Potent Levers
How might we apply systems thinking, and particularly the 12 Leverage Points as defined by Donella Meadows to the understanding of coaching methods?
Power to Transcend Paradigms: This is manifest in the client, and his/her belief in me and my methods. Without his/her belief that a change is possible and likely, we have lost the most powerful lever for transformation. The contracting process is anchored in determining the paradigm that needs to shift, and the energy/commitment to change.
Mindset or paradigm that the system arises from: This is the history, the context, the stories that client knowingly or unknowingly participates within. Client Awareness!
Goal of the System - The aspirational goal and outcome that the client/sponsor is working toward.
Power to add, change, evolve, or self-organize system structure: What are the patterns of behavior (habits) that were created in the old system, but are problematic in the new system? What new patterns of behavior are helpful? What
Rules of the system (such as incentives, punishment, constraints)
Structure of information flow (who does and does not have access to what kinds of information)
Gain around driving positive feedback loops
Strength of negative feedback loops, relative to the effect they are trying to correct against
Length of delays, relative to the rate of system changes
Structure of material stocks and flows (such as transport network, population age structures)
The size of buffers and other stabilizing stocks, relative to their flows
Constants, parameters, numbers (such as subsidies, taxes, standards)