Exploring Patterns
Patterns are very difficult to see. We need to train our minds to look for them … and then, over time, see them.
By including a Patterns Noticed practice, right from the beginning, you’ll encourage that training. (Or strengthen it, if you are already good at pattern thinking.)
Knowledge Flow is all about noticing patterns. So we begin this practice in Chapter Two, by detecting delusions. (But you can focus on any pattern that arises.)
Don’t worry about trying to fix them. (That’s a quick way to get entangled.) For now, just try to capture patterns in motion, and consider ways they might be impacting your experiences.
1. Create a Patterns table
Include columns like:
- Patterns: What pattern did you notice?
- Feel free to choose from the Six Dominant Delusions (even add a dropdown)
- Where I see it: in yourself, in your organization, in a system
- How it shows up: what was the context and what exactly did you notice?
- What it impacts: what was disrupted? Your ability to do something well, learn, adapt, deliver, connect?
- Alternative: what else would have helped — what would you like to try?
- Confidence: how confident are you that you understand what you are seeing?
Example Patterns Table ->
2. Identify real-life examples
Here are some questions that might help you spot dominant delusions:
- Where do I see “knowledge = control”?
- Where do we pretend linear certainty exists?
- Where signals are ignored because they’re inconvenient or slow us down?
- What changes do I see people avoid making?
- What do we reward that reinforces a delusion?
Even spotting one example is progress.
3. Try this for a week (or two)
For a week (or three), spend time at the end of each day taking note of patterns. Anything that arose that day, add it to your list. It’s fine if the pattern is personal (most are).
The goal isn’t to Shift the Dominant Paradigm in a week (or a month) … it’s simply to notice what you might not be noticing already.
