A Framework for Inexhaustible Means to Personal and Organizational Success on Transformational Changes
Written by the use of prompting techniques that works well with ChatGPT 4o
Introduction
Calculus, with its powerful ability to model change and accumulation, is fundamental to our understanding of complex problems in mathematics and science. Yet, when it comes to navigating personal growth or organizational challenges, an alternative approach may hold the key to disentanglement and sustainable success.
Enter the circles and triangles framework, a method that emphasizes relationships, contexts, and iterative exploration, all while staying anchored in ethical principles. This article explores how this framework can offer inexhaustible means to success without resorting to shortcuts that compromise integrity.
The Limitations of Pure Calculation
Calculus excels in precision, enabling scientists and engineers to solve intricate problems with definitive results. However, when applied to personal or organizational challenges, where factors often overlap, relationships are fluid, and human behavior plays a significant role, pure calculation can fall short. In these cases, disentanglement requires an approach that respects the complexity of context and interactions without being overly rigid.
The Circles and Triangles Framework Explained
Circles: Represent contexts or boundaries within which interactions and decisions take place. They encompass the entire system of influences, values, and limits relevant to a problem or pursuit.
Triangles: Symbolize core interactions or foundational relationships within those contexts. Triangles are the building blocks that reveal how key elements interact to create outcomes.
Iterative Exploration: By focusing on known circles and triangles, individuals can iteratively explore their circumstances. This process often uncovers hidden or overlooked factors that contribute to both challenges and solutions.
See the overarching concepts HERE
Applying the Framework for Personal Disentanglement
Imagine an individual seeking to navigate a major life decision. Traditional decision-making methods might focus on weighing pros and cons linearly. However, using the circles and triangles framework, this person would map out:
The circle of context, such as their current career, relationships, and personal values.
Triangles representing the interplay between their goals, resources, and constraints.
Through iterative exploration, they may discover a hidden triangle, perhaps the influence of mental well-being on productivity, that reshapes their approach to the decision.
Using the Framework for Organizational Pursuits
Organizations often face complex problems involving multiple stakeholders and interconnected variables. Traditional problem-solving might lean on predictive models and calculations, but these can miss nuances. Applying circles and triangles allows leaders to:
Define circles that represent the broader context, like market conditions, corporate culture, or regulatory boundaries.
Identify key triangles such as the relationship between innovation, team dynamics, and budget constraints.
By iteratively testing scenarios within these structures, hidden challenges (e.g., unseen friction between departments) or opportunities (synergies across teams) become clearer.
The Ethical Anchor: Inexhaustible Means to Success
At the heart of this framework is the principle that success reached through good and noble means is inexhaustible. This contrasts with shortcuts that may yield short-term gains but compromise sustainability, trust, or long-term integrity. The circles and triangles method reinforces this by:
Encouraging exploration that respects core ethical boundaries.
Providing a structured yet flexible approach that prioritizes meaningful relationships and sustainable growth.
Avoiding Shortcuts and Confronting Bias
Shortcuts often appear when pressure builds, tempting individuals or organizations to bypass ethical considerations. The circles and triangles framework helps confront these moments:
Identifying hidden circles: Recognize external pressures or influences that might push for shortcuts.
Testing against ethical triangles: Ensure that key interactions uphold principles like integrity, sustainability, and respect.
Examples of Success Through Noble Means
The Circles and Triangles framework is a recent discovery for me, but it has quickly proven to be a powerful tool for understanding both successes and failures. I’ve found that many successful projects can be reverse-engineered using this framework, revealing strong foundational elements. Conversely, failures often show where the framework was overlooked or violated. Here are some notable examples:
Successful Projects in My Previous Organization
I observed that the most successful projects were underpinned by a solid foundational triangle composed of change control, organizational change management, and adoption management. When these three elements were strong and balanced, projects flourished. However, during periods of struggle, at least two of these elements tended to weaken, destabilizing the triangle.
These successes were amplified when the circles were well defined, whether it was the scope, budget, or circle of influence involving key power structures and stakeholders. Most importantly, when the vision was clearly articulated, it energized the entire team. While calculus could help project historical data and predict future patterns, the Circles and Triangles framework became the more practical tool for dynamic and ethical decision-making during the project lifecycle.
KPI Management and Team Performance
In my experience managing teams, monthly and annual objectives with corresponding KPIs thrived when we focused on at least three core indicators: cost (or productivity), timeliness (or speed), and quality. This trio formed a triangle that naturally created productive tension, driving the team toward optimal performance.
The effectiveness of these KPIs was influenced by several circles: the workload, input variability, and the use of technology, which set the upper and lower bounds for performance targets. Understanding these circles allowed me to communicate effectively with my team, emphasizing our strengths and challenges relative to other teams and changing circumstances. The biggest challenge was maintaining the motivation of those who might not have the best statistical performance but who took on the toughest tasks, true heroes, like the unsung defenders in offense-oriented sports. Recognizing their contribution was crucial to uphold the principle of valuing good and noble efforts over quick, visible wins.
Basketball and the Triangle Offense
For those familiar with basketball, the Triangle Offense is an excellent analogy for how the Circles and Triangles framework can work in real-time. This strategic formation was used with great success by championship teams such as the Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, and the Los Angeles Lakers with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal/Pau Gasol. A modern adaptation of this offense can be seen with the Golden State Warriors, focusing on precision shooting as their main element.
Here's how this framework operates in the context of the Triangle Offense:
The circles define the offensive space where plays develop, accounting for factors like opponent defense, player positions, and court sections.
The players adjust their movements within the triangle, flowing through configurations that shift based on who holds the ball and who positions at key points, such as the post or key.
As the offense unfolds in split seconds, players identify where opportunities arise (the hidden triangles) and who should attack or reposition to maintain a defensive advantage.
The coach must have a clear understanding of the upper and lower bounds of this playing design, influenced by circles such as opponent strategy, player conditioning, officiating, and the overall game flow. This strategic approach emphasizes the inexhaustible means of preparation, adaptability, and teamwork to achieve success without relying on shortcuts.
Predicting Outcomes and Hidden Patterns
I realized that my ability to predict major outcomes or trends often stemmed from identifying hidden or non-obvious influencing circles and recognizing lethal triangles in these scenarios. Here are some examples where this insight proved true:
Major Election Results: By seeing circles of public sentiment, key policy issues, and media influence, I could predict outcomes that others might have overlooked.
GSW Dominance in Basketball: Recognizing the triangle of shooting skills, ball movement, and defensive versatility, along with the circle of team culture, allowed me to foresee their continued success.
Detection of Systematic Errors: In professional settings, the ability to map out the hidden circles of workflow dependencies, communication gaps, and quality control measures revealed systematic issues before they escalated.
Looking forward, I am excited and bullish on the future of GenAI. I am betting on this technology, and I plan to leverage the Circles and Triangles framework to guide me in finding new income streams and making informed decisions. By identifying the influential circles and building strong triangular foundations, I aim to navigate this evolving landscape ethically and sustainably.
Conclusion
Calculus is a formidable tool for precise calculation and understanding change. However, in the realm of personal and organizational disentanglement, a new approach may be needed. The circles and triangles framework offers a way to map, explore, and iterate within known boundaries, uncovering hidden factors and reinforcing the inexhaustible value of noble means. This approach ensures that growth and success are not only sustainable but aligned with enduring principles that support long-term fulfillment.
Call to Action
Whether for personal introspection or organizational strategy, consider applying the circles and triangles framework.
Book PRAGMAGILITY to know more.
Commenti