That Zero-Point!

The team I work with made a difficult choice.

They were in the middle of the zero-point of change.

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The place where you have to let go of everything that is not essential.

Let go, in order to continue building new ways of working together.

It's trickier than you might think. And often involves

a situation that is painful.

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Such as an argument, a system that stops functioning, a collaboration that stops,

friction in relationships or friendships, worries about

your job, your home, money or health.

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These difficult situations often mark the change that is coming.

Do you recognise that?

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Unfortunately, you cannot force those painful situations, as well as the change.

It is something that requires natural timing.

But if you go through it well, it ignites a huge flow of

opportunities and new possibilities.

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When we reach that a zero point, we know two things:

1. Shit! I have to get through the struggle, for better or worse

2. Life is inviting me to grow, to change something profoundly

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And in the latter we find the pearls.

They are our lessons, our wisdom gained and our hard-earned successes.

Mostly however, we experience these pearls afterwards.

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I took a beautiful walk last weekend with a woman who has accomplished a lot in business.

She also knows Theory U and we exchange experiences.

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She talks about her first team that went through a Theory U change.

Her team found the zero point (the linimal space) of change

difficult and decided to cross straight-over.

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An image of the 5 movements of Theory U:

The team at the time, she says, did not want to wait for the zero point and chose to skip the Liminal Space (3.).

To move on to the next phase / movement.

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I look at my hiking companion from the side and am very aware of my feeling of surprise.

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The nature-lover in me gets thrown-off for a moment.

Why would they do that? I think out loud.

They gave up their chance to let natural change find its own way!

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Of course I understand her old team. Waiting for a natural movement that you can't influence doesn't feel good or realistic.

It doesn't suit our results-oriented way of working.

Not being able to force a phase, means loss of control.

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And let's face it, that's always uncomfortable.

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We continu our walk along our river Maas and I see how the river too has its own

movements and curves. She lives at her own pace, sometimes calm, sometimes furious.

And she definitely has her own timing.

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I think back at how uncomfortable my team was just before that zero-point, the liminal space.

It took some weeks and it felt hugely frustrating, the pressure of the difficult

situation that suddenly presented itself.

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To want to do something with your whole being, get into the action and push through.

But having to pull back and retreat, doing less and being okay with the temporary frustrations and Not-Knowing of how this is going to turn out.

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The tension always builds quickly in this space and feels very awkard.

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Guess what happened when they surrendered in the middle of their frustation?

When they retreated and for just one moment left things as they were?

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Yes!

They fell right through that zero-point.

Suddenly something happened, a spontaneous situation that at first felt painful

but it made everything flow again in big ways.

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Natural change is beautiful!

It is rich and adventurous.

It brings unexpected twists and turns.

And all it takes is

deep trust.

POSTSCRIPTUM

Are you curious at what natural change could look like for your team? Check out thes Natural Change Journey.

LOVER of LIFE, NATURE and ALL LIVING BEINGS

FACILITATOR & SPACEHOLDER OF NATURAL CHANGE | THEORY U ENTHUSIAST