The four orders of systems

There are a few foundational concepts underlying my work with leaders and teams. If you follow my posts, you know I'm a fan of the Leadership Circle Profile. The Co-Active Training Institute’s Co-active Coaching also played a formative role in my development. The Four Orders of systems is a third concept that strongly influences my work with teams and organizations.

Originating from the work of family systems and constellations, the four orders are like invisible currents flowing through any human system. Leaders (and coaches) who notice and attend to these forces can uncover hidden truths within groups and better navigate the winds of change. The four orders are:

Belonging:
One of the most basic human needs is to belong to a system and feel like we matter and are safe. Initially, this is with our family. Over time it extends to communities, organizations, and teams. Not to be confused with belonging in the Leadership Circle model, systemic belonging is critical to well-functioning teams. "Am I included and secure?"

Exchange:
Systems and teams require a flow of give and take. Exchange happens in structural forms, such as pay and performance management, and less visible (but often more consequential) reciprocal exchanges of support, resources, and care. "Do I owe someone, or does someone owe me?"

Place:
Everything and everyone has a right to a unique place in the system. This might involve identifying and articulating roles and responsibilities so that the team and everyone on it feels strengthened and clear. When people do not know their unique place on a team, it weakens their ability to contribute. "Am I in the right place? Which places give me strength?"

Time:
The present moment is shaped and influenced by the past. A system, or team, can not move confidently into a new future if events or people from the past have not been acknowledged. As a team coach, I always want to know the team and organizational history. "Is there anything from the past influencing the flow of leadership?"

Looking through the four orders as a lens on team dynamics often reveals hidden forces that can limit or accelerate change.


Special acknowledgment to Judith Hemming and Deborah Rowland for teaching me these concepts. Credit for the image below to the incredible artist, sculptor, and sometimes systems consultant Anjet van Linge.

For more insights into systemic orders and constellations in an organizational context, I recommend following John Whittington and his excellent book: “Systemic Coaching and Constellations."