In our time, all the right conditions and contradictions for the Integral value meme of Spiral Dynamics have finally emerged — a cascade of “wicked problems” that can only be fully recognized and solved from an Integral perspective.

Some have been around for a while, like racism, abortion, and power, and some have risen to general awareness lately, like free speech, disinformation, and artificial intelligence. Add to this list the pandemic, war, and climate change, and we have ourselves a systemic, complex situation that overwhelms previous value memes. And I have yet to mention the education crisis, and even then, the list is not exhaustive.

Integral was ahead of its time. It emerged decades before the world really needed it. This gave us some time to lay some theoretical and social groundwork.

On the other hand, new work has its own set of challenges. Silent quitting, flexibility around remote work, managers becoming coaches, and all new management forms like self-managing teams come to mind. And we can add the shift in the workplace caused by artificial intelligence and automation, which results in new professions and a loss of work for many.

CliftonStrengths gives us Tools to navigate this new work situation. It provides insight into ourselves and co-workers for more efficient teams. But not only that, it allows for whole new, individualized management practices and ways of working together.

Spiral Dynamics and CliftonStrengths together are powerful in generating company and community cultures, a whole new set of solutions, and an integrative way of living together past mere acceptance of diversity.

I will provide training for Spiral Dynamics coaches starting this year.