The document discusses the lifecycle of forests and organizations through an "ecocycle" model with four phases: birth/growth, maturity/conservation, exploration/release, and renewal. It notes challenges organizations face in letting go of old approaches and embracing new, emerging ones. The final sections provide questions for discussion around what phases individuals feel most and least comfortable in based on preferences around new ideas generation, effectiveness, productivity, and vision.

1. Headstart Action-Learning Project Pre-Retreat Session March 24, 2011 Mark Cabaj

2. The birth, growth, destruction and renewal of a forest Exploitation Conservation Creative Destruction Renewal

3. From Lifecycle to Ecocycle The Performance Loop The Renewal Loop Source: http://www.plexusinstitute.org/edgeware/archive/think/main_aides9.html

4. BIRTH GROWTH MATURITY

5. BIRTH GROWTH MATURITY EXPLORATION RELEASE DEVELOPMENTAL CONSERVATION

6. The Innovators Dilemma Whether/how to “let go” of the current approach without being precisely clear about the substance, strengths and weaknesses of the “new and emerging” approach . The Renewal Paradox It is often easier to await the manifest failure of the existing patterns and approaches before beginning the renewal process - even though it may mean the eventual renewal process is more fragile and less robust.

7. choice sustain & grow MATURITY & CONSERVATION EXPLORATION RELEASE DEVELOPMENT crisis reconnect manage new thinking confusion develop & adapt birth New Ideas: Creative * Messy * Uncertain* First hand insights * Outside ideas * Multiple Perspectives * Flat structure & process * Probes & Little Experiments * Options Effectiveness: Entrepreneurial * Generalists * Roles * Adaptive structure and process * Prototypes & Pilot Projects * Variation * Lag times Flexible funding * Flexible rules * Tolerance for Risk * Dead ends * Emerging Practice Productivity: Efficiency * Certainty * Stability * Hierarchical structure & process * Clear Tasks, Rules, Policies & Procedures * Standardization * Specialists * Fast Returns * Low Risk Tolerance Vision: Charismatic * Unraveling * Chaotic * Loss, Anger, Blame, Conflict * Little structure or process * Reflection * Relationships * Essence * Values * Principles * New Energy & Urgency expand possibilities & buy-in place bets refine shared vision conserve broad direction declining EROI

8. Find a colleague at your table. Each take 5 minutes to share your answers to the following questions: In which areas of the ‘eco-cycle’ do you feel most comfortable and energized? Least comfortable and energized? Describe a project or activity that illustrates each answer. Preferences!