Principle 8 - Use and Respond to Change Creatively
Or turn a problem into a solution
💡 A Simple Explanation of the Principles of Permaculture
After night comes day. Day gives way to night.
This transition illustrates the paradox of nature: constant change. To put it another way, nature’s sustainability is ensured by its perpetual evolution.
This new permaculture principle invites us to adopt a two-pronged approach:
view change as an ally rather than a threat,
proactively devise a new plan in response to unexpected events.
After the rain, the rainbow reminds us that even though change can be scary—and beyond our control—it can also be a source of magic and beauty.
🔍 Applying the Principle in a Transformation Initiative
A leader—whom I'll call Stéphane—has experienced the truth of this principle.
Our coaching mission was to foster a culture of cohesion and innovation within the organization, in order to address market challenges in a responsible and sustainable manner.
The reality was quite different. He was going through a chaotic period with his team and his company. It was a time of restructuring, with departures that weren't well planned or executed. Everything seemed to be falling apart.
As he explored the idea that an opportunity lay at the heart of the change, he expressed skepticism: “You coaches are idealists with your fine words and your enthusiasm for seeing the positive in everything. But that has its limits. We risk falling into denial and losing the trust of our employees.”
He highlighted a blind spot that was absolutely crucial.
The point isn't to assume that change is necessarily a good thing. Nor is it to put on rose-colored glasses and see life through a rosy lens when pain surrounds us and eats away at us.
The challenge is much more complex. It involves accepting that our plans may change, which can cause pain and fear. The key is to grasp the hidden messages. These steps allow us to gradually and proactively transform instability into a fruitful and appealing opportunity. This requires real effort.
Together, we racked our brains to figure out what opportunities and benefits could be created from the “surrounding swamp.” In the process, we found several lotus flower seeds.
Together with his team and his company, Stéphane refocused on what really matters: the motivation and loyalty of the people who make up the company. Together, they gave themselves the freedom to rethink their company’s mission and operational practices. Together, they felt a sense of solidarity and became the architects of their own future.
They created sparks in the dark night.
After a while, he came back to me and said, “Turning a challenge into a playground for discovering solutions is difficult, but it’s worth it.”
🐝 Tips for Getting Active
Here is a wonderful book that illustrates the power of collective action in the face of the most threatening changes in the workplace:
“Daring to Trust: Reflections on Leadership Commitment”
- by Bertrand Martin, Vincent Lendhart, and Bruno Jarrosson
Bertrand Martin’s remarkable story chronicles the turnaround of the Sulzer company, achieved through a spectacular unleashing of the potential of frontline employees.
Here is a suggestion for a new perspective:
We can view the storms in our path with resignation and despair.
We can also view the obstacles we encounter as thorns in our feet: warnings that prompt us to carefully examine the cause of the pain so we can remove it and walk with peace of mind.
Now it's your turn:
What are the main sources of resistance in your current assignment?
How can they serve as catalysts for bringing about the desired change?
"Sustainable developmentand climate change are two sides of the same coin."
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As a reminder, I’d like to highlight the parallels between the 12 operational principles of permaculture and sustainable transformations in organizational systems. If you’re a professional committed to promoting a better society, these principles and insights should help you maximize your impact and inner peace. Here is the first, the second , the 3rd and 4th , 5th, 6th and 7th article. Today we’ll discuss the 8th principle.
Hello to you, agents of change!
I'm Nina Cambadélis, an impact coach and expert in leadership and sustainable transformation.
For more than 10 years, I was in charge of transformation and multifaceted performance initiatives at a multicultural CAC 40 company. What I love to do is help organizations and professionals rethink their business and make them proud to contribute, in their own way, to a world that is more sustainable, more humane, and more respectful of nature.
If you'd like some guidance along the way, contact me!
