OpenSourceOD
Available on Desktop
Overview
Video Run Time: 4:08
Facilitation Time: 1hr 25m
In this immersive simulation, participants step into the complex and turbulent world of Community Forward, a non-profit organization dedicated to community development and social impact. Set against the backdrop of an unpredictable funding landscape and shifting community needs, the simulation explores how a a team learns to navigate organizational challenges and tensions while collaborating with community members who hold mixed feelings about their project.
This simulation highlights the complexities of change management, collaborative leadership, and resilience in non-profit organizations operating in uncertain environments. Participants are invited to engage deeply with the characters' dilemmas, reflect on their own assumptions, and experience firsthand what it means to lead in "whitewater" conditions—where uncertainty, ambiguity, and unpredictability are constant.
Permanent Whitewater as described by Peter Vaill in his work on organizational leadership and change, refers to the constant state of turbulence and unpredictability that organizations and individuals face in modern life. Unlike temporary crises or occasional disruptions, Permanent Whitewater signifies a world where uncertainty, complexity, and change are the norm, not the exception. Vaill emphasizes that this isn’t a temporary condition that will stabilize with time, but rather a persistent and ongoing reality that requires a fundamental shift in how we approach work, leadership, and learning.
Facilitation
Part 1
The simulation begins with a team meeting led by Martin, the Executive Director, where the team discusses the ambitious goals of a new sustainable housing project. Sara, the Director of Community Programs, shares her apprehension about the project’s uncertainty, and Candace expresses her concerns about the scope of work ahead. The team’s conversation reveals the mix of optimism and anxiety they feel as they prepare to move forward, despite not knowing how everything will unfold.
Starter Question:
"What do you observe, and how do you feel as a member of this ambitious project? How do you relate to the sense of uncertainty and anticipation described?"
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Follow-up Questions:
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"How does the team’s uncertainty about the project reflect the complexities you’ve experienced in your work? How do you typically navigate the unknown?"
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"What learning opportunities arise when you step into a project without a clear end in sight? How does this experience contribute to personal and organizational growth?"
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"How can you, as a leader or consultant, leverage the energy of both excitement and apprehension to drive innovation and positive change?"
Part 2
The team meets with a community member who expresses skepticism about the project’s impact and questions whether the team is truly listening to the voices of the community. Sara attempts to assure the community that their feedback is valued, while Candace acknowledges the complexity of the situation, and Martin highlights the team's commitment to learning from the community.
Starter Question:
"What does the team’s response reveal about their approach to uncertainty and complexity? Reflect on a time when you faced uncertainty. How did you navigate it?"
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Follow-up Questions:
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"How does the team’s commitment to listening and learning illustrate the concept of continuous feedback and adaptation? Can you recall a time when feedback significantly changed your approach?"
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"What role does vulnerability play in building trust within teams and communities? How has admitting uncertainty contributed to your own ability to build trust?"
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"How do small adaptations help manage larger uncertainties? Can you think of a time when being adaptable had a significant impact on the outcome of a project?"
Part 3
After receiving eye-opening feedback from the community, the team realizes their initial approach was misaligned with the community’s needs. Sara suggests breaking down the project into smaller, more manageable phases, allowing for continuous adjustment and learning as new information emerges. Candace, initially resistant, begins to appreciate the value of adaptability, while Martin agrees that a more flexible, phased approach will better serve the community.
Starter Question:
"How does adaptability play a role in managing complex projects? Can you think of a situation where adjusting your approach led to better outcomes?"
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Follow-up Questions:
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"How does the team’s decision to pivot reflect systems thinking? How have you seen the ripple effect of small changes in your own work?"
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"In what ways does embracing uncertainty and change help foster creativity and innovation? How can you cultivate a growth mindset when faced with unexpected challenges?"
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"How does revisiting and reassessing past decisions contribute to learning and better navigating future uncertainties?"
Part 4
Months later, the team reflects on their journey and the progress they’ve made. Martin expresses pride in how much they’ve learned and adapted along the way. Sara shares how engaging with the community has been transformative, while Candace, once resistant to change, acknowledges how flexibility has become a valuable tool for her in leading the project. The team feels a sense of accomplishment, having developed a deeper understanding of community needs and a more effective way of working together.
Starter Question:
"Reflect on the journey of Community Forward. What insights have you gained about working in complex and uncertain environments? How can these insights inform your approach to future challenges?"
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Follow-up Questions:
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"How does the team’s reflection on their progress demonstrate the value of learning from experience? How has reflection shaped your approach to managing challenges?"
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"What lessons about adaptability and collaboration can you take away from the team’s journey? How might these lessons influence the way you lead or contribute to projects in your own organization?"
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"How can the practice of continuous learning and reflection help you and your team navigate future ‘whitewater’ conditions more effectively?"
Purpose
The Community Forward simulation is designed to introduce participants to the challenges of navigating "permanent whitewater" conditions, as conceptualized by Peter Vaill, without explicitly mentioning the theory. Instead, through the experiences of the team and community members, participants will confront the realities of complexity, ambiguity, and the need for adaptive leadership.
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In Permanent Whitewater, there are no clear maps or easy solutions. Leaders can no longer rely on long-term strategic plans or the assumption that, with enough effort, things will return to a stable, predictable state. Instead, they must develop the capacity to navigate the unknown, learning to lead and adapt in real-time as new challenges arise.
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The simulation offers participants a chance to:
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Understand learning as a way of being: Participants will explore how continuous learning, reflection, and adaptation are necessary when working in uncertain and dynamic environments.
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Cultivate personal and organizational mastery: By following the characters' journeys, participants will learn how mastery is less about perfection and more about ongoing growth and resilience.
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Explore spirituality and meaning in work: The simulation will offer insights into how finding purpose in organizational missions can inspire resilience and drive meaningful action, especially in challenging environments.
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Apply systems thinking: Participants will learn how to approach problems holistically, recognizing the interconnectedness of decisions, feedback, and community needs.
Debrief
After engaging in the Community Forward case simulation, it is crucial to guide participants in connecting their experiences to the foundational concepts of navigating complexity and uncertainty, often referred to as "Permanent Whitewater." This debrief serves to integrate the emotional and intellectual insights gained during the immersive, helping participants understand how these lessons apply to real-world challenges in organizational life, particularly in the non-profit sector.​
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Continuous Learning through Uncertainty:
The team’s acknowledgment that they don’t have all the answers from the outset reflects a central tenet of navigating complexity—being open to learning in the face of uncertainty. As the team adapted to community feedback, they demonstrated that continuous learning is not just about acquiring new knowledge but also about staying flexible and responsive to change.
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Reflective Questions:
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“As you participated in the simulation, what moments made you question your assumptions? How did those moments shift your understanding of continuous learning in complex environments?"
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“How has this experience highlighted the importance of integrating feedback and reflection into your daily practice, both personally and organizationally?”
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Mastery Through Adaptation and Resilience:
Throughout the simulation, the team’s ability to pivot based on new information and challenges demonstrated resilience and commitment to continuous improvement. Mastery in this context wasn’t about having a perfect plan but about adapting to unforeseen obstacles and continuously striving for excellence in a turbulent environment.
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Reflective Questions:
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“What challenges in the simulation forced you to adapt your initial approach? How did this process contribute to your understanding of personal and organizational mastery?”
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“Reflect on a moment in the simulation where the team had to re-evaluate their strategy. How did this action reflect mastery as a commitment to continuous improvement, rather than perfection?”
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Finding Purpose in the Work:
The team at Community Forward was motivated not only by the logistics of building housing but by the larger purpose of creating a lasting social impact. This connection to a deeper sense of purpose, or spirituality, provided resilience, especially in moments of doubt or uncertainty. The team’s commitment to earning the community’s trust through action underscored how meaning-making can be a powerful tool for motivation and cohesion.
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Reflective Questions:
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“What aspects of the project connected you to a deeper sense of purpose or meaning? How did that connection impact your decisions and actions during the simulation?”
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“How can you cultivate a sense of meaning in your work, particularly when faced with challenges or resistance?”
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Seeing the Whole System:
The team’s decision to break the project into smaller phases after realizing their initial approach wasn’t working demonstrated systems thinking. By understanding the interconnectedness of their actions and the larger community, they were able to adapt their approach holistically, ensuring that their decisions considered the broader system of factors influencing the project's success.
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Reflective Questions:
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“At what point did you start thinking about how different parts of the project impacted each other? How did systems thinking help you navigate the complex dynamics at play?”
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“What key takeaways from this simulation can you apply to your approach to problem-solving in your own organization, especially when dealing with interconnected challenges?”
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Building Trust through Vulnerability and Action:
Throughout the simulation, the team grappled with balancing vulnerability—admitting they didn’t have all the answers—with the need to build trust with the community. By being open to feedback and adjusting their approach based on the community’s needs, the team demonstrated the critical role of collaboration and trust in leadership.
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Reflective Questions:
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“What role did vulnerability play in how the team built trust with the community? How does this compare to your experiences in leadership?”
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“How can you use moments of vulnerability or uncertainty to build stronger collaborative relationships in your work?”
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From Theory to Practice:
As participants reflect on the simulation’s journey, it’s important to think about how these lessons can be applied to their own work environments. The simulation demonstrated that adaptability, continuous learning, and systems thinking are essential for navigating complex, turbulent environments—whether in the non-profit sector or any other organizational setting.
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Reflective Questions:
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“What practical strategies will you take away from this simulation to better navigate complex, uncertain environments in your own organization?”
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“How will you integrate systems thinking and continuous learning into your decision-making processes moving forward?”
Resources
Email Invite
Set expectations for your participants with this email invitation.
Syllabus Snippet
Introduce the theoretical and practical benefits of this experiential learning tool. Copy, paste, and edit the following description into your course syllabus or workshop description.
Key Readings
Give discerning participants the chance to dive deep into the literature with these key readings.
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Certified Facilitators​
Dave Fearon
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Lisa Thomas
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"OD Immersives? They're how learning happens on the fly. Practice is moment by moment action in a situation. OD Immersives invite iterative learning. What should the main character do next? We facilitate participants pondering this and choosing a course of action."
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~ Dave Fearon
"I love being part of OD Immersives. They offer the opportunity for the constructive exchange of ideas, knowledge, and perspectives. Each participant emerges more informed, confident, and prepared to serve in whatever professional role they may be in."
~ Lisa Thomas