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EFMD European Foundation for Management Development- Mars 1st, 2005

Managing Diversity with CHRISTINE HARDY

* Fostering cooperation & the valuation of divergence

through Learning NetworksLearning Networks (inter-experts, intra-organization)

*Creating a network of diversified human resources, to foster:

· shared vision & values ·  network thinking & collective intelligence · commitment & relations based on synergy

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Learning network. The Information Society (IS)

is a lattice of evolving, growing networks, networks, entertwined entertwined

at the planetary level.

. This network-organization fostersa new mode of thinking a new mode of thinking – synergistic &

cooperative

The learning network : The learning network : • creates intense interactionsinteractions between

partners • stimulates creativity creativity and innovation

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Two phases :

A: Drawing the network of partners

- key-concepts- techniques

B : Building the learning network

- key-concepts- techniques

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A. Network of partners

1. The network-dynamic is a flow among a multiplicity of a flow among a multiplicity of nodesnodes: * it values all linked players (the nodes) and fosters a flexible organization   * all players mutually influence each other (Joseph Nye’s soft power).

2. In a Network, interactions happen at the personal level at the personal level : * they cut through hierarchy and cross over boundaries (Varela).

3. The decision process is consensualdecision process is consensual: * the network is multi-partners: it generates a constructive

dialogue.

4. Networks have a tendancy to grow and become world-world-widewide * decisions and actions should favorize the global environment.

5. The network-dynamic stimulates individual potentials stimulates individual potentials (creative & artistic potentials, consciousness talents).

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Network of partners

A.2. Drawing the network of partners :

    Draw the Constellations of partners & add their role and functionrole and function

(expressed as a verb – ie, selling, producting)

  Add the connected or interacting groups (clients, fournisseurs, consultants,

etc.)

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Network of partners Example: A publisher’s network

readers

distribution

authors

publisher

medias

printing

inciting

empathizing

purveying

creating

publishing

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Network of partners Drawing the network of partners…

Add the environmentenvironment around each player’s constellation

places (towns, states, countries) and influential contexts

populations affected by the company or its products (ie, through being

neighbors)

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B. Learning network1. The organization as a network of shared meaning network of shared meaning : * shared values, integrated aims (Peter Senge)

2. Harmonization with the social environment social environment : * coupling the network with the local environment (Varela) * system co-evolving with its environment (Manfred

Mack) * showing responsability, generating opportunities.

3. Concept of ‘logical fieldlogical field’ (or logfieldlogfield): the specific logic used by an expert, a partner,or else: a science, a paradigm

The Learning NetworkLearning Network creates a synergy between the diverse LogFields of all partners

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Learning Network

Drawing the interactions

* Draw the connections connections between (groups of) partners

* Define the logical field logical field of each partner(objectives, values, organizational modes)

Drawing the

logics of interactionlogics of interaction

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Learning network

Highlighting the problemsWhat are the convergences convergences btw (groups of)

partners ?  What are the divergencesdivergences between them ?  check for communicationcommunication problemsproblems  check for organizationorganization problems problems (places,

rythms…)   check for logical fields problems logical fields problems (reasoning style,

action style, processes…)

Draw all

interactioninteraction problems problems

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Learning networkCreating a learning network

Improving the connections connections between partnersValuation of our Valuation of our partners (know the value of each

one)

Swapping one’s roleSwapping one’s role with another’s (putting oneself

in the place of the other)

Fostering synergy and cooperation Fostering synergy and cooperation Creating a multidimensional logfieldCreating a multidimensional logfield

‘‘Visioning’ of the networkVisioning’ of the network

& the whole web of interactions & the whole web of interactions

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Managing diversity

Christine Hardy Christine Hardy Eco-MindEco-Mind

  CHRISTINE HARDY, cognitive scientist, PhD in psychological anthropology, specialist of the new scientific paradigm, has published several books on progressive scientific

research and her own theoretical research, which she regularly presents through articles in scientific journals as well as in international conferences.

She is currently a consultant for organizations in Knowledge Management and Change.