INTEGRATIVE LEARNING INSTITUTE Evolving Capacities to Respond to Complexity

Complexity Intelligence

We are living in a world of complexity.  While it is tempting to think we can find ways to simplify the complexity in our lives, at the Integrative Learning Institute, we believe that we must also increase our ability to meet the complexity.  We must increase our Complexity Intelligence, a term we use to describe the integration of reasoning ability, emotional maturity and social capacities needed  to meet our current societal and organizational challenges. 

Complexity intelligence is a natural human capacity that will emerge, given the appropriate balance of challenge and support.  I.L.I.’s programs and services are designed to provide this balance.  More information about this concept can be found in the Reading Room  

Four Fields of Learning

 I.L.I. has developed the Four Fields of Learning – an integrated approach to learning that combines theory and practice and supports the emergence of complexity intelligence at both the individual and societal level.  The Four Fields of Learning are:

¨      Theoretical frameworks

¨      Interior personal capacities

¨      Exterior systems analysis

¨      Application

 

Field 1. Theoretical Frameworks 

Through this field a variety of perspectives on creating a new lens for perceiving our world are engaged including: chaos and complexity theory, quantum physics, social evolvement, adult development, integral theory, transformational learning, ecological thinking, systems theory, neurobiology, generative dialogue, action research, and body mind consciousness studies. Sources include Don Beck, David Bohm, Fritjof Capra, Michael Commons, Clare Graves, Jane Jacobs, Robert Kegan, Ervin Laszlo, Jack Mezirow, Shawn Rosenberg, Sara Ross, Peter Senge, Rick Smyre, William Torbert, Francisco Varela, Meg Wheatley, Ken Wilber, Daniel Yankelovich, State of the World Project, Genuine Progress Indicators, Rocky Mountain Institute, and Integrative Body Psychotherapy.

 

Field 2. Interior Personal Capacities

Being a catalyst for change requires developing the inner maturity for leadership. The work in this field includes understanding and defusing old fears and defences, moving beyond individual competitiveness to connected individuality, building a capacity for reflection and engaging with complexity, understanding one's worldview and assumptions in the context of an evolving spiral of many worldviews, approaching self and others with inquiry, connecting how we think to what we experience, developing a personal practice for staying present, authentic and open (meditation, journaling, therapy etc), exploring through art, movement and metaphors, building a support network, having the health and energy to absorb and concretely apply complex learning, having the financial and technological capacity and time to engage in this work.

 

Field 3. Exterior Systems Analysis

Our current 21^st century challenges provide both the outer context and the motivation for applying this learning. The focus of this field is the understanding of the current status of life conditions, sustainability and well-being. It includes accessing data and indicators regarding past, present and future trends in demographics, human and environmental health, sustainable development, values and worldviews, education, technological capacities, poverty, governance, and stages of transition from the industrial resource-based economy to the learning economy. This field requires an action research approach involving a reciprocal relationship of the researcher and the researched.

 

Field 4. Application

This field integrates learning from fields 1, 2 and 3 into effective application to relevant situations. Real learning deepens in its application, whether in business, non-profits, volunteer initiatives or government. Programs with I.L.I .are geared to increase the capacity for individuals to influence the creation of dynamic and adaptable organizations and communities within a complex interconnected world.  A primary focus is on community engagement processes which are structured to frame approaches for  multi-stakeholder  deliberative decision making  for addressing complex social issues.