Adding the Missing Conversation: A Response to Otto Scharmer on Reclaiming Democracy
In his recent Medium article, Otto Scharmer reflects on the state of democracy in 2024, identifying the forces of dark money and dark tech as corrosive influences and emphasizing the need for a profound societal shift. At Adding the Missing Conversation (AMC), we wholeheartedly align with Scharmer’s call to action, particularly his emphasis on cultivating the social soil—the relationships, awareness, and shared intentions that sustain any democratic system. However, we also believe that what’s missing in his analysis is a practical, scalable method for bringing these shifts to life.
That’s where the Wisdom Council Process comes in. This process, central to AMC’s mission, provides the missing infrastructure for the type of transformative dialogue Scharmer envisions. Below, we build on Scharmer’s insights and explore how adding the missing conversation can catalyze the systemic change we so urgently need.
Reclaiming Democracy: Beyond “Democracy in Name Only”
Scharmer identifies the degradation of democracy into what he aptly terms “Democracy in Name Only” (DINO)—a system where elections persist but the deeper essence of democracy is eroded by invisible forces. He highlights the twin threats of dark money—untraceable funding that manipulates political agendas—and dark tech, which distorts public perception through algorithm-driven polarization.
At AMC, we see this as a call to action for systemic dialogue. Democracy is not just a mechanism for elections; it’s a living conversation about who we are and where we want to go as a society. The Wisdom Council Process revitalizes this conversation by bringing diverse groups of citizens together to address shared challenges in an environment free from manipulation. In these councils, participants discover common ground, build mutual understanding, and generate insights that transcend partisan divides.
By creating spaces where ordinary citizens can deliberate on complex issues, Wisdom Councils reconnect democracy with its roots: collective decision-making grounded in trust, transparency, and shared responsibility.
The Power of Deep Listening: From Polarization to Connection
Scharmer critiques modern political systems for their inability—or unwillingness—to listen deeply to citizens. He describes leaders trapped in an echo chamber of consultants and funders, disconnected from the real concerns of the people they serve. This failure to listen fosters polarization and alienation, leaving citizens feeling unheard and powerless.
At AMC, we recognize deep listening as the bedrock of any thriving democracy. The Wisdom Council Process is explicitly designed to create spaces for this kind of listening. Facilitated by skilled conveners, these councils encourage participants to move beyond surface-level debates and engage with the deeper needs and aspirations of their communities.
Through these conversations, citizens not only feel heard but also discover shared values and collective solutions. This approach addresses one of Scharmer’s central concerns: the erosion of trust in democratic systems. By rebuilding trust through dialogue, we lay the foundation for a more resilient and inclusive democracy.
Economic Transformation: Co-Creating Solutions That Work
Scharmer highlights the disconnect between economic policies and the lived realities of citizens, pointing out how bureaucratic systems often stifle innovation and alienate frontline workers. He calls for a shift from top-down regulation to bottom-up co-creation, where businesses, civil society, and citizens collaborate to address shared challenges.
The Wisdom Council Process offers a concrete method for fostering this kind of co-creation. In these councils, diverse stakeholders—including workers, business leaders, and policymakers—come together to explore economic issues from multiple perspectives. This collaborative approach generates solutions that are not only innovative but also rooted in the lived experiences of those most affected.
At AMC, we believe this process can transform how we approach economic policymaking, shifting the focus from fragmented debates to holistic, systems-level solutions. By adding the missing conversation to economic discussions, we empower communities to take ownership of their futures and build economies that serve everyone.
Toward an Emerging Future: Wisdom Councils as Catalysts
Scharmer describes the need for a third option in politics—one that transcends the stale binary of status quo versus regression. He envisions a future-oriented approach rooted in collective wisdom and shared intention. This aligns perfectly with the mission of AMC and the Wisdom Council Process.
Wisdom Councils are inherently future-oriented. They create a space where participants can step back from reactive, problem-focused thinking and instead engage in presencing—a process of sensing and co-creating the future they want to see. By tapping into the collective intelligence of the group, Wisdom Councils generate insights and solutions that reflect the aspirations of the whole community, not just its loudest factions.
In this way, Wisdom Councils operationalize the emerging future Scharmer speaks of. They are not just tools for dialogue but engines of transformation, enabling communities to move beyond entrenched divisions and imagine new possibilities together.
Connecting Islands of Coherence: Building Ecosystems of Change
Scharmer beautifully describes the concept of islands of coherence—pockets of alignment and purpose that can lift entire systems to higher levels of functioning. However, as he notes, these islands often fail to connect, limiting their impact.
At AMC, we see Wisdom Councils as the connective tissue between these islands. By linking councils across regions, sectors, and communities, we create a network of ecosystems of coherence—a distributed yet unified movement for democratic renewal. This network amplifies the impact of individual councils, creating a ripple effect that transforms not just local communities but entire systems.
Through our training programs, storytelling initiatives, and partnerships, AMC is building the infrastructure needed to scale these ecosystems. Our vision is a world where Wisdom Councils are not exceptions but the norm, integrated into the fabric of democratic governance at every level.
Cultivating the Social Soil: From Ego to Eco
Scharmer emphasizes the need to cultivate the social soil—the underlying relationships, awareness, and shared intentions that sustain healthy systems. He calls for a shift from ego-system to eco-system awareness, where decisions are guided by the well-being of the whole.
This is the heart of AMC’s mission. The Wisdom Council Process embodies eco-system awareness by fostering dialogue that prioritizes the collective good over individual interests. It creates the conditions for communities to co-sense their challenges, co-imagine their futures, and co-create the solutions they need.
By cultivating this social soil, Wisdom Councils not only address immediate issues but also build the capacity for ongoing collective learning and action. They are a prototype for the regenerative systems Scharmer envisions—systems that can adapt, evolve, and thrive in the face of complexity.
Conclusion: Adding the Missing Conversation
Otto Scharmer’s reflections on democracy in 2024 are a powerful call to action. He highlights the urgent need for systemic change and points to the potential of collective wisdom as a guiding force. At Adding the Missing Conversation, we share this vision and offer a concrete path forward: the Wisdom Council Process.
By adding the missing conversation to our democratic systems, we can move from fragmentation to coherence, from polarization to connection, and from despair to possibility. This is not just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about co-creating a new democratic paradigm that reflects our highest aspirations.