C. Otto Scharmer
Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 204 pages
Reviewed by Cyndi Wunder
If you’re like me, you’ve read dozens of leadership and management books. Most come from the business world and only a few give a nod to anything spiritual. What if there was a model of leadership that was focused on listening deeply to what is longing to be born? What if there was a model of leadership that rested on the belief that there is a potential future that is good and generous, that enables the best of humanity to shine — you know, a Kingdom-of-God future?
Theory U is a business leadership model with the end goal of co-creating a good society, of profoundly transforming our world for the good of all people. This theory relies on the willingness of participants to be deeply conscious of their own internal motivations and dreams. Too often we lead as if we were capitalistic organizations, focusing on maintaining a good budget or increasing the number of butts in the pew. Theory U is designed to help us realign our intentions with our behaviors such that we are truly operating along the countercultural Kingdom-of-God values.
In February, I introduced Theory U to the session. I presented the session with an offer, an opportunity to use this model. I did not consider this offer as being particularly serious and therefore thought it would be good fodder for practice. This offer was: “Should we convert our gendered bathrooms to non-gendered, thereby supporting full inclusion of our LGBTQ neighbors?” As we processed this using Theory U, we discussed where our hearts were closed, our imaginations limited and our will to act exhausted. We talked about how we longed to have open hearts, wild imaginations and be on fire for the Kingdom of God. We talked about how we might make that shift and have more compassion, more energy, more willingness.
Theory U focuses on seeing with open eyes, on being fully present to the lived reality of those involved, such that courage and compassion become our lived-in ways of being. As the session used this model to process this difficult offer, our hearts were opened to the experience of our parishioners who require their spouse’s assistance in the bathroom. We realized that those who required such help had ceased coming to church. Our work with this process helped us to see that the well-being of some of our life-long parishioners was intertwined with the well-being of our LGBTQ neighbors. We realized we had tacitly accepted the exclusion of some of our older and disabled parishioners.
Theory U offers a leadership model that is consistent with listening to the Holy Spirit and being willing to be led by God. This model is predicated on helping us to live in alignment with our deepest values. I believe this is what we all truly long for — a life of integrity, meaning and purpose. Theory U can help us get there.
Cyndi Wunder is pastor of Lodi Presbyterian Church in Lodi, Wisconsin. She is a former drug and alcohol counselor, burlesque fan and equine enthusiast.
