3rd Principle - "Get a production"
OR THE NEED TO EXPERIMENT
I am creating a series on the parallels between the 12 operational principles of permaculture and the conditions for sustainable transformations of organizational systems. Here are the first and second posts. Today we’ll discuss the third principle. If you are a professional changemaker committed to promoting a better society, these principles and insights should help you maximize your impact and inner serenity.
💡 Explanation of the permaculture operating principle
"In the absenceof immediate and truly useful output, a system will wither away; conversely, a system will flourish if it isproductive."
- David Holmgren, Permaculture
In permaculture, this principle emphasizes the importance of sowing seeds quickly so that crops can grow. The nuance of the definition in the quote lies in the word“useful.”
It is about producing results, but doing so in a way that benefits the earth, animals, and humans. It is important to create results that nurture the soil and are self-sustaining.
🔍 Illustration of the principle applied to a transformation initiative
Our society applies this concept of production a little too strictly.
The social norm, at least in the West, favors swift action, even at the risk of forgetting how to simply be. However, it is the combination of action and being, in the service of a purpose, that enables us to persevere.
Let's look at an example.
I had the pleasure of advising an executive committee on matters of governance and leadership.
The participants demonstrated openness, intellectual curiosity, and a desire to quickly put what they learned into practice.
They were so eager to move forward that they were frustrated not to have a ready-to-use action plan after just two short sessions. Yet, it was risky to focus on the “doing” before clarifying the intention behind the action.
At the end of a debrief, I shared these thoughts:
"It's great to want to move fast. But if you get to Norway in one day when you'd rather be in Italy, what's the point of speed? If you move forward without knowing where you want to go or how to get there, you risk ending up in the wrong place and wasting a lot of time, energy, and credibility with your teams."
Following this discussion, the group identified a path forward:
They decided to take the time to refocus on the original purpose behind this team coaching on governance and leadership.
They clarified what they wanted to get out of it—for themselves, their teams, and their company.
They gave themselves the freedom to experiment within their committee, without the pressure to succeed, rather than imposing arbitrary changes on the organization.
A laboratory phase is valuable for determining what works, what needs refinement, and what should be avoided.
🐝 Tips for Getting Active
Dear change agents,
I’d like to suggest two principles that your organizations should keep in mind before, during, and after each transformation project:
Experiment
It is helpful to test an idea on a small scale within your organization as a "pilot" project.
This will enable your community to learn, refine, and improve—or even radically change—your approach with your partners and beneficiaries.
You may consider these initiatives to be biodegradable.
Celebrate
Your community will need to celebrate often and repeatedly over time.
The results of each step can be a cause for celebration:
Your willingness to take a chance and try something new,
Your mistakes as evidence of your courage, potential sources of innovation and progress,
Your successes and the keys to success.
"Thebest way to predict your future is to create it"
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Hello, Changemakers!
I am Nina, an impact maker coach specializing in leadership, sustainability, and organizational transformation.
I have spent the past 10 years leading sustainable change at a Fortune 500 company in a multicultural environment. Through my work, I aim to inspire professionals in organizations to rethink business and make them proud to contribute, in their own way, to a more sustainable, people-centered, and nature-friendly world.
If you'd like support to move forward on your journey with greater impact and ease, contact me!
