Presence in Action: An Introduction to Theory U

Presence in Action: An Introduction to Theory U, is a DVD featuring C. Otto Scharmer's keynote address prepared for the opening session of the Society for Organizational Learning's Second Global Forum in September of 2005. One of the Forum design team members, Cristina d'Arce of Brazil, worked with Scharmer to set the stage for this gathering. Scharmer spoke to the question of how we can be more present to our experience, using the Forum as an immediate opportunity for the participants to experiment with the U process. In three segments, Shifting the Social Field, Facing Three Enemies, and A 12-Step Presencing Practice, Scharmer introduces the social technology of presencing to management and management science. The learning and change theories that guide leaders' actions are based on reflecting on past experience. But the complex challenges facing us today require a new form of learning one that connects us to the emerging future. Presencing, a blend of presence and sensing, refers to the ability to sense and bring into the present one's highest future potential. Scharmer shows us our current blind spot and encourages co-creation of a future that depends on each of us.