Thrivability

Book excerpt: Jean Russell's inspiring and visionary new book challenges the 'breakdown thinking' that focuses only on defensive reactions to the economic, social, political, and environmental crises we face. In its place she proposes 'breakthrough thinking': an approach that recognizes the gritty reality we face but enables us to envision and co-create a world of wellbeing and health. Part I - Perceiving - looks at the stories we tell about our world and our limited ways of perceiving it. It shows how we can look at the bigger picture, recognise our blinkers/blinders and introduces the key ideas of systems and complexity thinking in this area. Part II - Understanding - outlines new tools for understanding ourselves and the social and data revolutions we are part of. It looks in particular at behavioural economics, human irrationality, leadership, organisational and social structures and data metrics. Part III - Doing - sets out ways we can take action together to create the world of the possible, a thriving world, a world that works. This section focuses on creativity, game dynamics (how to gamify the tasks we need to accomplish as individuals and as a society) and the Action Spectrum - a way of understanding how we can most effectively make interventions in any situation. The book is peppered with references, practical questions and exercises to bring thriving to your organization and way of life.