Peakinsight Newsletter (Number 2)

Peakinsight News, Fall 2003 (Number 2)
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Peakinsight News, Fall 2003 (Number 2)

IN THIS ISSUE:
1) People changing their world: Gunter Pauli
2) Using assessment and coaching to build innovation capacity
3) Upcoming events
4) Hot off the press
5) Quotes to spark imagination and action

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1) People changing their world¬: Gunter Pauli (by Katherine Holt)
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Last fall Gunter Pauli spoke at the Omega "One Earth" Summit in New York. His remarks about waste struck a resonant chord. I had already formulated an Ecosophy for Peakinsight that involved getting rid of toxicity and waste in organizations. His comments pushed me to take my thinking to the next level. Over the past year I have gotten certified as a ZERI practitioner in order to bring some of GunterÍs "no waste" principles into organizations. I want to share a little bit about GunterÍs story with Peakinsight readers.

Gunter Pauli presided over EuropeÍs first phosphate-free detergent business called Ecover from 1991-1993. He relaunched the nearly bankrupt company, constructed a "green" building made out of wood with a large grass roof and implemented many innovations. However, when Gunter investigated how their raw materials were sourced, he was horrified to learn that their successful business model was creating real problems elsewhere (e.g., generating enormous waste and destroying the rainforest habitat for orangutans).

He recalls that "One day I hit a brick wall and realized that the extracts my company was using represented less than 5% of the total biomass generated by the palm and coconut plantations that produced the oils. While I may have made a marginal contribution to reducing the contamination of detergents in a few European rivers, I had to accept responsibility for massive amounts of waste, generated through my demand for this biodegradable surfactant. Most of the waste was simply incinerated. I just did not know. I was a Homo non sapiens. I concluded that I could only be a real pioneer if I found a way of using all the biomass, not just the 5% of immediate interest to my industry, but also the 95% waste."

In 1994, Gunter established an organization called "Zero Waste and Emissions Research and Initiatives." The acronym was later shortened to ZERI, but "zero waste" remains a central principle. Gunter believes that the practice of zero waste and emissions will be indispensable if we want to get to real sustainability. He feels that we canÍt wait - that we can only succeed by starting projects and experimenting as fast as we can. He recognizes that everything must be done locally and decided that there would be no ZERI headquarters.

Gunter counts Lester Brown, Fritjof Capra, Bruno Kreisky, Arne Naess, Aurelio Peccei, Noemi Sanin Posada and Elie Wiesel among his mentors. All have a deep, profound sense of values that inspire and drive their action. They taught him things like:
- Embrace your enemy at all times.
- When a friend is in danger, go to help.
- Take opportunities to use your personal influence to react and make a difference personally.
- Persevere against all odds, and keep smiling.

Elie Wiesel taught him that if there is injustice to one person in the world, that injustice should become the center of the worldÍs attention; if there is injustice, you have to act. You must bring people together and learn how to talk with the enemy. Now Gunter brings multiple stakeholders together to focus on ZERO emissions.

Noemi Sanin Posada illuminated the importance of speaking for the minorities, creating a voice for the oppressed, keeping the light clear and risking our lives all the time if necessary. Now Gunter proceeds to "just do it," whatever the perceived risk is. He says there is no excuse for not implementing.

Fritjof Capra donated time and generosity. He modeled curiosity for new ideas, self-effacement and interconnectedness. His revolutionary integrative paradigm helped Gunter to understand autopoesis. Now Gunter is taking interconnectedness to a new level with his ZERI network of practitioners and projects.

Arne Naess emphasized the need for connecting with people where they live in order to understand their situation. He grounded his "deep ecology" philosophy in an experiential modality. He emphasized that sustainability is not only for humanity, it is for all living species on Earth. Gunter learned the importance of responding to local needs with whatÍs available locally.

Lester Brown modeled the capacity to get data together plus inviting ideas and questions (e.g., "How would it look like?"). He promotes and facilitates access to information. He quantifies what has gone on in the world, yet maintains a hopeful attitude. Now Gunter is building a network of research scientists and practitioners to ask and answer new questions.

Aurelio Peccei demonstrated a blind confidence in people. He included diverse people in informal gatherings and built networks. With him there were no age limits to learning and participation. Now Gunter is especially attuned to young people. He responds when they invite him to participate and vice versa.

Bruno Kreisky took a stand for the vulnerable people in society. He sought to promote full employment, all the time; he wanted to ensure that there would always be opportunities for people to get a job. He modeled accessibility and capacity to comment. Now Gunter demonstrates the same kind of personal accessibility.

Gunter exemplifies a deep, profound sense of values much like his mentors. He puts his beliefs into action. Moreover, he serves as an "enzyme" who catalyzes values-based action in others. I am proud to count Gunter as one of my mentors.

Plans are underway for Gunter to provide the opening keynote address at PeakinsightÍs first annual conference in 2004. It will be held October 29-31 in Durango, Colorado. Please visit the Events section of our website if you are interested in speaking or conducting a workshop at the conference.

For more information about Gunter Pauli and ZERI, visit www.zeri.org.

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2) Using assessment and coaching to build innovation capacity
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Katherine Holt spoke about "Using Assessment and Coaching to Build Innovation Capacity" at DDIÍs International Assessment Congress on September 30.

A PDF of this presentation can be downloaded from the Resources section of our website. Or you can send an email to Katherine@peakinsight.com to request a copy. Call Katherine at 970-247-1180 if you are interested in having her consult with your organization on how to build innovation capacity.

ASTD published "Innovation at Work" as part of their Info-line series in March, 2003. Please visit www.astd.org if you want to order a copy. You can also download "Innovation Resources" (a supplemental PDF) from the Resources section of our website for more information about innovation assessments and coaching resources.

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3) Upcoming events
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WEEKEND SAMPLERS: Coaching work-outs
People who are interested in learning more about coaching innovation and change in organizations are welcome to attend these samplers. Each session will be limited to a maximum of 5 participants. Experienced coaches are especially welcome. All sessions will be held at The Ranch, located 10 miles north of Durango, Colorado.
Jan. 10-11, 2004: Peakinsight Sampler
Feb. 7-8, 2004: Innovation Horizons Sampler
For more information, send email to weekend@peakinsight.com or visit our website.

COACHING SAMPLERS
Complete Innovation Horizons» 360 and receive a complimentary feedback and coaching session.
Ask about special introductory pricing for groups.
Send email to Katherine@peakinsight.com or call 970-247-1180 for information.

CERTIFICATION for Innovation Coaches
January 7-9, 2004 and March 3-5 in Durango, Colorado
Send email to Katherine@peakinsight.com or call 970-247-1180 for information.

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4) Hot off the press
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Bacon, Terry R. & Spear, Karen (2003). Adaptive Coaching: The art and practice of a client-centered approach to performance improvement. Palo Alto: Davies-Black.
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Cooperrider, David L., Whitney, Diana & Stavros, Jacqueline M. (2003). Appreciative Inquiry Handbook: The first in a series of AI workbooks for leaders of change. Bedford Heights, OH: Lakeshore.
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Kirton, Michael J. (2003). Adaption-Innovation in the Context of Change and Diversity. London: Routledge.
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5) Quotes to spark imagination and action
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"Yes, I know it is impossible. Therefore it will take a little longer." - Paolo Lugari

"There are no great people in this world, only great challenges which ordinary people rise to meet." ¿ William Frederick Halsey, Jr.

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Contact Information:
katherine@peakinsight.com
Phone: 1-970-247-1180

Copyright 2003 Peakinsight LLC. All rights reserved.

Peakinsight permits reproduction of the contents of the Peakinsight Newsletter for publicity and promotional purposes. Peakinsight¬ and People Changing Their World¬ are registered trademarks of Peakinsight LLC of Durango, Colorado. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither a recommendation nor an endorsement.