Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds
by adrienne maree brown · 2017
In a nutshell
A book by adrienne maree brown that presents a framework for adaptive, relationship-centered leadership and social change. It explores principles such as “small is good,” “change is constant, be like water,” “move at the speed of trust,” and “never a failure, always a lesson.” While not exclusively about startups, its concepts are highly applicable for startup founders navigating uncertainty, experimentation, and scaling impact.
Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds
- Type: Book
- Author: adrienne maree brown
- Publisher / Brand: AK Press
- Category: Leadership & Management
- Tags: leadership, change, strategy
- Source:
Overview
“Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds” outlines a framework for adaptive, relationship-centered leadership and social change. While written for organizers and movement-builders, its ideas are broadly applicable to startup founders and teams operating in uncertain, rapidly changing environments.
Features
- Emergent strategy framework focused on adapting to change rather than controlling it.
- Relationship-centered leadership that prioritizes trust, connection, and interdependence over rigid hierarchies.
- Guiding principles, including:
- “Small is good” – emphasizing the power of small-scale experiments and incremental change.
- “Change is constant, be like water” – encouraging flexibility and responsiveness in dynamic conditions.
- “Move at the speed of trust” – pacing work and growth according to the strength of relationships.
- “Never a failure, always a lesson” – treating experiments and setbacks as learning opportunities.
- Application to social change and organizing, offering tools and mindsets for groups working toward transformative justice.
- Relevance to startups and innovation, especially for navigating uncertainty, experimentation, and scaling impact in complex systems.
Use Cases
- Founders and startup teams seeking frameworks for experimentation and learning.
- Leaders and managers aiming to build trust-centered, adaptive organizations.
- Community organizers and activists designing strategies for long-term social change.
- Facilitators, coaches, and consultants looking for new ways to approach complexity and collaboration.
- Not specified in the provided content. Check the publisher’s page for current pricing and formats.
Reference
Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds — publisher / official page. Summary adapted from the Awesome Startup Books collection.
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