Otto Scharmer presents a revolutionary approach to learning and leadership that addresses our time of massive institutional failure manifesting in ecological, social, and spiritual divides, requiring new consciousness and collective leadership capacity to create the future we actually want rather than collectively producing results no one desires. Scharmer identifies our fundamental problem as the “blind spot”—our lack of awareness of the inner place from which our attention and intention originate—which keeps us stuck in patterns of the past and prevents us from accessing authentic transformation. His groundbreaking U process guides leaders, organizations, and larger systems through a journey of “presencing” that moves from downloading familiar patterns, through seeing with fresh eyes and sensing deeper possibilities, to connecting with authentic Self—the deepest source of knowledge and inspiration—and finally prototyping and performing new realities. The book offers compelling stories, examples, exercises, and practices that enable what Scharmer calls “cosensing” and “coshaping” the future that wants to emerge, supported by tools and methods available through their website for change-makers to more clearly sense and enact breakthrough solutions. This second edition includes new case stories from around the world, identification of five transformational trends, eight color drawings by Kelvy Bird illustrating U journey applications, and additional resources for applying principles and practices that help individuals and groups lead from emerging future possibilities rather than past constraints.
Why this matters: Scharmer provides practical methodology for the kind of leadership our complex times demand—learning to sense into future possibilities and lead from what wants to emerge rather than defending what already exists, while developing the inner awareness and collective capacity necessary for conscious participation in transformation.
