March 2005

I have quoted directly from the book, capturing some of the salient points made by the author. Enjoy!

Birth of the Chaordic Age
By Dee Hock

Chaordic:

• the behavior of any self-governing organism, organization or system which harmoniously blends characteristics of order and chaos.
• patterned in a way dominated by neither chaos or order.
• characteristic of the fundamental organizing principles of evolution and nature.

It's a story of harboring the four beasts that inevitably devour their keeper, Ego, Envy, Avarice, and Ambition, and of a great bargain,

• trading Ego for Humility
• trading Envy for Equanimity
• trading Avarice for Time
• trading Ambition for Liberty

It's written with deep conviction that it is far too late and things are far too bad for pessimism. In times such as these, it is no failure to fall short of realizing all that we might dream - the failure is to fall short of dreaming all that we might realize.

The answer lies in the very concept of organization and in the beliefs and values of individuals...The organization of the future will be the embodiment of community based on shared purpose calling to the higher aspirations of people...Small shifts in deeply held beliefs and values can massively alter societal behavior and results - in fact, may be the only things that ever have.

Forming a chaordic organization begins with an intensive search for Purpose, then proceeds to Principles, People, and Concept, and only then to Structure and Practice... The process can easily begin with a deceptively simple question: "If anything imaginable is possible, if there are no constraints whatever, what would be the nature of an ideal organization to ..........?" Finishing the question is all-important. It is essential to determine with absolute clarity, shared understanding, and deep conviction the Purpose of the community.

To me, purpose is a clear, simple statement of intent that identifies and binds the community together as worthy of pursuit. It is more than what we want to accomplish. It is an unambiguous expression of that which people jointly wish to become. It should speak to them so powerfully that all can say with conviction, "If we could achieve that, my life would have meaning."

Given the right circumstances, from no more than dreams, determination, and the liberty to try, quite ordinary people consistently do extraordinary things.

My inner voice says, "Something is trying to happen. It is filled with potential and fraught with peril. It wants to use you. Set foot on the path, and there is no turning back. The choice is yours - refuse or be used." I cannot put to rest a vague sense that the something which is trying to happen may be what my life is about.
" Why didn't you do it?" the grandchildren ask. What would I say? Too old? Not enough time? Too difficult? No money? No power? It's a conversation I do not care to contemplate or dare to risk...."Why me, God?" The bemused reply is ever the same. "Why not?"

George Bernard Shaw:

This is the true joy of life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

A life can't be made of denial. A life must be made of affirmation.... Life is a gift, bearing a gift, which is the art of giving.

I believe that it (hope) is awakened, revived, nourished by millions of solitary individuals whose deeds and works every day negate frontiers and the crudest implications of history. Each and every one, on the foundations of their own suffering and joy, builds for all.