Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds

In Chapter 9, interviews with Autumn Meghan Brown, Jodie Tonita, and Dani McClain provide insights into varied applications of emergent strategy. Bringing in other expert voices is a way brown employs ethos, creating credibility by highlighting others who share her viewpoint. While Jodie Tonita speaks of her work in leadership facilitation and training, a topic brown covers in previous chapters, Autumn Megan Brown and Dani McClain dive into their work on consensus decision-making and meditation, which brown discusses in Chapters 10 and 11, respectively.

Autumn’s discussion of consensus work highlights the transformative nature of emergent strategy, where hierarchies are not eliminated but rather reimagined, in alignment with nonlinear and adaptable principles. Similarly, Jodie’s emphasis on the collaborative network as a support system for leaders resonates with the idea of interdependence within emergent strategy. Jodie’s recognition of the challenges faced by marginalized communities in Canada reinforces the need for centering marginalized communities’ voices and experiences, a key aspect of emergent strategy’s focus on equity and justice. Incorporating a non-American voice also points to the broad application of emergent strategy. Dani McClain’s perspective on mindfulness and meditation adds a dimension of personal growth and introspection within the context of social change. This aligns with emergent strategy’s emphasis on individual transformation and the importance of self-reflection in navigating complex systems. Overall, the interviews cover some of the elements mentioned in the previous chapters and demonstrate how emergent strategy principles can be used in different lines of work in the community organizing field.

Chapter 10 offers practical tools for self-reflection and evaluation, encouraging readers to begin implementing brown’s ideas in their own lives. The seven-question assessment prompts readers to dive deeper into their own practice. By answering the questions, alone or as part of a group activity, individuals are encouraged to critically assess their alignment with the core values and principles of emergent strategy and identify areas for growth. This process of introspection can inspire a heightened awareness and serve as a guide for individuals to explore and deepen their understanding of each principle and its application in their lives and organizing efforts. This section roots Emergent Strategy more deeply in the self-help genre as opposed to simply being a book on theory.

Chapter 11 presents five practice sites for emergent strategy and details brown’s experience in each one. These practices, ranging from personal relationships to artistic expression and mindfulness, provide individuals with diverse avenues for embracing emergent strategy. Friendships and “woes,” a word brown uses for support systems of like-minded people, provide support and growth and allow individuals to embody emergent strategy principles in their personal lives. Another practice emphasized is reading visionary fiction, a term coined by Walidah Imarisha for speculative fiction that envisions new worlds rooted in social justice. brown asserts that visionary fiction allows individuals to tap into their creative capacities to inspire and manifest.

Meditation and somatics are two other sites brown links with building inner resilience and intentional focus. By deliberately choosing where their attention goes, individuals can cultivate mental clarity and strengthen their ability to engage with what truly matters. They offer a space for self-reflection, and through regular practice, individuals can increase their capacity to respond thoughtfully to challenges and align their actions with emergent strategy principles. Meditation invites a routine of centering mindfulness, while generative somatics, a field that integrates mind, body, and movement to address social justice and invoke trauma healing, emphasizes an embodied experience through practices such as aikido, martial arts, and physical training. Both practices build on the link between the personal and the collective and enable individuals to promote social transformation through individual transformation. As with Chapter 10, this chapter’s focus on concrete steps and practices roots the book more deeply in the self-help genre.

Lastly, brown asserts that social media, contrary to the negative aspects commonly associated with it, has the potential to foster intimate bonds through accountability and support. brown shares her experiences of engaging with online communities focused on addiction recovery and self-love. In outlets such as Facebook groups and Instagram posts, brown could find support, share her journey, and celebrate her and other participants’ victories. Social media has the potential to be a space for connection and empowerment, offering opportunities for personal growth and embodying emergent strategy principles in a digital context. Social media also provides alternative modes for connection and collaboration for those who have trouble meeting in person, such as people with disabilities or those who don’t live near like-minded activists.

The poems included in Chapter 11, or “spells” as brown calls them, both speak of introspection and soul-searching and allude to the potential for collective empowerment through personal growth. “Stop Hating: A Spell” explores self-reflection and the importance of examining one’s thoughts and actions. It advocates for uprooting negative attitudes and questioning the motives behind ill-natured behavior. By acknowledging the need to let go and love oneself more, the poem highlights the significance of personal growth and introspection as foundational elements in the practice of emergent strategy. It suggests that to engage in transformative and collaborative efforts, individuals must first address their own biases and cultivate a sense of self-awareness. Similarly, “Authenticity Chant” encourages individuals to let go of posturing, pretense, and societal pressures and instead embrace their true selves. It emphasizes authenticity and genuine expression, as well as the importance of being true to one’s own desires, values, and passions rather than conforming to external expectations.