Connective Dynamics: I—We—It [Purpose]

“Collective clarity of purpose is the invisible leader.”  Mary Parker Follett

 On these posts, we have been discussing research showing that humans have an inherent connective capacity. But what helps us best access and use it? What creates the centrifugal force that allows a group of individuals to become a coherent ‘we’ and invite collective intelligence, even for a short period of time? What attracts us to the energetic spin of connection, collaboration, and the collective ‘we’?

What is ‘It’?

 The ‘it’ in the connective  spin is the topic or purpose for a group or team coming together.

In preparing for collective work around a theme or topic, we need to ask ourselves what this work is in service of, what the stakes are, what the desired outcome is.  The right topic creates a an attractor that draws in and engages those with wisdom and experience to share.  A topic of importance brings in the resonance of common purpose. It can pull us out past ourselves to make our best contributions, thus the "I-WE-IT".

Creating a common sense of purpose seems easy, but in fact, framing topics that fire our imaginations and feel important for us individually, as well as for us collectively, whether an organization or community, takes real focus and  both attention and intention. 

The right topics compel us forward.  The ‘It’ acts on us; it is itself an actor in connective dynamics. Topics need to not only have collective desire at the center but also need to be expressed and framed in a way that creates possibilities, anticipation, and investment rather than pessimism and blame throwing.  If just stating the topic [our purposeful ‘it'] begins to create an image of a workable future, it is probably on track and will energize our connections.