Category Archives: Uncategorized

5 Rules of Coaching

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Liz

These rules have nothing to do with any methodology (except maybe complexity thinking, because human.) I have found it useful to bear these in mind while I coach. I’ve passed them on in various forms to people who are learning … Continue reading →

Posted in coaching, life, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Probe by Any Other Name

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Liz

In complexity (new stuff is complex) we prefer to probe; which means to try something out that’s safe-to-fail. Knowing things are failing or succeeding relies on feedback loops; but who do we get feedback from? And what do we do … Continue reading →

Posted in cynefin, feedback, real options, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

How to run a Futurespective

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Liz

Futurespectives, like Retrospectives, look back at the past… from the future! I find them very useful when there isn’t much to retrospect on: at the start of a project or initiative. I’ve run them for myself, for other individuals, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

On Learning and Information

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Liz

This has been an interesting year for me. At the end of March I came out of one of the largest Agile transformations ever attempted (still going, surprisingly well), and learned way more than I ever thought possible about how … Continue reading →

Posted in learning models, scale, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Using Scenarios for Experiment Design

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Liz

In the complex domain, cause and effect are only correlated in retrospect, and we cannot predict outcomes. We can see them and understand them in retrospect, but the complex domain is the domain of discovery and innovation. Expect the unexpected! … Continue reading →

Posted in cynefin, evil hat, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

The Hobgoblin Manifesto

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Liz

For Chris, the most Puckish person I know and who I am proud to call my friend. A Hobgoblin is mischevous from birth We never mean to harm, but to disrupt, To muddle up the stasis of the Earth That … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

An open letter to Bob Marshall

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Liz

Dear Bob, We’ve had our differences, mostly around a particular set of tweets you sent out about the Pask award in 2010. I was respectful enough to address those with you face-to-face. You refused to retract them, particularly the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Disorder, or, How I Got a Black Eye

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Liz

In the Cynefin framework, the Disorder domain is the one in the middle. It’s the state of not knowing what kind of causality exists. Over on the right we have the predictable domains of Simple and Complicated, and on the … Continue reading →

Posted in complexity, cynefin, evil hat, real options, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Deliberate Discovery, Real Options and Cynefin

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Liz

Last week, I held a hangout with a few people from the ALE community. A few people very much enjoyed it and got quite a lot out of it – it’s far less formal than most presentations. It takes me a … Continue reading →

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The Eighth Day

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Liz

Scholars immersed in books Rise blearily, wiping their eyes, And gather in knots of threes and fours In the angles of the square. They avoid each other’s anxious looks; The crowds who gathered to hear the wise Are turned away … Continue reading →

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