Adrienne Maree Brown’s “Emergent Strategy” is a unique and powerful read, distinct from conventional strategy or leadership books. It delves deep into the soul and justice, offering a fresh perspective.
One of the most compelling aspects of ‘Emergent Strategy’ is its emphasis on the power of relationships. As Brown eloquently puts it, ‘The strength of our movement is in the strength of our relationships…Scaling up would mean going deeper, being more vulnerable and empathetic.’ This focus on connection makes the reader feel valued and integral to the strategy.
Being inspired by Octavia Butler, a science fiction writer, shows it can be easier to spot patterns from a completely different walk of life than reading a textbook. Perhaps it’s because you get more captivated by the characters’ stories that bring to life the values and behaviours of leadership.
1. Change is constant. Be like water.
2. There is always enough time for the proper work.
3. There is a conversation in the room that only these people at this moment can have. Find it.
4. Never a failure, always a lesson.
5. Trust the people, they will become trustworthy.
6. Move at the speed of trust.
7. Focus on critical connections more than critical mass.
8. Less prep, more presence. What you pay attention to grows
As a gardener, I’ve always found using plants as metaphors potent, so I love the work Brown documents from Complex Movements even more when considering how nature has built its resilience and adapted far better than humans. What can we learn from nature?
How do we nurture adaptation rather than planning?
