Driftology

The first time I met Martin was in 2006 near Johannesburg, at a workshop on leading profound change. After introducing some principles and practices of "presencing" (leading change by sensing and actualizing one's highest future possibility), I asked the workshop participants to volunteer some of their own experiences. A young man from Zambia stood up and shared his story about drifting and flying on the wings of others, which drew us in quickly and left us enchanted. He took us from a small village in Zambia all the way to the cabinet table of the Zambian government and to the boardrooms of multinational companies and international NGOs. His name, of course, was Martin Kalungu-Banda. Since then, I have seen Martin rise from a remarkably gifted young man to a masterful and highly accomplished practitioner and thought leader in the area of learning and leadership.

Martin talks about the human conditions that we are facing in these troubled times. One, the world is moved by forces beyond our control; that is, we have to continuously suspend our habits of judgment in order to cultivate our Open Mind (drifting). Two, we need to redirect our attention in order to connect to the "highest future possibilities" that the various guardian angels help to hold for us (attending). And three, we need to learn to connect with the present moment, and let come what wants to emerge (flying on the wings of others). As you read this book, I recommend that you use the stories to look at your own life's journey. What is the drift you are experiencing in your life right now? What guardian angels do you see? If none, what is it that you are missing right now? What do you need to let go of? What do you feel wants to emerge? What is the larger purpose that you want to be in service of, and that, if connected to, might elevate you onto "the wings of others"? Enjoy the journey!

Otto Scharmer

MIT, Cambridge, MA