From Ought to Is

A groundbreaking guide to achieving sustainable change in today's turbulent and interconnected global landscape In a world increasingly divided by opposing perspectives, systemic inertia, and rapid societal shifts, From Ought to Is: Catalysing Change and Movement in a Polarised World offers a transformative approach to navigating change. Deborah Rowland challenges conventional change leadership paradigms by urging readers to confront the reality of "what is" rather than fixating on "what ought to be." Through this lens, she demonstrates how true, sustainable change is achieved not by forcing rigid ideals but by fostering courageous honesty and embracing the messy, dynamic truths of the present. Rooted in decades of research, experience, and interdisciplinary insights from neuroscience, moral philosophy, and spiritual tradition, From Ought to Is provides a compelling guide to navigating complex systems. Rowland illuminates how acknowledging the full truth of a situation can catalyse collaborative action and new possibilities. Through real-life case studies and practical exercises, readers are invited to engage deeply with their own change scenarios, unlocking new possibilities through inclusion, truth, and adaptive leadership. An experiential roadmap for initiating movement in systems, organisations, and personal lives, From Ought to Is: Presents an innovative framework for leading sustainable change which utilises a holistic and interdisciplinary approach Offers an adaptive, reality-based alternative for complex environments which challenges traditional command-and-control change models Explores the dynamics of polarisation and its impact on leadership, collaboration, and systemic transformation Addresses pressing global issues such as political and societal polarisation, technological disruption, and biodiversity collapse Expands on the principles introduced in Deborah Rowland's bestselling Still Moving to address today's unique challenges Ideal for leaders, change practitioners, and anyone seeking to shift entrenched patterns, From Ought to Is supports learning in leadership development programmes and organisational transformation courses. It is an essential text for graduate-level studies in business, organisational behaviour, and leadership, and serves as a vital resource for executives, consultants, and change agents.

List of Figures xi Foreword xiii Acknowledgements xvii My Brain is a Palimpsest – A Note About the Front Cover xix 1 Introduction 1 2 The Deep Power of Ought 15 3 The Transformative Punch of Is 45 Intermezzo 73 4 Systems and the Pursuit of Truth 75 5 Leading Change From Is, the Personal Skills Required 109 6 The Journey of the Soul 139 7 Emotions and Movement 175 8 The Journey Between Ought and Is – A Hothouse 207 9 Conclusion 233 Notes 243 Index 251