Senge, P., Scharmer, O.,C., Jaworski, J., Flowers, B.,S. (2005). Presence: An exploration of profound change in people, organizations and society. Double Day, New York, NY.

ISBN: 0-385-51624-x $27.95

In their text, Presence, Senge, Scharmer, Jaworski, and Flowers present an incredibly thorough and thought provoking theory of change based on awareness and understanding of relationships in living systems. The theory is supported by and illustrated through robust and rich qualitative data comprised of the experiences and events in the lives of the authors, influential, business, spiritual and political leaders globally.

One of the many strengths of this book is its clear, succinct organization which helped pull the reader through the text. The authors divided the text into four distinct sections. In part one of the text, the authors introduced, defined and illustrated the core concepts that serve as the foundation and pillars of their theory. In part two of the text the authors explain the application of their theory at its earliest stages. Part three of the text is a comprehensive explanation of the grander, more complex components of the theory. Finally, in part four, the authors make sketch the future as it may be if lived by the principles of their theory.

The authors appropriately title part one of their text “Learning to See.” They introduce “presence”.  Presence, per the authors is the idea that the whole is entirely present in any of its parts. They argue that presence requires the shedding of old patterns of seeing and acting to allow for the regrowth of deeper levels of learning and creation of an awareness of the larger whole. Presence leads to actions that can help to shape our living systems and our future.

>In part two of the text “Theory U”, new theory of learning, is formally introduced. The authors assert that there are three basic aspects to the U movement and that the three movements are extensions of what occurs in the learning process. On the upper left portion of the U, “Sensing” is the challenge of becoming one with the world – sensing through observation, observation and observation. After observation – traveling downward to the bottom of the U “Presencing” the learner is called upon to retreat and reflect allowing for inner knowledge to emerge. Finally the trip back up the right side of the U is “Realizing.” During this time the learner is called to swift, natural action based on the inner knowledge that emerged during reflection.

Part three of the text introduces the method of how the theory is practiced. The authors carefully instruct that the initial changes sought should be small…they are seeds. Illustrated beautifully by Mother Theresa, “You cannot do great things, you can only do small things with great love.” The importance of the seeding – rather the small changes – is that they are intentional and reflect the “grand will” that emerged during reflection. They then describe a process of change through deliberate actions: creating and adjusting, collecting feedback, rediscovering purpose and staying connected and in synch.

Finally, in part four, “Meeting our Future” the authors discuss what leadership and science will look like when enacted according to the principles of Theory U. They discuss leadership in terms of “Becoming a human being.” Becoming human requires a commitment the “old idea that those in positions to influence…organizations power must be committed to cultivation” (p. 178). They argue that a commitment to delayed gratification and a profound understanding of what it means to be a part of living systems is required for effective leadership.

Presence, is an incredibly moving text. The authors’ infectious passion for the subject is quickly and effectively transmitted to the reader. This is accomplished by the simple yet powerful concepts as well as by the conversational format of the text. The authors teach the living system (wholeness) concept by pulling the reader into both the setting of their conversations as well as the conversations themselves. In addition to effectively communicating the spiritual or connected feeling of the text, the authors clean language and effective teaching draws the reader to act on the feelings experienced. This motivational and inspirational text is a sliver of light that catches the eye in the dark times and promises a better future through wholeness, the wholeness of relationships in the living systems of which we are all a part.