Wild Design for Learning : Moving Mental Models from the Factory to the Forest

How can we move from outdated industrial models of learning toward adaptive, sustainable, and interconnected ways of growing, leading, and working together? Gwyneth Hagan turns to the natural world for answers, demonstrating how natural patterns such as spirals, waves, and fractals can help us reimagine how we learn, collaborate, and lead.

How can we move from outdated industrial models of learning toward adaptive, sustainable, and interconnected ways of growing, leading, and working together? In this powerful book, author Gwyneth Hagan turns to the natural world for answers. She demonstrates how natural patterns such as spirals, waves, and fractals can help us reimagine how we learn, collaborate, and lead. Using the metaphor of shifting from “the factory to the forest,” this resource offers educators, leaders, and changemakers an approach for creating organizations, teams, and learning environments that are equitable, engaging, and alive with possibility. The first part of the book explores why mental models matter and how we can shift from systems that resemble the factory to ones inspired by the forest. The second part introduces seven patterns from the natural world, their connections to learning and organizational design, and stories showing how each pattern can inform learning, collaboration, leadership, and change. The third section features guidance and protocols for groups and teams so they can engage in dialogue and collective learning that leads to the creation of their own Wild Designs. Throughout the book, Hagan combines storytelling, research, and reflective practice so readers can immediately apply the ideas to organizations, classrooms, teams, communities, or personal practice. With this thoughtful and beautifully designed book, readers will be inspired to approach learning and leadership in ways that are more adaptive, interconnected, and regenerative.