The Three Hopes

The Three Hopes

Note: Once upon a time, this post was referred to as “the three rules.” But that was the wrong language entirely. In the course of raising our children, I’ve been challenged on my word choices, and my learning has resulted in this re-authoring of the content. Note to...
Driving at night: working in emergent environments

Driving at night: working in emergent environments

Much of the work that we do is, by its very nature, emergent. And to define my terms, because words are tricky things at the very best of times, let me tell you what I mean when I say “emergent.” What I mean is that it is impossible (underline, highlight, italic,...
Complicated is Easy

Complicated is Easy

We recommend to our clients that they not engage us on their complicated projects. Because we’d prefer to work on the complex ones. So…what’s the difference? Complicated, complex…whatever, right? Complicated…assembling automobiles is...
People…are People…are People.

People…are People…are People.

One of the things that fascinates me is how unique we believe ourselves to be, and, systemically speaking at least, how similar we really are. I work with complex human systems (groups, teams, organizations, etc.) in times of transition. Change needs to happen, and...
Change…Like the Rain, or Like a River?

Change…Like the Rain, or Like a River?

How does change happen? And, more appropriately, how might change happen, if it were done effectively? Organizational change, historically, has been like rain. It stops and starts, as a sometimes-necessarily-funded-evil of a software project implementation. Ask a...