Publications

Otto's Books, recent Articles and Blog Posts, and more selected Publications.

Books

The Essentials of Theory U: Core Principles and Applications

by Otto Scharmer, 2018


A useful pocket guide for practitioners that distills all of the research and materials found in Otto Scharmer's seminal texts Theory U and Leading from the Emerging Future.


A short handbook that focuses on the core principles of Theory U, the key movements that makes the process of Theory U, and social applications, to be used as an introduction to work in the field of Presencing.

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“The quality of results produced by any system depends on the awareness from which people in the system operate.”

Otto Scharmer

Praise for the Book

"This book provides a new language and teaches us new ways to integrate the insights of the psychology of mindfulness with the sociology of groups and the forces of the political and economic system. It is an incredible tour de force."
Edgar Schein 
Professor Emeritus at MIT Sloan School of Management & Author
“A great and timely book. As more and more people become part of the global movement around deep systemic change — from social entrepreneurs to innovators working within large established organizations to diverse network builders — a new field of knowledge is gradually taking shape."
Peter Senge
Senior Lecturer at MIT & Co-Founder of Academy for Systems Change
"My life and work have changed in no small part since meeting Otto and Theory U through MIT over a decade ago in the founding of the United in Diversity Forum. We have seen an amazing impact of the ‘U’ based leadership work in Indonesia and China, particularly in terms of how business, government and civil society collaborate to bridge the environmental, social, and spiritual divides."
Cherie Nursalim
Co-Chair of SDSN-SEA & Chair of United In Diversity Foundation
“I’ve experienced firsthand the profound impact of Otto’s transformative work — on our company as a whole, our teams, and individual employees. Now we can all participate more readily in the possibilities for systems change in the world."
Eileen Fisher
Founder & Chairwoman of Eileen Fisher Inc.

Theory U: Leading from the Future as it Emerges

C. Otto Scharmer

2nd Edition, 2016

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Theory U: Leading from the Future as it Emerges

C. Otto Scharmer 

2nd Edition, 2016

In this ground-breaking book, Otto Scharmer invites us to see the world in new ways. What we pay attention to, and how we pay attention – both individually and collectively – is key to what we create. What often prevents us from “attending” is what Scharmer calls our “blind spot,” the inner place from which each of us operates. Learning to become aware of our blind spot is critical to bringing forth the profound systemic changes so needed in business and society today.

By moving through the “U” process we learn to connect to our essential Self, see our own blind spot and pay attention in a way that allows us to experience the opening of our minds, our hearts, and our wills. This wholistic opening constitutes a shift in awareness that allows us to learn from the future as it emerges, and to realize that future in the world.

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Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego-System to Eco-System Economics

C. Otto Scharmer and

Katrin Kaufer

2013

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Leading from the Emerging Future:

From Ego-System to Eco-System Economics

C. Otto Scharmer and Katrin Kaufer

2nd Edition, 2013 

We have entered an age of disruption. Financial collapse, climate change, resource depletion, and a growing gap between rich and poor are but a few of the signs. Otto Scharmer and Katrin Kaufer ask, why do we collectively create results nobody wants? Meeting the challenges of this century requires updating our economic logic and operating system from an obsolete “ego-system” focused entirely on the well-being of oneself to an eco-system awareness that emphasizes the well-being of the whole.

Filled with real-world examples, this thought-provoking guide presents proven practices for building a new economy that is more resilient, intentional, inclusive, and aware.

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Presence:

An Exploration of Profound Change in People, Organizations, and Society

Peter M. Senge, C. Otto Scharmer,

Joseph Jaworski, Betty Sue Flowers

2004

Organizational learning pioneers Peter Senge, Otto Scharmer, Joseph Jaworski, and Betty S. Flowers explored the nature of transformational change – how it arises, and the fresh possibilities it offers a world dangerously out of balance. By encouraging deeper levels of learning, we create an awareness of the larger whole, leading to actions that can help to shape its evolution and our future.

Drawing on the wisdom and experience of 150 scientists, social leaders, and entrepreneurs, including Brian Arthur, Rupert Sheldrake, Buckminster Fuller, Lao Tzu and Carl Jung, Presence revolutionary and original work goes on to define the capabilities that underlie our ability to see, sense and realize new possibilities in ourselves, in institutions and organizations, and in society itself.

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Presence:

An Exploration of Profound Change in People, Organizations, and Society

Peter M. Senge, C. Otto Scharmer, Joseph Jaworski, andBetty Sue Flowers

2004

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Presence:

An Exploration of Profound Change in People, Organizations, and Society

Peter M. Senge, C. Otto Scharmer,

Joseph Jaworski, Betty Sue Flowers

2004

Organizational learning pioneers Peter Senge, Otto Scharmer, Joseph Jaworski, and Betty S. Flowers explored the nature of transformational change – how it arises, and the fresh possibilities it offers a world dangerously out of balance. By encouraging deeper levels of learning, we create an awareness of the larger whole, leading to actions that can help to shape its evolution and our future.

Drawing on the wisdom and experience of 150 scientists, social leaders, and entrepreneurs, including Brian Arthur, Rupert Sheldrake, Buckminster Fuller, Lao Tzu and Carl Jung, Presence revolutionary and original work goes on to define the capabilities that underlie our ability to see, sense and realize new possibilities in ourselves, in institutions and organizations, and in society itself.

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An Emerging Third Option: Reclaiming Democracy from Dark Money & Dark Tech

An exploration of how dark money and dark tech undermine democracy, the need for systemic change through awareness-based approaches, and the role of islands of coherence and ecosystem leadership in shaping a regenerative future.

Indonesia’s Role in an Emerging New Global Political Order

Leading Systems Transformation with Indonesia's President Prabowo: Observations on Integration, Self-Reliance, and a Multipolar World.

This article reflects on inclusive leadership, emerging political axes around self-reliance versus neoliberalism, and advocating for non-aligned, peaceful approaches in global geopolitics.

Listening the New Into Being

Explore how communities transform challenges into regenerative actions in Otto Scharmer's latest blog, "From Collapse to Regeneration: 5 Micro Stories of Transformation That Are Shaping Tomorrow." Discover the profound impact of collaborative efforts across global landscapes. Read more: [Insert Link]

JASC cover

Fourth Person: The Knowing of the Field

In a time of systemic collapse and polycrisis, the main challenge is a pervasive sense of collective depression and helplessness. Otto Scharmer and Eva Pomeroy paper introduce "fourth-person knowing," transcending traditional first-, second-, and third-person approaches that underpin current learning and leadership systems. This new epistemological framework aims to enrich research methodologies, facilitating deeper connections and actions aligned with emerging global patterns.

Earth4All Deep Dive Paper: The System Within

The system within: Addressing the inner dimensions of sustainability and systems transformation.

This paper highlights the overlooked inner dimension of system change, and offers systems thinkers the language to advocate for psychological, social and spiritual factors crucial to sustainable solutions.

Johan Galtung: Peace with Peaceful Means

Reflect on the profound legacy of Johan Galtung, the father of peace research, in Otto Scharmer's tribute, "Johan Galtung: Peace with Peaceful Means." Discover how Galtung’s pioneering ideas and lifelong commitment to peace continue to inspire global change.

2023 In Eight Points: Meditating On Our Planetary Moment

2023 In Eight Points: Meditating On Our Current Planetary Moment

Explore Otto Scharmer's insightful analysis in his latest article, '2023 In Eight Points: Meditating On Our Planetary Moment'. Otto delves into the profound shifts and challenges of the past year, offering a deep reflection on the intersections of ecological, social, and technological transformations.

Philanthropy 4.0: Giving in Times of Disruption

Delve into "Philanthropy 4.0: Giving in Times of Disruption" on Otto Scharmer's blog, exploring how philanthropy is evolving amidst societal upheavals. Discover innovative approaches to giving that are shaping transformative, systemic change for a more equitable future.

Transforming Our Economies from Ego To Eco

As part of the Earth4All project, collaborators have submitted deep-dive papers to delve further into the issues and solutions needed to transform our economic system and provide an equitable future for all on a finite planet. This paper explores how to transform the 21st-century economic system to become more just and sustainable. Otto Scharmer argues for the need to create a learning infrastructure to make this transformation possible.

Vertical Literacy: Reimagining the 21st-Century University

In a world where climate strikes and social movements are capturing the collective imagination, the question of how educational institutions can foster meaningful change has become increasingly urgent. Otto Scharmer delves into the evolving responsibilities of universities, exploring how they can move beyond being mere knowledge factories to become catalysts for transformative societal shifts. By examining the limitations of our current educational paradigms, he offers a groundbreaking perspective on bridging the 'knowing-doing' gap that hampers global progress.

An Apple Shows Just How Broken Our Food System Is

The food we consume has a hidden story, one that Otto Scharmer reveals has dire implications for both our health and our planet. Delving into a new study on the environmental and health costs of conventionally grown apples, Scharmer exposes the true price we pay for our modern agricultural practices. From pesticide use to monocultures, this blog post invites us to reconsider the larger systems that our daily food choices perpetuate, raising urgent questions about sustainability, health, and the real costs lurking behind what we eat.

Transforming Capitalism: 7 Acupuncture Points

In today's rapidly evolving world, there is a pressing need to address the disconnect between existing economic models and the real-world challenges they claim to solve. The concept of transforming capitalism isn't just a theoretical idea; it has become a necessary undertaking to address the social, ecological, and spiritual divides widening in our society. This blog post explores the landscape of economic transformation, identifying key leverage points that could radically update our current systems and shift our focus from a self-centered "ego-system" to a life-centered "eco-system."

Selected Publications