Margaret J. Wheatley

“Circles create soothing space, where even reticent people can realize that their voice is welcome.”

“Even though worker capacity and motivation are destroyed when leaders choose power over productivity, it appears that bosses would rather be in control than have the organization work well.”

“Probably the most visible example of unintended consequences, is what happens every time humans try to change the natural ecology of a place.”

“Determination, energy, and courage appear spontaneously when we care deeply about something. We take risks that are unimaginable in any other context.”

“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.”

“We know from science that nothing in the universe exists as an isolated or independent entity.”

“For eons, humans have struggled to find less destructive ways of living together.”

“For me, this is a familiar image - people in the organization ready and willing to do good work, wanting to contribute their ideas, ready to take responsibility, and leaders holding them back, insisting that they wait for decisions or instructions.”

“And time for reflection with colleagues is for me a lifesaver; it is not just a nice thing to do if you have the time. It is the only way you can survive.”

“Most people associate command and control leadership with the military.”

“Everyone in a complex system has a slightly different interpretation. The more interpretations we gather, the easier it becomes to gain a sense of the whole.”

“In the past, it was easier to believe in my own effectiveness. If I worked hard, with good colleagues and good ideas, we could make a difference. But now, I sincerely doubt that.”

“We experience problem-solving sessions as war zones, we view competing ideas as enemies, and we use problems as weapons to blame and defeat opposition forces. No wonder we can't come up with real lasting solutions!”

“When leaders take back power, when they act as heroes and saviors, they end up exhausted, overwhelmed, and deeply stressed.”

“Without aggression, it becomes possible to think well, to be curious about differences, and to enjoy each other's company.”

“Organisations are now confronted with two sources of change: the traditional type that is initiated and managed; and external changes over which no one has control.”

“The nature of the global business environment guarantees that no matter how hard we work to create a stable and healthy organisation, our organisation will continue to experience dramatic changes far beyond our control.”

“For us, someone who is willing to step forward and help is much more courageous than someone who is merely fulfilling the role.”

“In virtually every organization, regardless of mission and function, people are frustrated by problems that seem unsolvable.”

“These days, our senses are bombarded with aggression. We are constantly confronted with global images of unending, escalating war and violence.”