At the end of an evolutionary stage, the group goes through a crisis in which the current world model doesn’t meet the needs of the evolving group. This crisis causes a revolution, enabling the group to move onto the next evolutionary stage.
Figure a. Revolutionary Crisis
Crisis A – Organization
Between stages 1 and 2 is the first crisis. It is the transition from the concrete, survival mode to being organized. Rules are put in place to follow, allowing a consistent, predictable environment leaving survival. Crisis A is the step between the reptilian survival brain and the emergence of the mammalian social brain.
Between stages 1 and 2 is the first crisis. It is the transition from the concrete, survival mode to being organized. Rules are put in place to follow, allowing a consistent, predictable environment leaving survival. Crisis A is the step between the reptilian survival brain and the emergence of the mammalian social brain.
In psychology, the concept of object permanence is the indicator that a child has evolved into the next stage of development. The child understands that while it cannot perceive an object, the object still exists in the real world and can be understood in the mind. The concrete, immediately visible world is no longer the only thing that exists.
In organizations, the first crisis is a crisis of leadership. The original founders of the organization find that they might not be the right people to grow the company, so they hire new management to continue the organization. People in the organization aren’t alienated, but they identify with being separate. Following the creative flow gives way to directed behavior. Individuals become loosely connected and organized.
In society, the crisis is also about leadership. The tribal leadership that held together a tribe is insufficient to manage multiple tribes joined together. A king arises to bring together warring tribes. The Feudalist society provides a structure of social organization that was previously not available.
Crisis B – Autonomy
Between stages 2 and 3 is the crisis of autonomy. Organizing rules created during organization are discarded in favor of independence and the emergence of the self.
Between stages 2 and 3 is the crisis of autonomy. Organizing rules created during organization are discarded in favor of independence and the emergence of the self.
The individual begins to need independence from rules and acts independently. Collaboration is about personal relationships in a “me” environment. The individuals build dyadic relationships, promoting themselves as great.
The organization starts to build dyadic relationships. Incentive programs focus on individual bonuses. “I’m great” pervades the general mental state of the organization.
The society desires more say in the political system, democratizing major representative parts of the society. Individuals in the society desire a say in their own governance.
Crisis C – Going Direct, Connecting
Between stages 3 and 4 is the crisis of Control. Representative leadership no longer provides the level of connection with the decision process for the more-evolved individual.
Between stages 3 and 4 is the crisis of Control. Representative leadership no longer provides the level of connection with the decision process for the more-evolved individual.
Crisis C is the first of the logical brain taking over, and the groups understanding the power of more than the individual. “We’re great” pervades the halls, with leadership democratized to the individual.
Individuals in a society begin to desire direct access rather than representative access to decisions and responsibility. They ask for more say in their religion, politics, business organizations and anything they used to have a representative make decisions about regarding how the individual behaves.
Crisis D – World view
Between stages 4 and 5 is the crisis of becoming world actualized.
Individuals begin living into a higher purpose. This higher purpose increases their passion. They are living in the highest part of the logical brain. They become interdependent, focused on the world and global issues. Individuals start to have more investment capitol available.
In organizations, it is a crisis of red tape. The rules that helped the organization get to its current state are no longer applicable to the proper functioning of the organization. Those rules tend to slow progress rather than enable it.
Society as a whole becomes more concerned with the entire world. This world vision provides the motivation to behave in aggregate appropriate to universal laws instead of national or self-serving laws.