What is Spiral Dynamics integral?
Training in Spiral Dynamics integral Applications
In association with Roger K. Deaner (an accredited Trainer of SDi) and the Organisational Development Group, we provide a comprehensive introduction to the Spiral Dynamics integral model over a 2-Day session, including a unique experience of the model and the value memes.
Overview
Spiral Dynamics integral – stated as the emergent model that explains everything about how humans and cultures think and react in their environmental conditions, thus providing predictive qualities on responses to change, and a model to assist in the organisation of complex environments.
The original work was developed by the late Dr. Clare Graves in the 1970s, who called it The Emergent Cyclical Double Helix Model of Adult Human Bio-psycho-social-systemic Behavioural Systems (a reflection of his academic rigour), or otherwise known as the Gravesian model. Graves worked with Dr. Don Beck since 1975. Beck was responsible for bringing Graves’ work to the attention of the wider community.
By 1996, Dr. Don Beck expanded the original concept of “value systems” by introducing the concept of “value memes” (from the field of memetics). His co-researcher was Christopher Cowan, Beck’s former graduate student. The two of them worked closely for 29 years before ending their partnership in 1999. In this time they re-named the model Spiral Dynamics, as it is symbolic of the double helix DNA image. Beck and Cowan wrote the book, Spiral Dynamics – mastering values, leadership, and change (1996).
Since 1999, Don Beck has further developed the Spiral Dynamics model by incorporating the systemic thinking approach of Ken Wilber, and has re-branded the model as Spiral Dynamics integral. It now includes Wilber’s All Quadrants/All Levels/All Lines model, providing a methodology for integrating Spiral Dynamics into personal, organisational and societal operations.
This model is still emerging with the global discovery of new ‘value memes’ or stages in human beings that indicate new ways of coping and dealing with increasingly complex environments.
How can Spiral Dynamics integral be used to improve cultural alignment and business performance?
People are motivated by different things. At a practical level we can say that people are motivated by either the carrot or the stick and that their behaviours will be driven by their position on this analogue scale.
At a systemic level there are undercurrents and tows that can influence behaviours at a values level. For instance, someone who has strong family values and has a high regard for tradition, loyalty and group cohesion may resist change in the business environment because it threatens the retention of “sameness” – “doing things like we’ve always done.” On the other hand, someone who is a high achiever, who instigates changes to the status quo, and forges ahead into the future and has little regard for tradition, may end up throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
Someone who is well developed in the realm of compliance and procedures and is most comfortable when implementing and adhering to ‘rules’, would be ideal in any corporate governance, audit, compliance or safety role. But if you ask this person to think outside the square and flaunt their creative flair, don’t expect them to be comfortable with that, or to be innovative.
When you have recruited a Gen Y team and, as quoted by our colleague Roger Deaner, they have no fear of lack of tradition, lack of authority, lack of compliance, lack of money, lack of community sharing, and are motivated by what interests them at the time, how do you manage these people?
These scenarios are simplistic, and in reality there is a dynamic mix of these values in each individual, called a values meme stack. SDi can be used to identify an individual or group’s meme stack and to demonstrate the types of behaviours to expect and the leadership and communication skills required to form optimal teams and performance.
How do I use the Spiral Dynamics integral model to benefit my team or organisation?
The SDi model can be extremely useful in the following organisational scenarios:
- For successful recruitment of key personnel/managers – for identifying how the deep motivational values of the candidate will affect their behaviours during various changes in the business environment.
- For selection of inter-departmental project teams – ensuring an ideal mix of talent and motivation
- For organisational change strategies – checking the readiness for change and generating an effective communication strategy
- During a merger/acquisition between two companies – for bringing together diverse cultures and limiting clashes.
There are a number of options you may choose in introducing the SDi model as a tool within your business strategy:
1. Introductory Assessment :
Holon Business Group are certified Practitioners of the SDi model, certified by Dr. Don Beck. As specialists we can provide a verbal or written assessment of your team or organisational environment and provide an overview regarding the cultural fit with the current business and future direction.
2. Diagnostic Assessment and Reporting:
As part of a comprehensive consulting project we can provide a benchmarking measure of your organisational culture using the SDi diagnostic tools: BusinessSCAN, Values Survey, Change State Indicator (CSI). These assessment tools and our expert findings will enable you to manage necessary cultural changes. The scope of the project is determined by you.
3. Management Training:
Training of key managers and leaders in the use of the SDi model for greater effectiveness in day to day communication between teams and individuals is available via the Organisational Development Group.
For more information about Dr. Don Beck’s worldwide projects go to www.spiraldynamics.org and click on Don Beck’s link.
For a reference on Don Beck’s 20 year work with South Africa as a geo-political advisor you may be interested in the book The Crucible: Forging South Africa’s Future (1991).
For more information about SDi applications training programs, please phone
