Our Philosophy

The Natural Systems Approach

Its roots

The Natural Systems Approach has evolved from the underpinning models of Open Space, Chaos Theory, Therapeutic Models, Natural Systems, Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence.

What it is

The Natural Systems Approach focuses on how to maximise the amount of energy in a human organic system that is directed towards true purpose. We use analogies from other natural organic systems such as animal, plant, insect etc. to develop our techniques and processes. Our underpinning models are ones that have been used with great success in both the western and the eastern worlds over a considerable time. The Natural Systems Approach is an approach developed by The Human Energy Centre. We combine the best of these models when working with organisations in order to support them in workplace culture change to become the organisations they want to be.

We appreciate the complexity of our current world and have taken time to research and understand how complex systems such as the development of a flower, the organisation of a nest of ants, the movement of water, and a community preparing for Christmas can give intelligence on how to develop the ability of Leaders and Managers in organisations.

The Natural Systems Approach is based on the belief that people have the ability to create systems and work teams that emerge naturally to meet the needs of the task and business goals and that these emerging  teams  can be self-organising. This allows for the naturally responsive nature of people to find space for their own creative processes when not under a control system that operates top down. Our logo in fact depicts a wave (representing fluidity and responsiveness) within the hierarchical pyramid structure. The pyramid structure is one that we see in many of our organisations today; this structure has its origins in the church and the military and has been used over the last few centuries. The Natural Systems Approach seeks to create more flow in organisational structure to allow people to express themselves more fully.

The Natural Systems Approach works at seven levels in organisations. This starts with vision and goes through the structures, operational teams, issues around quality, work, leadership, management, people's health and well being to create a whole approach to the health and effectiveness of energy creation.

How does it support improvement to organisational performance?

We are all aware of how organisations start their life - initially from one or two ideas and a small group of people. As the organisation grows, it divides up and the whole splits into factions. To maintain cohesion, structures such as communication channels, rules, policies etc. are created. These in turn create boundaries and rules to support people and often become so restrictive that people feel controlled and their energy reduces.

The Natural Systems Approach seeks to create the whole, the overall cohesion of an organisation in a more flowing and free way so that energy expands, not reduces.

To start this process, we have identified 7 focus areas that together create the whole. These are :

• Strategic Vision and Purpose
• Real Quality
• Architecture of the organisation
• Spectrum of Leadership and Management
• The Living Framework
• The 'Wellness' Wheel
• Connecting to Higher Purpose

The interaction of the seven focus areas is a fractal pattern that exists throughout the organisation at every level. It can be seen by looking at the organisation as a whole, by looking at individual divisions, working teams or even by looking at individuals within the organisation.

The elements of all seven focus areas naturally exist in every organisation whether they have been consciously created or have unconsciously emerged. A major aspect of our work is helping to bring these patterns into full awareness. It is then possible for the organisation and its people to make choices.

Values which underpin the approach

As described above, the Natural Systems Approach is a system which works with values of empowerment, freedom, and trust in natural emergence of form and shape; also with the belief that over-control and over-planning reduces people's ability to use their own innate powers of sensory awareness, self motivation, self-mobilisation, creativity and responsiveness.

The Natural Systems Approach is all about expansion, about being open to allow the new, and to be responsive to changing conditions; an adaptive system that, by its adaptive nature, creates its own ability to sustain itself.

It's more powerful than change. Why? Because it creates the ongoing ability to respond and to continuously learn so that the organisation is constantly evolving without people being aware or concerned about  a change process  being imposed on them.