Systems and structures are important components of the social and organizational networks. Whilst it plays an integral role to keep a group together and provide discipline, it can easily become the primary reason the group fails to adapt to changes and eventually can cause the groups' downfall.
In Sopranos the lead character Tony is told by his wife that he doesn't have true friends, and all of his friends are around him because of his position and power. She goes on to say that your friends even laugh at your jokes only because of your power. Tony then proceeds to check this, purposefully he shares a joke knowing fully well its not funny and to his surprises every one around him starts laughing. The scene is great example of how the system creates false positives to keep you in suspended disbelief and the comfort it can provide strays you away from self awareness.
Keith Richards in his autobiography talks about his moment when he questioned the system and started to rebel. He was a member of the school choir and was excused from strict class attendance requirements. Once he hit puberty the choir teacher ignored him and he got into trouble with the school due to low attendance. All of us have a moment where we question the system its rules and policies. We could rebel and get out of it or try and modify the system. So how do we change the system for the better.
As I was reading the book American Prometheus there are many layers of the character Oppenheimer that spoke to me. One key aspect was his ability to make effective change, while still being part of the system. There is a chapter where he has to give consent, albeit unwillingly, to use the bomb in war. There are several moments in the book where he has to balance between the rules of the military system and his passion for physics.
A leader I used to work for was exceptionally passionate and aggressive in his approach to effect change and I loved working for him. As he grew in the organization I started seeing him making compromises and with my limited knowledge I thought he was aligning with the system, but over the years I am understanding that he was answering the question, whats the one positive change I've been able to effect rather than trying to completely change the system.
A2 is a graffiti artist in Paris. They stand for Love and Anarchy. Changing systems needs a bit of Anarchy but also lot of love and the key is the balance.
