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Sociocracy
Sociocracy is a dynamic, ethical and sustainable mode of governance which overtakes and includes preceding models of governance (autocracy, democracy, participative democracy).
It is “an approach that mobilises the collective intelligence of all members of an organisation, ensuring a decision making dealing with objections guaranteeing optimal efficiency” (Fabien Chabreuil) and a “continuing education programme on freedom and responsibility” (Gilles Charest).
This approach was inspired in particular by cybernetics, the systemic approach and the ideas of Kees Boeke; it was outlined and applied for the first time by Gérard Endenburg in his business Endenburg Elektrotechnik in the Netherlands from around 1968-1970/the late 1960s to the present day.
The application of four basic principles of sociocracy (circular structure, decison making by consent, double links between circles, sociocratic election without candidate) has very directly helped the company to come through the crises of this period and to avoid redundancies.
Today, more and more organisations, especially in the Netherlands, Canada, Belgium and France, are turning to this model.
The advantages of Sociocracy:
Sociocracy allows moving towards:
For your organisation:
– Greater efficiency
– Better faster and more decentralised decision making,
– More savings, more profits
– More harmony, more cohesion
– Greater creativity, better problem solving
– More transparency
– Better adaptation to change
For the individuals within your organisation:
– Greater respect
– Increased confidence
– Greater sense of belonging
– Better quality of work
– More personal investment, higher motivaton
– Greater self-esteem
– Better health
Sociocracy allows movement on the following points:
For your organisation:
– Less tensions
– Reduced costs
– Less numerous and ineffective meetings
– Less holding of information
– Less criminal acts
For the individuals in your organisation :
– Less suffering at work
– Less stress
– Less frustration
– Less absenteeism
– Less inefficiency
The implementaton of sociocracy
Trained in sociocracy both by Patricia and Fabien Chabreuil (Ideodynamic) and by Gilles Charest (Sociogest), Integral Togetherness, itself or with its partners, can guide your organisation on implementing sociocracy.
In the meantime … Take the first steps:
Sharon Villines, practitioner and teacher of sociocracy suggests eight acquired behaviours to establish the first steps towards sociocracy:
– Systematically seek consent before decisions
– Go round the group giving each the chance to speak in turn
– Ensure that the organisation be represented by two people when they meet another organisation
– Define the necessary competences before giving anyone a role
– Solicit the expression of problems and objections
– Systematically measure the results of completed activities
– Take responsibility and promote self-management
– Support self-development and encourage everyone to do the same