Are you part of the problem? - a phenomenological perspective

​

"Advertised as a day to think about 'a problem-space', this turned out to be an enlightening exploration and highlighted that the challenge is not always the problem but can often be the way we interact with the space. I have come away with a clear methodology that will allow me to approach challenges with greater confidence and competence!"   Simon Shepard

With 'adaptive intelligence' emotions are not the problem - they are signals that you need to engage in the on-going journey re-establish coherence - 'emotion is energy seeking purpose'.
We have enjoyed the opportunity to present a one-day workshop on ‘Adaptive Intelligence’ at Ashridge Business School. Participants were invited to pre-prepare a personal and deeply challenging issue with which to grapple. These ranged from the idealistic desire to promote reconciliation in a conflicted world; to deeply personal issues of finding new meaning; to practical challenges of how to enliven and resource organisations. 
The identified problem may be the ripple on the surface of deeper undercurrents
Whilst there is much wisdom in the words of Bertrand Russell (pictured above) we are now coming to grips with the reality that there's more to it than meets the eye. Three impactful insights emerged from participants in our time together.  First, the degree to which we personally are the source of our own challenges. Second, what we identify to be the problem is often the surface evidence of much deeper dynamics. Third, was the key role of emotions. Emotions are evidence of the existence of the problem-space. Emotions are potential contributors to it. But, rather than being seen as needing to be fixed, emotions can now be recognised as a potential source of energy to address the problem-space.
Problem-solving and the phenomenological stance
Accessing Adaptive Intelligence is a holistic approach incorporating insights from complexity theory and methodologies sourced in neuroscience - these are to be systemically applied. By focusing on deep subjective experience Adaptive Intelligence embraces the phenomenological perspective. We offer that in a complexifying and interrelated world the problem-solver can no longer be positioned external to the problem-space, with the solution finder 'over here' and the problem 'over there', typically to be addressed by the intervention of some so-called ‘evidence-based’ strategy. Now the experiencer of the problem-space rather needs to be positioned at its centre.
Subjective experience can help unify subject and object to restore coherence
We were guided in the phenomenological contribution to ‘adaptive intelligence’ by two luminaries: Jan Smuts’ holism showing ‘experience’ as unifying the subject/object dichotomy, and Albert Einstein’s relativity demonstrating that the real action of the universe is not constituted by ‘parts’ but by the complex and multiple interactions of energetic entities.  
Consequently in embracing this perspective our approach focuses in six phases on the core elements that can be positively influenced to shift a challenging situation towards a desired outcome, and of course, also to realise a unique opportunity:
1. Identifying the deeper dimension (the undercurrents) of the problem-space 
2. Differentiating between simple/complicated on the one hand, and complex/chaotic situations on the other
3. Focusing on the personal contribution to the problem-space 
4. Mapping the significant agencies of problem-space 
5. Creatively identifying new ways to influence key dynamics
6. Integrating the learnings from each endeavour
This opportunity is offered in four formats to individuals, organisations, institutions and corporations:
·     A one-day taster providing a provisional experience - as this one described above
·     A two- or three-day format including a further examination of models of complexity theory and their potential application to complex problem-solving
·     A five-day residential format including a deeper exploration of the bio-psychosocial model of emergent adult values as a context for problem solving
* We also employ this six-phase process in private personal coaching sessions.
Some feedback:
"It was a fantastic experience that reveals the dynamics of identifying complex challenges and the joy of exploring solutions with creative mindsets and amazing group sharing." Brian Abbott - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-abbott-2333131/
Getting to the nub of the issue is a truly liberating experience - empowering the individual or organisation to engage in character-building process.
We will be presenting Adaptive Intelligence applied to enabling a circular economy at a systems science conference at Bournemouth University on 24th June, 2019 : https://www.systemsforum.org/events/ 
​