Interconnectivity, Flow, and Balance
The Interconnectivity, Flow, and Balance (IFB) model introduces you to your organization, family, or community as an ecosystem with three natural laws working behind the scenes like a computer operating system. Like technical operating systems, interconnectivity, flow, and balance are ever-present, not always perceived, yet prolific. They take form depending on behavioural norms, policies, values, and leadership tendencies.
IFB® methodology is not an instant fix that will solve all your challenges. It is a long-term journey that requires that you first understand the principles of interconnectivity, flow and balance because the three natural laws operate within toxic and healthy organizations. The core values are what distinguishes the two. Once you understand the natural laws of ecosystems, you can learn to work within your organization perceiving it as a living ecosystem.
The IFB® Model is a multipurpose tool that can stimulate the growth of your organization and give leaders the insight they need to make conscious decisions. This is especially useful when your environment is characterized by unpredictability, ambiguity, and complexity. IFB is a model that takes the whole organization into consideration, balancing the development of leaders and teams with strategic needs and external demands. When IFB is operating with trust as an anchor within organizations it better equips leaders to improve internal communication, strengthen performance, and inspire innovation.
Another invaluable use of the IFB® Model is to improve engagement. According to Gallup’s most recent State of the American Workplace report, 67 percent of American workers are either not engaged or are actively disengaged. Internationally, 87 percent of workers fall within these two categories.
In response to low engagement numbers and the risks associated with this trend, organizational decision-makers are paying closer attention to engagement levels and cultural indicators because they understand the inextricable link between engagement, culture, and team performance.
Gallup research indicates companies with engaged employees outperform their competitors by 147 percent. This is useful to know because when there is uncertainty, an engaged workforce is more important than ever, especially as leaders seek to create competitive advantages through their people.
The IFB® Model bases its efficacy on the fact that it is centered on trust-based relationships. Edelman’s 2022 Trust Barometer points out that, “ We find a world ensnared in a vicious cycle of distrust, fueled by a growing lack of faith in media and government. Through disinformation and division, these two institutions are feeding the cycle and exploiting it for commercial and political gain.” As a result, division and distrust permeate all aspects of communities including workplaces and families, making trust-building competencies increasingly invaluable.
The IFB® Model is different than other change models because keeps dynamic change at the top-of-mind, treating it as a constant. Not only in the form of constant, discrete change initiatives with defined lifespans, but transformation through consciously facilitating incremental shifts that happen over time by leaders who are deliberate about living the organization’s espoused core values.
The IFB® Model has had profound effects on organizations around the world because it does not replace anything already in motion. Instead, it integrates and works in tandem with all types of models and change plans, unless the tools or initiatives you have in place are counterproductive to trust-building and the core values of your organization.
Yvette Bethel is CEO of Organizational Soul, an Organizational Effectiveness Consulting and Leadership Development company. She is a Board and CEO Advisor, Consultant, Trainer, Speaker, Facilitator, Executive Coach, Author, and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner. She is also the innovator behind the IFB Proprietary Ecosystem Transformation Methodology. If you are interested in a free consultation with Yvette, you can contact her at www.yvettebethel.com. To learn more, check out her podcast at Evolve Podcast.
