By Janice Molloy
In the best-selling book Good to Great, author Jim Collins introduced a notion that should strike a chord with anyone familiar with systems thinking: the “flywheel.” A flywheel is a heavy metal disk mounted on an axle that helps a machine maintain a regular speed. It takes a lot of effort to get a flywheel going, but once it has built up a certain amount of momentum, it is hard to stop.
In systems language, the flywheel is a reinforcing process, a dynamic that builds on itself over time, a virtuous cycle (except, of course, when it is running in the opposite direction than we want it to, but that’s a different story!). Collins uses this metaphor to illustrate the process through which organizations launch and sustain lasting success: “No matter how short or long it took, every good-to-great transformation followed the same basic pattern—accumulating momentum, turn by turn of the flywheel—until buildup transformed into breakthrough.”
It’s no secret that the past several years have proven challenging across the board. From economic meltdown to environmental disasters, we’ve all been affected by the complex, big-systems crises that have rocked our world. Things haven’t been much easier on an organizational level. Most of us are facing the challenge of doing more with less, of pushing harder for each small victory, of tackling higher levels of intricacy and urgency in everything we do.
But what if we could set that flywheel in motion in our organizations and lives? What if we could make changes at the structural level—real, fundamental shifts—to turn vicious cycles into virtuous ones? What if we could see underlying trends and intervene before they reached a tipping point? How might things be different if we could understand the role we play in creating the situations we are a part of—and learn to think and act differently to achieve the results we want?
In designing this year’s Systems Thinking in Action® Conference, “Fueling New Cycles of Success,” we’ve assembled a stellar line-up of speakers and other contributors to introduce and explore proven tools, inspiring ideas, and hard-fought lessons for accelerating momentum in a positive direction. Keynote presenters include Dayna Baumeister, Andy Hargreaves, Daniel H. Kim, Frances Moore Lappé, and Peter Senge. To enhance the experience, Kelvy Bird will capture the plenary content in vivid graphic recordings, and Tim Merry and Marc Durkee will enliven the proceedings with poetry and music. We’ll be adding videos of many of the conference contributors throughout the summer; see the end of this post for a clip of the amazing Frances Moore Lappé.
As Jim Collins remarked, “When people begin to feel the magic of momentum—when they begin to see tangible results, when they can feel the flywheel beginning to build speed—that’s when the bulk of people line up to throw their shoulders against the wheel and push.” At this November’s conference, we will share ways to spark that magic through the power of systems thinking.
Janice Molloy is content director of Pegasus Communications, managing editor of The Systems Thinker newsletter, and program director of the annual Systems Thinking in Action conference.
 The one conference you can't afford to miss!
Join Pegasus this November in Boston for Systems Thinking in Action: Fueling New Cycles of Success. Meet fellow systems thinkers from around the globe. Keynotes presenters include Peter Senge, Daniel H. Kim, Frances Moore Lappé, and more.
Visit www.SystemsThinkingInAction.com for detailed program and registration information.
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By Peggy Holman
What does it take to change a social system--and an industry like journalism?
A new story of journalism is being born as the old story is dying. At its heart, that new story stays true--and enlarges on--a purpose many journalists hold dear: "to provide people with the information they need to be free and self-governing" (Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel).
For nine years, Journalism That Matters (JTM) has:
- Engaged people from all aspects of journalism: print, broadcast, and new media; editors, reporters, bloggers, audience, reformers, educators, and others;
- Created space for conversations about what matters most;
- Worked with what's emerging for news and information in a democracy.
In Seattle this January, JTM hosted 240+ people from mass media and hyperlocal media, entrepreneurs, technologists, academics, students, nonprofit organizers, artists, activists, and others to consider the question:
What's possible for our region when journalists and the public come together?
The 3 1/2-day conference began with a "News and Information Commons," in which Northwest media organizations shared their work through informal displays and conversation. The evening program featured three "conversation catalysts." Each spoke for 10 minutes on journalism and civic engagement. Norman Rice, former Seattle mayor and president of the Seattle Foundation, spoke for the people. Tracy Record, former newspaper reporter and now publisher and editor of the West Seattle Blog, spoke for the press. Chris Jordan, a visual artist, provided a systems-oriented twist to storytelling that engaged the heart as well as the mind.
Attendees then participated in several rounds of World Café conversations, moving between groups of four, cross-pollinating ideas, and discovering new insights into the questions or issues that are important to them.
The rest of the conference used Open Space Technology, a process through which participants self-organize, setting the agenda based on individual passions and interests. Each day began with a plenary to organize the agenda. The day also ended with a plenary, to reflect on emerging themes. Captured eloquently by student participant Amy Rainey, the themes included:
- Passion. "At this time of transformation, we all need to connect with our feelings and care, and put that caring into our work," artist Chris Jordan told the audience during an opening night speech. "It's time to take the templates off and speak authentic human being to authentic human being." This idea of showing passion in our work--and showing love for the communities we cover--came up repeatedly.
- Community. We quickly learned that generations define communities differently. For younger people, our communities are online, not necessarily based on geography.
- Collaboration. On Saturday, I tweeted that the word of the day was "collaboratory." By Sunday, a group was working on plans for a JTMPNW collaboratory, a learning lab for entrepreneurial projects and nourishing connections, and tying the idea to the creation of a civic commons.
- Engagement. Journalists need to stop talking to their audience and instead engage in a conversation with them.
- Media Literacy. In an information-packed world in which everyone is a journalist, the public needs better training about evaluating news sources and information for accuracy and credibility.
- Hyperlocal. Several discussions focused on the need for collaboration between hyperlocal neighborhood bloggers and mass media. On the final day, a large group worked on building a roadmap for mass media and hyperlocal journalists to work together and find financial sustainability.
- Government Coverage. Many participants were concerned about the effect that cutbacks at traditional media outlets have had on state and local government coverage. But we also learned about new projects to solve this problem. One attendee, Trevor Griffey, is starting a nonprofit site called Olympia Newswire to cover this year's legislative session and revitalize statehouse reporting.
- Business Models. Creating new business models was, of course, a big part of the conversation. "It doesn't have to be one model. It can be lots of small revenue streams," I overheard someone say. Those revenue streams include memberships, foundations, grants, advertising, holding events, subscriptions, and so on.
If there's one thing we all learned, it's that the opportunities for collaboration and experimentation are endless in our new news ecology.
JTM did a great job using social media and aggregating that information. You can read notes from the various sessions on the JTM wiki, catch up on the tweets, view photos, and watch videos. If you're interested in joining this conversation and attending future events, join the LinkedIn group.
Moving Forward
On the final morning, the group identified its next steps. Session notes are posted, and the work continues.
Peggy Holman hosts conversations that matter, inviting people to gather around the issues most important to them and move their dreams into action. Her book, The Change Handbook, co-edited with Tom Devane and Steven Cady, has been warmly received by people wishing to increase resilience, connection, collaboration, and aliveness in their organizations and communities.
At the 2009 Pegasus Conference in Seattle, Washington, John Seely Brown spoke on the topic of "Rethinking the Organization: From Scalable Efficiency to Scalable Learning." In this clip, he explains why he's optimistic about the future: The impulse by today's youth to use social technologies to collaborate and build on each other's creativity. JSB believes that the blogosphere and other web-based tools provide a powerful means for people to express provisional ideas, receive honest feedback, and evolve their thinking.
By Mark Alpert
During the Systems Thinking in Action Conference in November, keynote Juana Bordas spoke about sankofa. Sankofa is the West African practice of looking back to appreciate the past and how our actions have lead to us to the present, and integrating the 
meaning, insights, and learnings from the past to create a better future. It is with a sense of sankofa that we look back on 2009.
For Pegasus, 2009 can best be described as a year of transition. I transitioned in as the new president and began the orientation process to help define the next level for our company. We were not immune to the impacts of the economy, and joined organizations of all sizes and industry sectors in transitioning to the realities of a new business climate.
In a real test of our humility and sense of humor, we had deep discussions about what the future of our organization should look like and how we can get there. We redefined goals, looked for new efficiencies in our operations, and deepened the relationships with our customers and suppliers. Maintaining a focus on the future grounded in current reality is our foundation as a true learning organization.
It is said that every cloud has a silver lining, and many positives emerged from the process. What stood out for me most was that we learned a lot about ourselves and the spirit that makes up our organization.
Demanding times have a way of shining a spotlight on a company's culture and illuminating the degree to which the mission and core values are truly ingrained. It turns out that the mission and values instilled in Pegasus from its founding more than 20 years ago may be its saving grace. In a time when organizations, governments, and the planet as a whole are facing problems of the utmost complexity, systems thinking has become even more relevant today than perhaps ever before. Our focus on our mission to help individuals and organizations manage the complexities of the workplace and the world has served as source of strength and a decision-making yardstick on many occasions.
One of the Pegasus core values is "Walk the Talk." While many organizations and associations cancelled their conferences, workshops, and offsite meetings this past year, we remained steadfast around the need to conduct our 19th annual conference. This was no time for us to circle the wagons, withdraw from the discussions, or most important, stop learning.
We believed that the opposite was true, and so we titled the conference "Now More Than Ever: Critical Skills for Courageous Organizations." And we were gratified by the community that gathered in Seattle to engage in learning and meaningful dialogue in the interests of creating a better tomorrow. We look forward to continuing that learning as we plan our 20th anniversary conference, which will be in Boston next November.
Lastly, while we know that some elements of the economy are cyclical, we also know that others have changed forever; for example, how people consume information. Ask any newspaper company in the country if they've experienced this shift. In response to changing demand, we introduced a webinar series to provide convenient online access to today's thought leaders on a variety systems thinking topics. The feedback has been great, and we are excited about expanding our offerings in 2010. We welcome your comments and suggestions on topics you would like to hear about.
The future is wide open and filled with possibilities. Our goal is to continue serving the systems thinking community and supporting the work you do to help improve your organizations and world. We look forward to working together to make those possibilities a reality.
From everyone at Pegasus Communications, happy holidays and a prosperous New Year.
Mark Alpert is president of Pegasus Communications.
Sankofa drawing by Nancy Daugherty
By Judy Ringer
As I was heading through the crowded hotel lobby toward my last conference session at the recent Pegasus Conference, thinking of a zillion things, including making the bus to the airport, I happened to pass Yoichi. I stopped briefly to thank him one more time for his generosity in volunteering to be my partner for the Aikido demonstrations in the workshop I gave. Skilled, kind
, and adaptable, Yoichi was the ideal uke, the partner who attacks, receives the throw, and falls, over and over again.
I stopped in that way I have of not actually stopping. I mean, I pause physically, but my body and mind are on the way to the next thing I have to do. But Yoichi really stopped. Yoichi was centered in that moment--he was with me completely--and his presence stopped me, too. It was like waking up. I was at rest and present with another human being.
I thanked him as planned; he received my gratitude gracefully and thanked me as well for the opportunity to engage. As we exchanged words, we also exchanged ki--energy, life force. The moment was brief, and the moment was ki.
As this season of holidays unfolds, with all we have to do and be, my wish for you (and me) is that we remember it's not how much we do but who we are, and that we are.
As you say hello to the loved one you haven't seen in days, months, or years, stop and be there, as Yoichi was there. When your friend or coworker asks for a moment of your time, stop your internal dialogue and make them the center of attention. Become single minded.
Your presence is the greatest gift you can give.
Judy Ringer is the author of Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict. She provides conflict and communication training throughout North America with unique workshops based on mind-body principles from the martial art Aikido, in which she holds a black belt. Click here for more information.
By Janice Molloy
My son loves to play electronic racing games. He literally jumps with excitement as his character speeds along a virtual track, 
passing competitors and avoiding obstacles. His favorite feature is the "power boost": At certain junctures, after the vehicle gains enough "energy," he pushes a button that temporarily hurtles his character along with even greater momentum.
This image came to mind this morning as I thought about our upcoming conference. Starting next Sunday evening, the 19th annual Pegasus Conference will launch into full swing. For more than two and a half days, participants will gain new perspectives from speakers on the leading edge of management innovation, take away practices to improve how they operate back in the workplace, and learn from others who are putting systems thinking and organizational learning to work in all different sectors.
At their best, such events provide participants with a boost similar to what the characters experience in my boy's video game. No matter how committed we are to our work, we all have to tune our engines from time to time. Likewise, we benefit from periodically pulling over to a rest stop or meandering along a scenic back road. A conference, workshop, or training session can provide a bit of both kinds of refueling--a chance to hone skills and learn new ones, and a break from the workaday routine. The goal is to return to our home base refreshed and inspired to motor through the next leg in the journey with greater energy and direction.
For those of us on staff, and the "friends of Pegasus" who contribute their time and expertise to the effort, the conference is the gratifying culmination of more than a year's worth of creativity, planning, collaboration, and hard labor. As exhausted as we'll be in the aftermath, the insights we've gained and connections we've made will fuel us and our work for months to come.
Next week, we plan to blog from the conference venue, to give those who can't attend a taste of what's charging our engines this year. Some participants also plan to send updates by Twitter, so look for the following hashtags (the tagging convention for Twitter, which provides a way to search on all tweets related to a topic):
General Conference: #Pegasus09
Peter Senge Keynote: #st09senge
David Whyte Keynote: #st09whyte
Linda Booth Sweeney Keynote: #st09sweeney
Juana Bordas Keynote: #st09bordas
John Seely Brown Keynote: #st09s-brown
How do you boost your ability to meet the challenges ahead?
Janice Molloy is content director of Pegasus Communications, managing editor of The Systems Thinker newsletter, and program director of the annual Systems Thinking in Action conference. \
Race Car Photo: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_race_car_Kentenich09_amk.jpg