Agile Transformation - Using the Integral Agile Transformation Framework to Think and Lead Differently

Agile Transformation is founded on the Integral Agile Transformation Framework ™ (IATF), which utilizes the power of Integral thinking to help us gain a thoroughly fresh perspective on Agile Transformations. Integral is natively systemic, intentionally multi-leveled (individuals up to organizations), inherently subjectively oriented (heart-centered) and objectively oriented (data-driven), providing a left and right-brain integrated approach. The Integral view looks with compassion at the different and conflicting worldviews, offering us clarity and new ways of understanding each other and our own world. Most importantly, the IATF does not attempt to replace any other models or applications; rather, it gives them all a clear place within an understandable meta-framework, one that provides a sort of universal addressing system. Said another way, the IATF does not supersede the ‘applications’ (such as scaled frameworks or leadership or culture models), rather it provides a map or addressing system within which all these applications have a place, and a clear relationship to each other. The Integral Agile Transformation Framework™ reveals each application’s inherent strengths, limitations, and what other apps might support it. It is neutral in the sense that it’s not biased to one approach, but accommodates and maps all equally. 

The first portion of the book is devoted to helping the Transformation Leader download this organizational operating system for their organization’s transformation efforts. The second portion of the book addresses the necessary upgrade to their own Leader’s Operating System (LOS), one that will allow to become an authentic Transformational Leader, one capable of actually leading such an organizational transformation.

Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
About the Authors xvii

Introduction: Why an Integral Perspective? 1
The Integral Operating System 2
How This Book Is Organized 4
Questions Addressed by This Book 6
Our Perspective (and Biases) 7

Part I: Agile Transformation: An Integral Approach 9

Chapter 1: The Holon: Fundamental Building Block of the Integral Framework 11
Organizational Complexity 11
Holons 13
Holons and Agile Transformations 20
Summary 23
From Insight to Action 23
Chapter Notes 24

Chapter 2: The Quadrants: The Four Fundamental Perspectives 25
Deconstructing the Four Perspectives 25
Quadrants in Agile Transformations 36
Summary 37
From Insight to Action 37
Chapter Notes 38

Chapter 3: Integral Altitudes: The Evolution of Complexity 39
Why Altitude Matters 40
The Integral Concept of Altitude 41
How Altitudes Show Up in Organizations 41
Corroborating Research on Altitude 52
Evolution Across Quadrants 56
Summary 62
From Insight to Action 63
Chapter Notes 63

Chapter 4: Lines of Development 65
Developmental Lines 65
From Insight to Action 68
Summary of Part I 68

Part II: Transformational Leadership: Upgrading the Leader's Operating System 71

Chapter 5: Transformational Leadership 75
The Context for Transformational Leadership 76
The Business Case for Transformational Leadership 82
The Essence of Transformational Leadership 84
Summary 89
From Insight to Action 89

Chapter 6: The Developmental Landscape 91
The Core of Development: Our Story 91
Deconstructing the Levels 95
Collective Leadership Development 102
Summary 103
From Insight to Action 103

Chapter 7: The Developmental Path 105
How Development Actually Happens 106
The Shift from Reactive to Creative 117
The Shift from Creative to Integral 119
Using the Integral Disciplines to Foster Development 120
Increasing Collective Effectiveness 122
Summary 123
From Insight to Action 123

Part III: Organizational Transformation: Putting the Integral Compass to Work 125

Chapter 8: The Integral Agile Transformation Framework: An Overview 127
How Do We Use the Map? 128
The IATF Quadrants 129
Integrating the Quadrant Perspectives 138
How Quadrants Look from Different Holons 142
Summary 149
From Insight to Action 149

Chapter 9: The Integral Disciplines: Focusing the Transformation 151
Integral Disciplines and Developmental Lines 151
IATF Integral Disciplines 153
Integral Disciplines Mapped to Developmental Lines 154
Summary 177
From Insight to Action 177
Chapter Notes 178

Chapter 10: Leading an Agile Transformation 179
How to Get Started 179
Transformational Leader Role and Competencies 180
Activating the Integral Disciplines 204
Summary 209
In Conclusion 209

References and Relevant Readings 211
Index 215