Unlocking Paradigms

A paradigm is a perceived definition of reality.  In the United States, the perception is that we represent a free democracy, which is governed by the people.  This is our political paradigm.  A country ruled by a dictatorship represents a very different paradigm.  Most societies can be defined by their “dominant” paradigm.  However, because of rapid change, stable society’s experience “emergent” paradigms.  When emergent paradigms become more expansive, they threaten to displace the dominant paradigm.  Organizations too represent dominant paradigms.  Here too emergent paradigms can threaten dominant paradigms.  When emergent paradigms displace dominant paradigms, an organization experiences dramatic and even disruptive change.  Understanding paradigms and how they work can be useful to leadership.