The wonder of the “We-Space"; an Integral+® approach to human development

The “We-Space" is a phenomenon that occurs when people come together in a collective effort and achieve something that was once thought to be impossible (whatever that is). From an Integral perspective, this miracle is not just a matter of good fortune or luck, but a result of the development and alignment of different aspects of human perspectives, human nature, and societal views.

This in and of itself is a miracle! Why? Let’s start with the fact that we all see the world through our subjectivity. Our subjective view is grounded in our experience, our thoughts and feelings, beliefs, values, cognitive biases, world view, lines of intelligence, etc. This makes it a wonder that we are ever able to cut through the divides and differences to create understandings and a shared view.

Integral theory provides a comprehensive framework that seeks to integrate different perspectives, models, and theories to provide a more comprehensive understanding of human nature and society. Human beings are complex and multi-dimensional creatures operating from different levels of consciousness (vertical stages of development), including the physical (somatic), emotional, cognitive, interpersonal, intrapersonal (self-view), and spiritual (valued meanings) intelligences. These different levels of consciousness interact with and repel one another and contribute to the overall development/disintegration of human nature and society.

The "Miracle of We" can be seen as a manifestation of the integral theory in action. When people come together in a collective effort, they are able to tap into different levels of consciousness and align them towards a common goal/outcome. For example, a group of athletes competing in a high-performance team sport will need to coordinate their physical skills, emotional intelligence, mental strategies, and spiritual (intentional) focus to achieve success.

The "Miracle of We" is not just limited to sports, but can also be observed in other domains such as business, politics, social movements, etc. In each case, people need to align their different levels of consciousness to work together towards a common purpose. When this alignment occurs, the group is able to tap into a higher level of energy and creativity that is not possible, when working alone.

However, the "We Space" is not always easy to achieve. Because people have different personalities, made up of differing beliefs, values, biases, etc. that it is easier to identify differences than similarities. It is in many cases, easier to create conflicts and hinder cooperation than find common ground. In addition, society as a whole may not always provide the necessary support and resources to facilitate collective action. As a result, the Integral+® approach emphasizes the importance of creating supportive structures and practices that enable people to work together effectively, because of their differences.

For example, a business organisation may need to create a culture of collaboration and mutual support, where individual achievements are celebrated, but not at the expense of the collective effort. Similarly, a political movement may need to create a clear vision and values that resonate with a diverse group of people (and their diverse cultures) and provide opportunities for people to engage and contribute to achieving this vision in ways meaningful to them and their epistemological outlook (way of making meaning).

In conclusion, the "wonder of the We-Space" is a manifestation of the integral theory in action, where people come together in a collective effort and achieve something that was once thought to be impossible. This miracle is not a matter of luck, but a result of the alignment and development of different levels of consciousness and understanding. To facilitate this alignment, it is important to create and sustain support structures and practices that enable people to work together effectively towards a common purpose/vision.

Jay Hedley

Managing Partner

The Coaching Room

www.thecoachingroom.com.au