Frequently Asked Questions About HSD Institute

Why is there a need for HSD Institute?

During the past 15 years, researchers and practitioners have investigated chaos and complexity theories and applied their learnings to theory and practice in organizations. These investigations have been quite diverse, building from the wide variety of scientific and mathematical disciplines that deal with the behavior of nonlinear dynamical systems and making use of a variety of organization development and management approaches that are common in the field. 

Researchers continue to focus on tools and techniques that are appropriate in various contexts. Practitioners explore specific applications of the theory to practice. Much of this exciting work has taken place in isolation from other researchers and practitioners. Many potentially useful threads are being spun, but there is currently no loom that allows the threads to weave themselves into coherent and useful patterns. The result is a field that is rich in diversity but weak in coherence. 

A goal of HSD Institute is to establish the conditions that will allow these divergent threads to self-organize into a more coherent, though no less varied, field of study and practice. Based on one field of research in complexity - the Eoyang CDE Model for conditions of self-organizing in human systems - three conditions set the speed, path, and outcome of such emergent processes: 

C:  the container holds a system together as its parts interact to form system-wide patterns.

D: the significant differences within the container focus the resources of the system and establish the emerging patterns.

E:  exchanges among the agents within the container allow for individual and system-wide evolution of new learnings and patterns. 

HSD Institute uses these three conditions to facilitate the development of a coherent grounding of the theory and practice of nonlinear dynamics in human systems. The website, events, and publications provide a container,where conversations, dialogues, and training (exchanges) among the theorists and practitioners (differences) within those settings allow for self-organization into a richer, more viable field of study. 

How can I learn more about HSD?

Human systems dynamics is an emerging field, so the best way to learn about it is to connect with those who are working to develop related theory and practice. HSD Institute was designed to bring people together into generative conversations about how lessons from complexity and chaos theory can inform innovative practice and theory in human systems. Join the conversation:

How do I become a member of the Institute?

Members of HSD Institute are those who have completed the HSDP certification training program; graduates earn the designation of HSDP, and become members of the Network of Associates. There is no membership fee. Associates are asked to consider the way they have used HSD to inform their work, and contribute 5% of that benefit to the Institute to support the ongoing work of the Network. Some benefits of being an HSDP Associate:

  • Become part of a life-long community of learners and practitioners
  • Access to on-line Associates-only community – opportunity to collaborate with other HSD Associates
  • Invitation to serve as a Teaching Associate for HSDP certification trainings and attend at no cost
  • Opportunity to offer HSD consulting
  • 10% discount on HSD Institute products (webinars, books, workbooks, in-house training)
  • 50% discount on HSD educational opportunities (Intro to HSD, attend additional certification training)
  • Opportunities for shadow consulting and internship arrangements 
  • Various advanced cohort sessions provided at cost of expenses (2007 cost was $150)
  • Introduction to HSD Associates – networking and business opportunities 

Your participation in HSD Institute also gives you the potential to contribute to the development of the field of human systems dynamics.  If you would like to learn more about becoming an HSDP Associate, please visit our Learn More page.

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To learn more about HSD, download a free book here.