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Spiral
Dynamics is a theory of step-wise cognitive development. As our brains mature
and grow more neural paths we are able to engage in more complex processing that
allows us to step beyond innate preferences to conscious use of other
capacities. Cognitive changes coalesce into discrete levels. These macro-level
resonances, or strange attractors, are referred to as vMemes. As we move up to more
complex levels of cognitive development, we have more and more options available
for processing information and dealing with our environment.
Organizational behaviors tend to cluster around a preferred cultural “vMeme”.
In order to initiate organizational change, both individual people and the
organizational systems and structures must be able to cope with the next level
of complexity, or the change will fail. Different jobs require processing
in different vMemes.
Leaders need to work with multiple cognitive levels and to minimize conflict
between vMemes
to maintain a healthy organization. As the world grows more complex, higher and
higher levels of cognitive capabilities will be needed to lead successful
organizations, while coping with the fact that most of the organization’s rank
and file will not possess the skills to navigate rapid environmental changes or
cope with multinational complexity on their own.
Cognitive Levels in Individuals and Cultures
First Tier Systems
Immature
(Child-Youth) Developmental Levels
|
|
1 |
BEIGE |
A-N
Instinctive
Survival
Self/Band |
·
Focus: survival; biogenic needs satisfaction; reproduction; satisfy
instinctive urges; deep/old brain |
|
·
World is a state of nature and biological urges/drives; physical senses
dictate the state of being |
|
·
Life as NATURAL INSTINCTS; reflexes direct; automatic existence; passive |
|
2 |
PURPLE |
B-O
Animistic
Tribal
Order Clannish
Us |
·
Focus: safety, placate spirit realm; honor ancestors and elders;
protection from harm; family bonds |
|
·
Life as a MAGIC CIRCLE that makes all inside feel safe |
|
·
World is threatening and full of mysterious powers and spirit beings which
must be placated and appeased |
|
·
Respond according to spirits, chief, tradition and ritual ways of group;
tribal; animistic |
|
3 |
RED |
C-P
Egocentric
Powerful
Gangs
Express
Self NOW |
·
Focus: power/action; asserting self to dominate others; control; sensory
pleasure |
|
·
Life as an EXPLOITIVE
EMPIRE where one feels powerful and in
control |
|
·
World is like a hostile jungle where the tough and strong prevail, the
weak serve; nature is an adversary to be conquered |
|
·
Respond by asserting self for dominance, conquest, and power; exploitive;
egocentric, impulsive |
|
|
|
4 |
BLUE |
D-Q
Absolutistic
Truth Force
Authority
Structure Righteous
Us |
·
Focus: stability/order; obedience to earn reward later; meaning; purpose;
certainty; Truth-Law |
|
·
Life as a solid PYRAMID (hierarchy) giving stability and permanence |
|
·
World is controlled by a Higher Power that punishes evil and eventually
rewards good works and righteous living |
|
·
Respond obediently as higher authority and rules direct; conforming; guilty;
self-sacrifice; punitive |
|
5 |
ORANGE |
E-R
Multiplistic
Strategic
Enterprise
Achieving
Materialist |
·
Focus: opportunity/success; competing to achieve results; influence;
autonomy, success |
|
·
Life as a challenging GAME that promotes progress, opportunity and skill |
|
·
World is full of resources to develop and opportunities to make things
better and bring prosperity |
|
·
Respond pragmatically to achieve results and get ahead; test options;
maneuver; use technology for best solution |
|
6
|
GREEN |
F-S
Relativistic
Social
Network Commun-
itarian |
·
Focus: people; harmony/love; joining together for mutual growth; awareness;
belonging; inner-beings |
|
·
Life as a supportive COMMUNITY that cares for its own |
|
·
World is the habitat wherein humanity can find love and purposes through
affiliation and sharing |
|
·
Respond to human needs; affiliative; situational; consensual; fluid;
egalitarian |
|
|
|
7
|
YELLOW |
G-T
Systemic
Process
Flow Integrated
Partner |
·
Focus: independence/self-worth; fitting a living system; knowing; good
questions; competencies |
|
·
Life as a flowing STREAM crossing shifting natural plates |
|
·
World is a chaotic organism with conflicting truths where change is normal
and uncertainty an acceptable state of being |
|
·
Response is functional; integrative; interdependent; existential; flexible;
questioning; accepting |
|
8 |
TURQUOISE |
H-U
Global
Holistic
Organism
Spiritual
Counselor |
·
Focus: global community/life force; survival of all life on Earth;
consciousness; expand human brain/mind |
|
·
Universe as a LIVING thing, bringing order from within chaos |
|
·
World is a delicately balanced system of interlocking forces in jeopardy at
humanity's hands; chaordic, synthesis oriented |
|
·
Response is experiential; transpersonal; minimalist; collective
consciousness; collaborative; interconnected |
Spiral Dynamics (SD), a theory of
cognitive development at a personal and societal level, was developed by Claire
Graves in the 1960's. Don Beck and Chris Cowan[i]
have refined the early work and have expanded and fused the theory with the work
of Richard Dawkins[ii]
and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi[iii]
on memes and with Ken Wilber's Integral studies.[iv]
SD
research has identified a series of at least eight (8) developmental levels that
correspond with the levels identified in research done by Robert Kegan and
reported in his book,
In Over Our Heads[v].
At each level of development, people are able to deal with an increasing level
of complexity in their surroundings. Conversely, complexity in environment is
thought to foster individual development of the capacity to deal with that
complexity. Levels are not static, nor is a jump in cognitive development an
irreversible transition. Rather, the capability of individuals or societies to
deal with complexity tends to ebb and flow as life conditions change. In
addition, utilization of cognitive capacity may be context sensitive.
[i]
Beck, Don Edward and Cowan, Christopher C. Spiral Dynamics - Mastering
Values, Leadership, and Change. Blackwell Publishers, Inc, Malden,
Mass, 1996.
[ii]
Dawkins, Richard. The Selfish Gene, New Edition. Oxford University
Press, Oxford, 1989.
[iii]
Czikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. The Evolving Self: A Psychology for the Third
Millennium. HarperCollins, New York, 1993.
[v]
Kegan, Robert. In Over Our
Heads: The Mental Demands of Modern Life. Harvard
University Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1994.
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