Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds

Chapter 12 continues the previous chapters’ emphasis on practicality by providing tools facilitators can apply in their work within the social justice space. The chapter is structured around four tools brown deems universal and that directly address the elements of emergent strategy.

The first universal tool, “Trust the People,” highlights the significance of trust in the facilitation process. For brown, trust should be established from the beginning, enabling participants to work collaboratively toward shared goals. This section provides practices for facilitators to build trust, namely: ensuring clear goals and communication, inviting only the people who are directly impacted by an issue or who can have the most impact dealing with it, actively listening, being flexible and adaptable, and fostering collective problem-solving.

The second universal tool, “Principles,” explores the power of shared principles in guiding the efforts of organizations and facilitators. brown uses examples such as Allied Media Projects (AMP) and the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing to illustrate the impact of a clear set of shared principles on organizational outcomes. This section emphasizes the importance of a common understanding of what matters and aligning actions with principles.

The third universal tool, “Protocols,” focuses on the practical implementation of an organization’s principles. brown describes protocols as the embodiment of principles and mentions the work of ally organizations like the Bay Area Solidarity Action Team (BASAT) and #Asians4BlackLives (A4BL) as examples of how protocols can provide clarity and support effective collaboration. The section also highlights the importance of group agreements as a protocol for facilitators.

The fourth universal tool, “Consensus,” explores decision-making processes that ensure agreement among participants. brown introduces tools borrowed from Autumn Meghan Brown, whom she interviewed on the same topic in Chapter 9, namely: proposal-based decisions, being honest about one’s level of agreement, and being clear about what work cannot be taken on. Consensus decision-making is presented as a way for groups to engage in thoughtful analysis and prioritize their actions.

The subsequent sections of the chapter delve into facilitation tools specific to the different elements of emergent strategy. These include tools for adaptation, which focus on strategic intentions and shared vision; nonlinear/iterative work, which involve flexible planning and reflective evaluation; interdependence and decentralization, which encompass study groups, agenda templates, and succession planning; fractal work, which entails personal practices and organizational alignment with vision; and transformative justice tools, namely conflict resolution prompts, peace circles, and mediation.

Overall, the last chapter underscores the importance of facilitation in the practice of emergent strategy. It provides a comprehensive range of tools and practices for facilitators to create spaces that foster collaboration, trust, and effective decision-making. The section on principles emphasizes the significance of aligning actions with shared values, while the sections on protocols and consensus provide practical guidance for implementing said principles. The subsequent sections highlight the diverse aspects of facilitation, including adaptability, nonlinear planning, interdependence, and transformative justice. By offering these tools and insights, brown empowers facilitators to create inclusive, responsive, and transformative spaces for collective action.

Throughout the book, brown consistently centers love as a guiding principle in all actions, and in the Outro, she reiterates this point. She describes emergent strategy as a work of love, highlighting its importance in driving transformative change. This reaffirms principles of emergent strategy which emphasize the significance of fostering authentic connections, trust, and compassion within communities and movements.

Lastly, brown expresses gratitude in the Outro and Thank You sections, acknowledging the support and contributions of friends, family, and colleagues who played a role in creating the book. The inclusion of a “soundtrack” in the Outro furthers the emotional and creative aspects of emergent strategy. By sharing a list of songs, brown provides a way for readers to engage with the book on a deeper level, encouraging them to explore the emotions and experiences that emerge from the ideas presented. Overall, brown uses the last sections of the book as a moment of reflection and appreciation. By acknowledging her role as a conduit for collective wisdom and expressing gratitude to those from whom she learned and who have supported her, brown reinforces the collaborative nature of emergent strategy and reinforces the importance of collective effort in community building and in effecting transformative and lasting change.