Paradigm Power
Paradigm Power
A paradigm is a basic model of an aspect of reality. It is perceived as our frame of reference, as exhibited by administrative hierarchies, rules and laws, and a thousand other aspects we accept as part of our truth. The philosopher Thomas Kuhn proposed that knowledge evolves by new paradigms replacing old ones, as evidence accumulates which makes the old ones unsustainable.
If were concerned about where the culture is going, and what we can all do to change its course, our main power lies with philosophy and the force of paradigm shifts.
Shifting our mindset doesnt cost money, its democratic (we can all do it), it goes to the crux of problems, its nonviolent, its effective, its not stoppable from without, and its our greatest power, though largely untapped.
We see a pervasive mindset of control and domination permeating our cultural institutions, a mindset driven by the fear of anarchy. If someonesome authority or power over usdoesnt control us, society will fall into chaos, or so were to believe.
But who controls the controllers? What kind of order do those in positions of power have in mind? Is power-over an order that worksi.e., that creates social harmony and makes us happy?
Or does it create wars, blind obedience, inner deadness, inequities and injustices, epidemic substance and process addictions, economic exploitation, cynicism, chronic stress, and unhappiness?
It doesnt make sense, for example, that we control children morning to night with rewards and punishments and then wonder why they grow up selfish manipulators: "Whats in it for me?" or "Just dont get caught!"
Thats how child-rearing and schooling methods trained all of us to think. And if people grow up obsessed with gaining power over othersthe chance to be in the one-up position and to control whos rewarded and whos punishedwheres the surprise? This is the logical extension of our cultural paradigm.
In other words, is our culture built on a paradigm thats working for us as well as we need it to? Is our consensus philosophy shaping our institutions to serve us, or are we becoming servants to systems that warp our minds, consume our energies, and turn us into people we never wanted to be?
When more and more of us find ourselves asking such core questions, its time to start rethinking things from the ground up. Its time to reclaim our powers.
Philosophys first help comes in accurately naming whats wrong. If were just bad people, if the human race is innately selfish, violent and power-obsessed, if reality mandates that we be powder kegs about to explode, then were stuckno options. And its amazing that we as a species have lasted this long.
Certainly we have the potential to be selfish, destructive, and cruel, but philosophy says we have other potentials too, and that which potentials get developed depends on our philosophythe paradigm we use to create ourselves, families, schools, churches, governments, businesses, and culture.
If whats causing all the trouble is our paradigm, then thats good news. We cant change reality or human nature, but we can change our paradigm. And it doesnt take an army or Government or money to do it.
The paradigm shift required is big. It touches all disciplines and the very ways we think and reason. It also involves how we experience ourselves, how we respond to our inner processes and follow our souls leadings.
Because the shift is big, and we by no means have all the answers, we do need to start the philosophical discussion. All of us should participate in the planetary dialogue birthing this shift. All sorts of tools are emerging to help. An approach is recommended that is:
holistic, in that all our personal, cultural, and planetary systems are involved;
system-focused, which sees "parts" as emerging from system dynamics;
interdisciplinary;
philosophical;
healing and recovery oriented, and grounded in spiritual wisdomvalues of soul, meaning, and inner guidance.
Any one of us can initiate a paradigm shift.
To change the paradigm from within an industrial organisation, we should implement a documented Integrated Risk Management System, based on Australian Standards AS4581, AS 4360, ISO 9000, ISO 14000, AS 4804 and a security management standard. This will allow workers to essentially self-manage.
Incorporate into the documentation, a policy of empowering workers to submit Nonconformance (Opportunity for Improvement) Reports to senior management, where they have concerns or suggestions, which they consider should be formally addressed by the organisation.
This will provide a controlled means of improving the Management System and practices. Where the organisation is certified, the certifying body always asks for access to Nonconformance (Opportunity for Improvement) Reports, and enforces their proper close-out.
(Both certified and non-certified organisations are answerable to their customers, who may perform second party audits of the management system with respect to their contracts).
Implement an Employee Share Ownership Program (ESOP) with an organisational performance based, share price discounting arrangement for all employees. This should provide the motivation to improve the Management System and practices, and thus organisational competitiveness, with potential beneficial effects for all stakeholders.
The new paradigm should be risk conscious, proactive in implementing risk controls and taking advantage of opportunities, and empowering.
Acotrel Risk Management Pty Ltd
1st January 2000 Link: Acotrel Risk Management Pty Ltd |
Culture and Thought
