constellations EXERCISE (system mapping)

A map of a system or issue can reveal dynamics within it that might otherwise be hidden or invisible. A systemic map (or ‘constellation’) works from the belief that organisations are living systems subject to implicate ordering forces. Stuckness in these ordering forces causes issues. Becoming more attuned to the existence of these specific ordering forces enables a flow of energy, leadership and creativity in their corresponding organisational systems.

Clarify, Crystallise and Choose

What would be a good outcome?

What or who are the key elements involved?

What is the key issue you want to explore and what is the core question you are asking yourself about that issue?

What would be a GREAT outcome?

Coach may give a steer on what the ideal key elements should be on your map given they are more familiar with how to use systems mapping.

Identify a Significant Question or Breakthrough Question - place this at the centre of the Systemic Coaching map. The coaching when referring to this map will explore both the VISIBLE and INVISIBLE dimensions of the issue and the field to unlock the hitherto hidden creativity of individuals or the situation.

Layout

Layout the key elements in relationship to each other. Work instinctively when doing so - go with your gut. Pay attention to the direction you point each element in. Pay attention to the distance apart between each element. The closer they are the more aligned they are.

Explore and Embody

Explore what is currently the case when looking at the system. What do you notice? (direction/distance).

Notice where there is discomfort in the system.

Notice where there is disorder.

Notice where there is physically felt entanglement in your own body when you look at certain parts of the system or certain elements. What do you feel in your body? Where do you feel it?

Notice where you can see actual entanglement between the elements on the map.

Explore possibilities of what is needed to address each of these entanglements.

Align or Realign

Align or re-align the system.

Resource and Resolve

Move towards resolution of stuck points and a better resolution for all elements in the system - while attending to the resourcing of the different elements and to the whole system throughout.

step 1 - set up

Identify about 7 key systemic influences upon you or the system of which you are a part. These influences could be specific people, or departments or other organisations.

Include yourself as one of the influences.

Use directional post-its (triangle shaped) to represent each key influence or system and one to represent yourself. Write a word to identify what each post-it represents.

Place the directional post-it on a sheet of A5 or flip chart paper. Consider the following as you do this:

  1. How close or distant are these influences or systems to you now?

  2. What direction are they going in or facing?

Don’t over think or worry about getting it 100% right when positioning each of them.

When you have set them up, step back, take a couple of mindful breaths and imagine you are an eagle looking down from above: look at the whole.

  1. What strikes you?

  2. What overall patterns do you notice?

step 2 - noticing what matters

Try putting your finger on a post-it. As you do this, slow yourself down and notice your body sensations or current embodied experience.

Move around the map. Do the same thing with another post-it (up to 3-4 of them in total).

Note down any noticeable embodied sensations/experiences and any images or insights which arise.

step 2 - creating insights from this experience

Take 10 minutes:

What did you notice overall?

What patterns did you notice?

What was it like to look at the map from above?

What was it like putting your finger on specific post-its and connecting to how you reacted in your body/in your mind when doing that?

step 3 - make one move

Reconnect to your map.

If you could make one move (in line with your heart’s desire) - what would it be? The move may include moving one of the influences and/or adding an addtional post-it to represent some needed resource/support.

Make that move.

Notice what impact it has upon your body. What do you feel in your body when you make that move?

STEP 4 - KEY INSIGHTS AND TAKEAWAYS

Consider taking a photo of the map if you want to record and deepen the experience of the shift in energy in the whole mapped system and in you having completed this exercise.

This map photo may be referred back to in future coaching sessions.