My PPT file of quotes from Margaret Wheatley's excellent and highly-recommended book, A Simpler Way.

1. A Simpler WayA Simpler Way
Excerpts from the book byExcerpts from the book by
Margaret Wheatley &Margaret Wheatley &
Myron Kellner-RogersMyron Kellner-Rogers

2. an invitationan invitation
We want life to be less arduous and more delightful.We want life to be less arduous and more delightful.
We want to be able to think differently about how toWe want to be able to think differently about how to
organize human activities. (1)organize human activities. (1)
We are essential to each other’s inquiry. (2)We are essential to each other’s inquiry. (2)
. . . If we can know our beliefs, we can then act with. . . If we can know our beliefs, we can then act with
greater consciousness about our behaviors. (2)greater consciousness about our behaviors. (2)

3. Here are our present beliefs about human organizations and the world into whichHere are our present beliefs about human organizations and the world into which
they come into form:they come into form:
The universe is a living, creative, experimenting experience of discoveringThe universe is a living, creative, experimenting experience of discovering
what’s possible at all levels of scale, from microbe to cosmos.what’s possible at all levels of scale, from microbe to cosmos.
Life’s natural tendency is to organize. Life organizes into greater levels ofLife’s natural tendency is to organize. Life organizes into greater levels of
complexity to support more diversity and greater sustainability.complexity to support more diversity and greater sustainability.
Life organizes around a self. Organizing is always an act of creating anLife organizes around a self. Organizing is always an act of creating an
identity.identity.
Life self-organizes. Networks, patterns, and structures emerge withoutLife self-organizes. Networks, patterns, and structures emerge without
external imposition or direction. Organization wants to happen.external imposition or direction. Organization wants to happen.
People are intelligent, creative, adaptive, self-organizing, and meaning-People are intelligent, creative, adaptive, self-organizing, and meaning-
seeking.seeking.
Organizations are living systems. They too are intelligent, creative,Organizations are living systems. They too are intelligent, creative,
adaptive, self-organizing, and meaning-seeking.adaptive, self-organizing, and meaning-seeking.
pg. 3pg. 3

4. a simpler waya simpler way
There is a simpler way to organize humanThere is a simpler way to organize human
endeavor. It requires a new way of being in theendeavor. It requires a new way of being in the
world. It requires being in the world without fear.world. It requires being in the world without fear.
Being in the world with play and creativity. SeekingBeing in the world with play and creativity. Seeking
after what’s possible. Being willing to learn and toafter what’s possible. Being willing to learn and to
be surprised.be surprised.
It asks us to be less serious, yet more purposeful,It asks us to be less serious, yet more purposeful,
about our work and our lives. It does not separateabout our work and our lives. It does not separate
play from the nature of being.play from the nature of being. pg. 5pg. 5

5. The world of a simpler way is a world we already know.The world of a simpler way is a world we already know.
We were taught to see the world as a great machine.We were taught to see the world as a great machine.
Because we could not find ourselves in the machine world weBecause we could not find ourselves in the machine world we
had created in thought, we experienced the world as foreignhad created in thought, we experienced the world as foreign
and fearsome. Alienation spawned the need to dominate.and fearsome. Alienation spawned the need to dominate.
Fear led to control.Fear led to control.
But the world is not a machine.But the world is not a machine.
This world of a simpler way has a natural and spontaneousThis world of a simpler way has a natural and spontaneous
tendency toward organization. It seeks order. Whatevertendency toward organization. It seeks order. Whatever
chaos is present at the start, when elements combine,chaos is present at the start, when elements combine,
systems of organization appear. Life is attracted to order –systems of organization appear. Life is attracted to order –
order gained through wandering explorations into neworder gained through wandering explorations into new
relationships and new possibilities.relationships and new possibilities. pg. 6pg. 6

6. The world supports our efforts more than we could haveThe world supports our efforts more than we could have
hoped. We can create, experiment, organize, fail,hoped. We can create, experiment, organize, fail,
accomplish, play, learn, create again.accomplish, play, learn, create again.
It is we humans, says physicist Ilya Prigogine, who are “theIt is we humans, says physicist Ilya Prigogine, who are “the
most striking realization of the basic laws of nature.”most striking realization of the basic laws of nature.”
If we can be in the world in the fullness of our humanity, whatIf we can be in the world in the fullness of our humanity, what
are we capable of?are we capable of?
Who could we be if we found a simpler way?Who could we be if we found a simpler way?
pg. 7pg. 7

7. At least since Darwin, Western culture hasAt least since Darwin, Western culture has
harbored some great errors. We have believedharbored some great errors. We have believed
that the world is hostile. . . That the consequencethat the world is hostile. . . That the consequence
of error is death. . . . Who wouldn’t be afraid?of error is death. . . . Who wouldn’t be afraid?
Life is about invention, not survival. We are here toLife is about invention, not survival. We are here to
create, not to defend.create, not to defend.
. . . A wholly different world appears. A world that. . . A wholly different world appears. A world that
delights in its explorations. A world that makes itdelights in its explorations. A world that makes it
up as it goes along. A world that welcomes us intoup as it goes along. A world that welcomes us into
the exploration as good partners.the exploration as good partners. pg. 12pg. 12

8. The key elements . . . Are evident in recent work by scientists thatThe key elements . . . Are evident in recent work by scientists that
explore how life comes into being.explore how life comes into being.
Everything is in a constant process of discovery and creating.Everything is in a constant process of discovery and creating.
Life uses messes to get to well-ordered solutions.Life uses messes to get to well-ordered solutions.
Life is intent on finding what works, not what’s “right.”Life is intent on finding what works, not what’s “right.”
Life creates more possibilities as it engages with opportunities.Life creates more possibilities as it engages with opportunities.
Life is attracted to orderLife is attracted to order
Life organizes around identityLife organizes around identity
Everything participates in the creation and evolution of its neighborsEverything participates in the creation and evolution of its neighbors
pg. 14pg. 14
playplay

9. These activities are cloaked in terror. What if we don’t findThese activities are cloaked in terror. What if we don’t find
it? What if we get it wrong? What if someone else finds itit? What if we get it wrong? What if someone else finds it
before we do? Extinction will follow swiftly on the heels ofbefore we do? Extinction will follow swiftly on the heels of
any mistake. This fear of error seems the darkest ofany mistake. This fear of error seems the darkest of
Darwinian shadows.Darwinian shadows.
When errors hold so much peril, play disappears. CreativityWhen errors hold so much peril, play disappears. Creativity
ceases. Only fear and struggle persist. Paradoxically, weceases. Only fear and struggle persist. Paradoxically, we
make greater errors.make greater errors.
We say to one another, “get it right the first time.” How canWe say to one another, “get it right the first time.” How can
we live with so much fear?we live with so much fear?
pg. 15pg. 15

10. There is no such thing as survival of the fittest, onlyThere is no such thing as survival of the fittest, only
survival of the fit. This means that there is no onesurvival of the fit. This means that there is no one
answer that is right, but many answers that mightanswer that is right, but many answers that might
work.work.
. . . because life has only these simple criteria:. . . because life has only these simple criteria:
Whatever you become, make sure you can surviveWhatever you become, make sure you can survive
and reproduce. . . . Given so much freedom,and reproduce. . . . Given so much freedom,
organisms take off . . . Exploring what’s possible.organisms take off . . . Exploring what’s possible.
Yet we have terrorized ourselves. . . into positionsYet we have terrorized ourselves. . . into positions
of paralyzing conformity for fear of getting thingsof paralyzing conformity for fear of getting things
wrong.wrong. pg. 16pg. 16

11. Tinkering opens us to what’s possible in theTinkering opens us to what’s possible in the
moment. Analytic plans drive us only toward whatmoment. Analytic plans drive us only toward what
we think we already know.we think we already know.
But life’s tinkering has direction. It tinkers towardsBut life’s tinkering has direction. It tinkers towards
order – towards systems that are more complexorder – towards systems that are more complex
and more effective. The process used isand more effective. The process used is
exploratory and messy, but the movement isexploratory and messy, but the movement is
toward order.toward order.
pg. 17pg. 17

12. In a universe where the desire to experiment and toIn a universe where the desire to experiment and to
create is so inescapable, it seems important to ask why.create is so inescapable, it seems important to ask why.
Why are novelty and experimentation so encouraged?Why are novelty and experimentation so encouraged?
Why does life seek to organize with other life?Why does life seek to organize with other life?
When living beings link together, they form systems thatWhen living beings link together, they form systems that
create more possibilities, more freedom for individuals.create more possibilities, more freedom for individuals.
This is why life organizes, why life seeks systems – soThis is why life organizes, why life seeks systems – so
that more may flourish.that more may flourish.
pg. 19pg. 19

13. organizing as playorganizing as play
Can we bring this creative play of the world into our lives inCan we bring this creative play of the world into our lives in
organizations?organizations?
Life isn’t concealing solutions to problems; we’re not beingLife isn’t concealing solutions to problems; we’re not being
tested to see if we get the right answer. Instead, life istested to see if we get the right answer. Instead, life is
exploring to see what works, to experience the pleasure ofexploring to see what works, to experience the pleasure of
the unexpected or unique.the unexpected or unique.
When did we become so unforgiving and so punishing ofWhen did we become so unforgiving and so punishing of
one another’s explorations? Experimentation doesn’t use upone another’s explorations? Experimentation doesn’t use up
possibilities; it creates more. More information, morepossibilities; it creates more. More information, more
experiences, more insights. pexperiences, more insights. pg. 20g. 20

14. . . . If we focused on discovering pretty good solutions that. . . If we focused on discovering pretty good solutions that
worked for now . . . . With none bidding for support as theworked for now . . . . With none bidding for support as the
ultimate right answer, we might feel less attached . . . .ultimate right answer, we might feel less attached . . . .
If these solutions did not require such enormousIf these solutions did not require such enormous
investments of resources, egos, and certainties, we couldinvestments of resources, egos, and certainties, we could
abandon them sooner when they stopped working. Peopleabandon them sooner when they stopped working. People
could feel freer to respond creatively to the flow of eventscould feel freer to respond creatively to the flow of events
and demands . . .and demands . . .
Agility and the freedom to be creative are more likely whenAgility and the freedom to be creative are more likely when
we focus on what works rather than what’s right.we focus on what works rather than what’s right.
Discovering what works in the particular universe of anyDiscovering what works in the particular universe of any
organization is the task of everyone in that organization.organization is the task of everyone in that organization.
pg. 22pg. 22

15. [When all of us are working together in parallel] the[When all of us are working together in parallel] the
systems are not afraid of error. Errors aresystems are not afraid of error. Errors are
expected, explored, welcomed. More errors createexpected, explored, welcomed. More errors create
more information that results in a greater capacitymore information that results in a greater capacity
to solve problems.to solve problems.
pg. 23pg. 23

16. . . . Continuously exploring systems bent on. . . Continuously exploring systems bent on
discovering what works. . . Involve manydiscovering what works. . . Involve many
individuals, encourage discoveries, and moveindividuals, encourage discoveries, and move
quickly past mistakes. They are learning all thequickly past mistakes. They are learning all the
time, engaging everyone in finding what works.time, engaging everyone in finding what works.
The system succeeds because it involves manyThe system succeeds because it involves many
tinkerers focused on figuring out what’s possible.tinkerers focused on figuring out what’s possible.
Could we begin to appreciate that this kind ofCould we begin to appreciate that this kind of
tinkering is efficient? Tinkerers make do withtinkering is efficient? Tinkerers make do with
what is available, most often acting with fewerwhat is available, most often acting with fewer
resources than desired.resources than desired.
pg. 25pg. 25

17. Playful tinkering requires consciousness. If wePlayful tinkering requires consciousness. If we
are not mindful, if our attention slips, then weare not mindful, if our attention slips, then we
can’t notice what’s available, or discover what’scan’t notice what’s available, or discover what’s
possible. Staying present is the discipline of play.possible. Staying present is the discipline of play.
Great focus and concentration are required. WeGreat focus and concentration are required. We
need to stay aware of everything that’sneed to stay aware of everything that’s
happening as it is happening, and to respondhappening as it is happening, and to respond
with minimal hesitation.with minimal hesitation.
Playful enterprises are alert. They are open toPlayful enterprises are alert. They are open to
information, always seeking more, yearning forinformation, always seeking more, yearning for
surprises.surprises. pg. 25pg. 25

18. Why does life choose complex relationships, dense websWhy does life choose complex relationships, dense webs
that cannot be disentangled? Why hasn’t life chosen simplethat cannot be disentangled? Why hasn’t life chosen simple
relationships, or individuals?relationships, or individuals?
Life seeks to organize so that more life can flourish.Life seeks to organize so that more life can flourish.
Systems . . . . Provide support and stability. They alsoSystems . . . . Provide support and stability. They also
provide more freedom for individual experimentation.provide more freedom for individual experimentation.
When individuals fail to experiment. . .the system. . . sinksWhen individuals fail to experiment. . .the system. . . sinks
into the death grip of equilibrium. It no longer participates ininto the death grip of equilibrium. It no longer participates in
co-evolution. The system becomes vulnerable; itsco-evolution. The system becomes vulnerable; its
destruction is self-imposed.destruction is self-imposed.
Life requires that we change.Life requires that we change.
pg. 33pg. 33

19. organization as organizingorganization as organizing
. . .how many of us live and work in organizations that fulfill. . .how many of us live and work in organizations that fulfill
our desires? How many of us feel supported in our needour desires? How many of us feel supported in our need
to connect and to create? Our organizations rarely reflectto connect and to create? Our organizations rarely reflect
our need for meaning, connection, and growth.our need for meaning, connection, and growth.
Yet. . .we notice one another, we see a need which callsYet. . .we notice one another, we see a need which calls
us to respond, and we organize.us to respond, and we organize.
Can organizations learn how to support us as self-Can organizations learn how to support us as self-
organizing?organizing?
pg. 36pg. 36

20. Life always organizes as networks of relationships. . . . As weLife always organizes as networks of relationships. . . . As we
organize, we need to keep inquiring into the quality of ourorganize, we need to keep inquiring into the quality of our
relationships. How much access do we have to one another?relationships. How much access do we have to one another?
How much trust exists among us? Who else needs to be inHow much trust exists among us? Who else needs to be in
the room?the room?
We do know that in healthy human systems people supportWe do know that in healthy human systems people support
one another with information and nurture one another withone another with information and nurture one another with
trust. Our . . . abilities to self-organize are encouraged bytrust. Our . . . abilities to self-organize are encouraged by
openness.openness.
With access to our system, we, like all life, can anticipateWith access to our system, we, like all life, can anticipate
what is required of us, connect with those we need, andwhat is required of us, connect with those we need, and
respond intelligently.respond intelligently.
pg. 39pg. 39