the parties all work together for change.

These are the people who show up at the table:

1. The philosopher who thinks politics and feelings shouldn't be in the discussion. This person thinks about the output of the system at the cost of the parts and the relationships between them. A common trait of CEOs and thought leaders.

2. The deal maker, who thinks big systems are impractical and harmony is overrated. This person thinks about a specific function and its role compared to others, and neglects to think of the output of the system or the relationships of people. A common trait of negotiators and experts.

3. The tree hugger who sees the system as too theoretical and self-interest as misguided. This person thinks of the relationships of people, but neglects to think about the output of the system or the interests of its functions. This is a common trait of average joes and culture warriors.

This book does a good high level preparation for facilitators. Hopefully Adam's next book will bring us into the detailed facilitations of getting these various parties to create a shared vision for the future that they all own.