Means and Ends - R-P-R Triangle- Result, Process and Relationship
One of the core design models of Climate Chance (as well as other partners like IISC)’s practice (for both our training and consulting work) is something we call the R-P-R Triangle, which basically makes the case that success in collaborative efforts is a multi-dimensional affair, not solely defined by “results” (goal or task accomplished), but also by “process” (the way or spirit in which work is carried out) and “relationship” (the quality of the connections between the people engaged in the work).
It is “the spine of collaboration,” because if we are not thinking in terms of all dimensions, we are not really serious about seeking win-win solutions with others. And indeed experience really proves that these dimensions are intimately linked and dependent upon one another when diverse stakeholders come together to realize a shared vision.
However, so far, what we have experienced is that process and relationships are always at risk of being more subservient. Despite the fact that we know that in the daily business of reaching our desired results, egos gets stroked, compliments extended, comments overlooked in the formation of relationships and a process that works towards the intended goal. How does this model account for this reality?
This question is reminiscent of an ongoing internal conversation about collaboration at IISC and Interaction Associates. Is it a means or an end in and of itself? The same goes for a rigorous dialogue about networks. Are they a route to social change or are they the destination?
As is often the case these days, the answer to these questions seems to be a resounding and perplexing, “Yes!” Results are important, and … . Simply viewing people, or process for that matter, as means to an end can be problematic, not just in terms of failing to respect others’ humanity (harkening back to Kantian ethics), but also in failing to deeply tap the potential that is ripe for our complexity-ridden times.
In this day and age we hear more about, and many experience, the importance of invitation, conversation, hosting, space, trust, and connection, not just as precursors to making something happen, but as being an embodiment of change. And so the challenge becomes holding on to both truths – results matter, and they don’t, or not in the ways that we often imagine.
In the pursuit of systemic transformation, the results we ultimately desire to achieve and sustain, the processes we must master, and the relationships we must cultivate, are generally accretive, or gradually attained. In the end, it comes down to what we pay attention to, why we come together, what cause are we serving, what vision we try to create.
The qestion then becomes, how can we embody the change we seek, every second, with each other?
