Dancing at the Edge

Overview

In Dancing at the Edge, Maureen O'Hara and Graham Leicester map the "powerful times" in which we live, the 21st-century competencies required to thrive in this complexity and how to discover and develop them in practice. The picture that emerges is complex but remarkably clear and surprisingly hopeful. Organizations of every sort can create the conditions, offer the support and provide the context within which engaged, aware, passionate and compassionate people can rise abovedenial and take on the challenges of today's powerful times.

Reviews

"We want to change the world. But that begins with ourselves. Often our focus is almost incessantly outward with what is wrong out there, without the corresponding reflection upon and assessment of our own skills, attitudes and beliefs. To do such reflection and assessment we need the set of concepts in this book, exquisitely organized around the important concept of 'The Person of Tomorrow'. That person could be you." Bob Horn, Visiting Scholar in the Human Sciences and Technology Advanced Research Institute (H-STAR) at Stanford University and CEO, MacroVU Inc. "For anyone feeling the challenge of today's world and struggling to find their feet amidst the complexity, this is a book to savour and treasure. Drawing on long experience, wide research and deep reflection the authors build on the simple statement that 'the first step is awareness' to take us on a journey of deepening our inherent capacities to meet the world through transformative growth and learning in action. It is refreshing and valuable to find a book that recognises the importance of bringing our whole complex human capacity to the task of systems transition, renewal and regeneration. We can look for patterns and design pathways. But it is always persons, working together, who make the journey to the third horizon. If we want to shift the culture, we have to do something counter-cultural, we have to dance at the edge. Take this book with you." Bill Sharpe, author, Three Horizons: The patterning of hope "As a set of guidelines to how we should think and act in powerful and liquid times, this is an excellent start, ably assisted by the distinctive artwork of Jennifer Williams that sets a questing tone, and the handsome production values of Triarchy Press." Michael Marien, Global Foresight Books "Leadership Development is an industry and like all industries it has its own marketing strategies. One is coming up with fancy labels and new ideas rather than considering real need. But does it help organizations solve their challenges to jump on the next bandwagon leadership approach? Or are we in the innovation trap of leadership and people development – not taking care of what is proven and still valuable to apply, to be combined with additional approaches, methods and tools. The work of Leicester and O'Hara is different. It provides an orientation to the field and is based on solid philosophical and historical thinking. It makes you think and reflect and it is a good starting point for coping with the variety of challenges emerging in today's environment. I like the book because it makes me think and it encourages me to take these ideas as a starting point for all my actions in my professional environment. Especially the idea of transitioning from a socialized mind to a self-transforming mind, which has become the compass/quest for all my thoughts and actions. The book in three words: inspiring, motivating, enabling." Peter Spannagl, Global Talent and Inclusion, Bayer "In business today there is a permeating sense that the toolbox of management practices developed over the last 50 years is not enough to equip leaders to navigate these complex times and deliver sustainable results. There is much discussion and literature supporting the need for more transformational leaders, yet very little practical advice on how to develop these abilities. This is where I see the work of Leicester and O'Hara making a profound contribution to the next level of leadership development. Exploration of the Psychological, Cultural and Epistemic literacies provides a blueprint for individuals to grow the competencies needed to face the challenges of today and tomorrow in an adaptive manner. This book gives me hope that through a deeper connection with our innate humanism and having the courage to work at the edge of our abilities we can collectively create a better future for all humanity. " Susan Francis, Leadership Development Consultant 

Author Biography

Graham Leicester is Director of International Futures Forum. He previously ran Scotland's leading think tank, the Scottish Council Foundation, founded in 1997. Maureen O'Hara PhD is Professor of Psychology, National University, USA; President Emerita, Saybrook University, San Francisco; and Director, International Futures Forum-US.