Glossary List of terms and their definitions

4E cognition is the idea that cognition is shaped and structured by dynamic interactions between the brain, body, and both the physical and social environments. Cognition is embodied, embedded, extended, and enactive.

Abductive reasoning is the process of forming a likely explanation or hypothesis from an incomplete set of observations. It involves inferring the most plausible cause for the observed evidence, often used when the information is insufficient for deductive or inductive reasoning.

Accountability means being liable to be called to account by some authority and facing consequences if we fail to complete expected actions. We are held accountable through external enforcement and oversight.

Active listening is attentively and intentionally listening to understand and retain communicated information. It involves paying attention, asking questions, and providing verbal and non-verbal feedback.

Actor-Network Theory (ANT) is a sociological framework that examines how both human and non-human entities, called “actants,” interact and influence outcomes in complex networks.

Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist and professor known for his work on motivation, leadership, and creativity. He’s a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an author and speaker.

Adaptive leadership is a proactive and agile approach to leadership that emphasizes flexibility, innovation, and collaboration to effectively navigate complex and unpredictable situations. It involves empowering individuals and organizations to embrace change, learn from setbacks, and continuously adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges.

Adaptive Strategy is an approach to strategy that is characterized by adaptive planning, early adoption, evolutionary development, continuous improvement, and rapid and flexible response to change. The formulation and implementation of strategy are not separate sequential phases but go hand in hand.

An after-action review (AAR) is a conversation to review and improve performance after an event or activity. It is typically used to identify strengths and weaknesses and facilitate continuous improvement.

Agency is the capacity to make intentional choices and take purposeful actions based on free will, enabling us to direct our lives and shape our identities.

Alan Watts (1915-1973) was a British-born philosopher, writer, and speaker known for popularizing Eastern philosophy, particularly Zen Buddhism, in the Western world. He authored numerous books and delivered lectures on topics like spirituality, mindfulness, and the nature of reality.

Albert Einstein was a German-born physicist who is widely considered one of the most influential scientists in history. He developed the theory of relativity and made groundbreaking contributions to the study of quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and cosmology. Einstein’s work has had a profound impact on modern physics and has helped to shape our understanding of the universe.

Anchoring bias is the tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information received when making decisions, leading to overly confident or biased judgments.

Animal Intelligence is the cognitive capacity and behavioral adaptability of non-human animals, evolved through natural selection. It includes their ability to learn, remember, problem-solve, and interact with their environment effectively.

Anthony de Mello (1931-1987) was a Jesuit priest, spiritual teacher, and author known for his teachings on spirituality, mindfulness, and self-awareness.

Anthro-complexity is the study of the complex systems and processes involved in human societies, including social, economic, political, and cultural phenomena. It is an interdisciplinary field that combines insights from anthropology, sociology, economics, and other social sciences to understand how humans organize and interact in large-scale societies.

The Anthropocene is the current geological epoch in which human activity has dominated the planet’s climate and environment. It is characterized by significant and lasting human impact on the Earth’s geology, ecosystems, and atmosphere, including the acceleration of climate change, deforestation, and the mass extinction of species.

Anthropology is the study of human societies, cultures, and their development, exploring human behavior, evolution, and social structures.

Aporia is a state of perplexity or confusion arising from recognizing the limitations of our knowledge, which spurs further inquiry and wisdom.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence in machines, enabling them to perform tasks that typically require human-like thinking, such as problem-solving, learning, and pattern recognition.

An attitude is a learned tendency (disposition) to evaluate, think, or feel about someone or something (issues, events, objects) in a certain way. It is typically reflected in our behavior.

The availability heuristic is a cognitive bias that occurs when we estimate the likelihood of an event based on how easily we can recall examples of similar events, leading to irrational or biased judgments.

Awareness is the state of being conscious or having knowledge of something; it is the ability to perceive and understand the environment and our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It involves paying attention to the present moment, being curious and open-minded, and clearly understanding ourselves and our surroundings.

Behavioral economics is a field combining psychology and economics to study how biases, emotions, and social factors influence decisions, often leading to irrational choices.

A belief system is a set of interconnected beliefs and values that shape our perception of reality and guide our thoughts and actions.

A belief is an idea that we hold as being correct. It is an acceptance that something exists or is true, whether or not there is proof or evidence. For example, a belief that the earth is round or that fairies exist.

A better world would be more equitable, with less poverty and more access to resources and opportunities for all. It would be a world where everyone is treated with respect and dignity and where we live sustainably and preserve the environment for future generations.

The Big Bang was the sudden emergence of space, time, matter, and energy from a hot, dense singularity about 13.8 billion years ago, marking the beginning of our universe.

Big History is an interdisciplinary approach to history that explores the history of the universe, life, and human civilization from the Big Bang to the present day.

Binary bias is the tendency to simplify complex ideas or issues into two extreme and opposing categories, ignoring nuance and diversity.

Biological intelligence is the natural cognitive abilities and adaptive behaviors of organisms, not including humans, arising through evolution.

A blog is an online journal or informational website where individuals or organizations publish regular content, such as articles or posts, on a specific subject to entertain, educate, or engage readers.

A blook is a web-based multimedia book format that allows for a dynamic, evolving reading experience. It seamlessly integrates text, images, audio, video, and other media, and can be easily accessed on any device. Unlike traditional books, blooks encourage working out loud, facilitating real-time feedback and iteration. Their non-linear, modular structure enables flexible navigation and remixing under Creative Commons licensing.

A book is a written or printed work consisting of pages bound together, containing information, stories, or ideas on various topics, intended for reading and reference purposes.

The human brain is the complex organ in the head that controls the body’s functions and activities, including perception, thought, emotion, and movement.

Brainstorming is a group discussion to produce a list of ideas or solutions to a problem.

Caring is a heartfelt commitment, reflecting genuine concern, empathy, and responsible action towards various aspects of life. It encompasses nurturing the well-being of others, preserving the environment, and delivering quality work, among other things, driven by compassion and a desire to make a positive impact.

A chatbot is a computer program that engages in conversations with users, typically through text or speech. It can provide information, answer questions, perform tasks, and assist with various inquiries, all in a human-like manner.

ChatGPT is a variant of the GPT language model developed by OpenAI for generating human-like text in chatbot conversations. It uses a transformer architecture and is trained on a large dataset of chatbot conversations. It is able to generate context-aware responses and perform tasks such as summarization, translation, and answering questions.

Circle of Influence refers to the things we can control or change, such as our attitudes, behaviors, and choices, as opposed to the “Circle of Concern,” which includes things we cannot directly control but can influence through our proactive efforts.

A Citizens’ Assembly brings together a randomly selected group of citizens to closely examine and discuss a particular issue. After learning about the issue in depth, the citizens make recommendations, though elected politicians ultimately decide whether to follow them. The goal is informed citizen deliberation to advise political decision-making.

Cognition is the mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

A cognitive bias is a way of thinking that deviates from logic and can lead to flawed or irrational judgments. These biases are often caused by the brain’s desire to simplify the way it processes information.

Cognitive surplus refers to the untapped potential of human intellect and creativity that can be harnessed when individuals have free time and access to technology for productive and collaborative activities.

Collaboration is a dynamic process where individuals or groups actively participate, communicate, and share knowledge, skills, and resources to collectively solve problems, achieve goals, and create innovative outcomes through cooperation and teamwork.

Collective intelligence is the capacity of a group to solve problems, make decisions, or create solutions together, leveraging diverse perspectives, knowledge, and expertise for better outcomes.

Colonialism is the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

A community results from a web of complex and interdependent relationships that form over time among individuals who share common interests, values, and aspirations. Community members care deeply about one another and work closely together towards a common purpose.

Communityship is a practice where community members take responsibility for that community’s growth and development.

Complex Responsive Processes view organizations as ongoing patterns of interaction between people. This perspective emphasizes emergent, unpredictable outcomes arising from local interactions, rather than seeing organizations as static systems or structures that can be controlled from the top down.

Compliance refers to the act of adhering to rules, regulations, or standards set by an authority or organization.

Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias where we tend to seek and favor information that confirms ourpreexisting beliefs, leading to distorted or incomplete understanding.

Consciousness is the state of being sensory aware of and responsive to the world around us and of ourselves: our activities, bodies, and mental lives.

Consilience is the idea that knowledge from different fields can be interconnected and mutually reinforcing, leading to a unified understanding of the world.

Continuous self-improvement refers to making incremental changes to ourselves in systematic and ongoing ways. It can be applied to personal development, skills, knowledge, and well-being.

Conversari is a Latin verb meaning “to associate with others,” “to live or dwell,” or “to converse.” In ancient Rome, conversari referred to engaging in friendly, informal conversation or social interaction. It implied spending time with others, exchanging ideas, and participating in intellectual discourse or debate.

A conversation is a verbal exchange of ideas, thoughts, and feelings between two or more people. It involves listening and speaking and can be face-to-face or through a communication device such as a phone or computer, but it must be verbal.

A conversation architect designs powerful, strategic conversations. They determine the questions to trigger the conversations and design the processes to convene and host them.

A conversation covenant is a mutually agreed-upon set of guidelines or rules that guide the tone, content, and flow of dialogue between individuals. It aims to foster respectful and constructive communication, promote active listening, and create a safe space for all participants to share their thoughts and opinions.

Conversational Leadership is a practice where we appreciate the transformative power of conversation, practice leadership, and adopt a conversational approach to how we work with others in a complex world.

Conversational learning is an interactive process where individuals acquire knowledge, skills, and understanding through conversations and dialogue, enabling dynamic exchange of information and fostering deeper learning.

A conversational method is a structured conversational process that brings a group of people together to have a conversation about a topic or an issue.

A Conversational space is an environment fostering dialogue, interaction, and exchange of ideas among individuals.

Creativity is the ability to use imagination and original ideas to produce something new or valuable, whether it be a work of art, a solution to a problem, or an innovation.

Critical thinking is analyzing information and arguments to make sound judgments and decisions. It involves evaluating evidence, considering different perspectives, and using logic and reasoning.

Cultural competence is understanding, appreciating, and effectively interacting with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Cultural evolution refers to the process by which a society’s culture changes over time. It is driven by the transmission of ideas, beliefs, and behaviors from one generation to the next through social learning, rather than through genetic inheritance. Cultural evolution allows societies to adapt to changing environments and improve their way of life, and it has played a crucial role in the development and advancement of human civilization.

Culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that characterize a group or society. It encompasses the social norms, language, literature, art, music, and other forms of expression that are passed down from generation to generation.

Curiosity is the desire to seek new information and experiences. It is a powerful motivator that drives exploration and the pursuit of knowledge and helps us expand our understanding of the world.

The Cynefin Framework is a decision-making tool that categorizes situations into five domains: Clear, Complicated, Complex, Chaotic, and Confused. It helps leaders identify the best approach for different contexts, guiding appropriate responses and strategies.

Daniel Schmachtenberger is a futurist, philosopher, and thought leader who focuses on complex systems, existential risks, and fostering global cooperation. He explores ways to tackle humanity’s most pressing challenges and advocates for sustainable and resilient solutions for the future.

Data refers to raw facts and figures that have yet to be processed or organized. It is the raw material from which information is derived.

David Bohm was born in Pennsylvania in 1917 and died in England in 1992. He was a quantum physicist and philosopher, a contemporary of Einstein, Einstein and a student of Oppenheimer. He was probably one of the most original thinkers of the second half of the twentieth century. He was the inspiration behind the current practice of dialogue and a founder of MIT’s dialogue project.

David Gurteen, a facilitator, speaker and writer, is an expert in Knowledge Management, particularly known for pioneering Conversational Leadership and for creating the Gurteen Knowledge Café method.

David Hume, a Scottish philosopher and historian, was a prominent figure during the Enlightenment, known for his empiricism, skepticism, and influential works on ethics, politics, and religion.

A Death Café is a group gathering where people discuss and explore various aspects of death in a comfortable and supportive environment.

Debate is a formal discussion or argument in which opposing views are presented and discussed in an effort to reach a conclusion or resolution. It can be a verbal or written exchange of ideas and often involves the presentation of evidence and logical reasoning to support one’s position. Debate can be used to explore a variety of topics and can be a valuable tool for learning and critical thinking.

Decision-making is the process of selecting a course of action from a set of alternatives to achieve a desired outcome. It involves identifying and evaluating options, weighing the pros and cons, and choosing the best option based on the available information.

Deductive reasoning is a logical process where a conclusion follows necessarily from given premises. If the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. It moves from the general to the specific, ensuring a logically certain outcome.

Deliberation is the process of carefully considering and discussing options and information before making a decision or judgment. It involves weighing pros and cons, examining different perspectives, and reflecting on the implications of choices. The aim is to make fully informed, well-reasoned decisions through in-depth thought and discussion.

Deliberative democracy is a form of democracy in which public deliberation focused on the common good is central to legitimate decision-making. It enables citizens and officials to consider relevant facts from multiple points of view, discuss issues respectfully, narrow areas of disagreement, and seek common ground solutions.

A demagogue is a political leader who exploits people’s fears, prejudices, and ignorance to gain power and influence, often through divisive rhetoric, false promises, and emotional manipulation rather than reasoned arguments and ethical leadership.

Democracy is a system of governance where citizens participate in decision-making through voting and representation. It upholds individual rights, equality, and accountability of leaders.

A difficult conversation is a conversation that is emotionally challenging or uncomfortable. It often involves discussing a sensitive or delicate topic involving conflict, disagreement, or hurt feelings.

The DIKW (Data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom) pyramid is a flawed model that proposes data, information, knowledge, and wisdom form a pyramid, with each level building upon the previous one.

Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of states or groups, with the aim of resolving disputes, establishing agreements, and promoting cooperation while protecting and advancing respective interests through peaceful means.

Discourse is spoken or written communication between people, especially serious discussion of a particular subject.

Disposition in a person refers to our natural inclination or tendency to act or feel a certain way in a particular situation. It can also describe our overall personality or temperament. Disposition in a system, on the other hand, refers to how the components of the system are arranged or organized, as well as the inherent qualities or characteristics that determine how the system will behave or function under different conditions.

Dissent is the act of expressing disagreement or opposition to a prevailing opinion, policy, or authority.

Distributed cognition is the concept that cognitive processes are not solely located in our minds, but rather are distributed across people, objects, and the environment we interact with.

Dogma is rigid belief or set of principles that is considered unquestionable, often enforced within a particular ideology or institution.

Dominant discourse is the prevailing way of thinking that shapes conversations, reflecting societal power dynamics and significantly influencing perspectives.

A dominant narrative is the widely accepted story or interpretation of events that is reinforced throughout a society. It serves to maintain the status quo by promoting certain beliefs and marginalizing conflicting accounts.

Doubt is a state of uncertainty or hesitation that arises from questioning or lack of confidence in a belief, decision, or understanding.

Embedded cognition is the idea that our cognition is influenced by our physical and social environment.

Embodied cognition is the idea that the mind is not just in the brain but also shaped by the body.

Emergence is the emergence of complex behavior or patterns from simpler components, often through the process of self-organization. It occurs when seemingly simple components of a system interact and give rise to properties or behaviors that are more complex than any of the individual components.

Emotional intelligence is the capacity to perceive, comprehend, manage, appraise, and leverage emotions to communicate and build positive relationships with others. It involves being able to understand our feelings as well as the emotions of others and using that understanding to interact in a productive and meaningful way.

Emotions are complex psychological and physiological states that involve a range of subjective feelings, such as happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and more.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It involves putting ourselves in another’s shoes and sensing their emotions. Empathy is a critical component of emotional intelligence and essential to building and maintaining relationships.

Enactive cognition is the idea that our thoughts and experiences are actively constructed through our actions and interactions with the world.

Enlightenment is a state of gaining deep knowledge, insight, or clarity, often associated with spiritual awakening, personal growth, and increased awareness.

Enlightenment 2.0 is a modern revival of Enlightenment ideals, emphasizing reason, science, and individual liberty, adapted for the digital age and global challenges.

Epistemology is a branch of philosophy that explores the nature of knowledge, including its origins, scope, and limits. It investigates how we acquire knowledge, the criteria for justifying beliefs, and the relationship between belief and truth.

Eric Mazur is a Harvard physicist and educator known for his method called Peer Instruction. He emphasizes student engagement through discussions with peers, promoting deeper understanding and critical thinking.

Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words and how their meanings have changed over time.

Evil is the exercise of political power — that is, the imposition of one’s will upon others by overt or covert coercion — in order to avoid extending one’s self for the purpose of nurturing spiritual growth. Credit: Slightly adapted from a definition by M. Scott Peck

Evolution is the overarching concept that encompasses the gradual development and transformation of various entities, ranging from biological organisms to systems, ideas, technologies, and societies. It involves the processes of change, adaptation, and selection, driven by diverse factors and influenced by the environment, leading to the emergence of new forms and characteristics.

Explicit knowledge is knowledge that has been consciously and deliberately acquired and which can be codified, articulated, and shared as information.

Extended cognition is the idea that our cognitive processes are not confined to our brain or body but can be augmented by external tools and technology.

The extended mind is the idea that cognitive processes can extend beyond the boundaries of the brain and body into the external environment.

The Asian concept of “face” refers to the reputation and honor of an individual or group. It is considered important to maintain face or to avoid actions or situations that may cause shame or embarrassment in order to preserve one’s reputation and standing within a group.

Facilitator bias is the personal, often unconscious bias, by a facilitator who may unwittingly influence a group in a particular direction or towards a specific outcome.

A filter bubble is a state of intellectual isolation that arises when personalized content is presented to users based on their past behavior and preferences, resulting in limited exposure to diverse perspectives.

First Cause denotes the primary, initiating factor behind events, and in a theological context, it implies a divine origin, suggesting a higher power, such as God, as the initial cause of all creation and existence.

Freedom is the power to act, think, and speak without restraint, and the right to pursue one’s own desires and beliefs.

Freedom of speech is the right to express opinions without censorship or restraint.

Generative AI (GenAI) refers to artificial intelligence systems that can create original and creative content, such as images, text, or music, based on patterns and examples from training data.

To give face means to show respect or deference to someone, often as a way of maintaining or enhancing their reputation and honor. It is an idiom that is particularly important in many Asian cultures, where the concept of “face” – or the reputation and honor of an individual or group – is highly valued.

Global consciousness is a collective awareness and shared values among humans worldwide, emphasizing global unity, empathy, and action towards common challenges and sustainability.

Global society is the interconnected network of individuals, communities, and nations transcending borders, united by shared challenges, values, and aspirations, emphasizing collective responsibility in addressing global issues and promoting cooperation for the well-being of humanity.

Good faith is a term used to describe honesty, sincerity, and a genuine intention to act in a trustworthy and fair manner regardless of the outcome of the interaction. It involves being honest, trustworthy, and sincere in our actions and words and not acting in a way that is deceptive or malicious.

Gossip is informal talk or rumors about others that can be both positive (praise) and negative (criticism). It can create social bonds and provide entertainment but also spread false information and harm reputations.

Group polarization is the tendency for group discussions to result in a more extreme version of the group’s initial position due to a lack of consideration for alternative viewpoints and a tendency to advocate for one’s own views.

Groupthink is a cognitive bias that occurs when group members prioritize harmony and conformity over critical thinking and independent decision-making, leading to poor decision-making and a lack of creativity.

Habits are actions or behaviors that we repeat regularly and tend to occur subconsciously. They shape our daily routines and can positively or negatively impact our lives.

Hank Kune is a futurist, educator, and innovator known for his work in organizational learning and knowledge management.

Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862) was a renowned American author, philosopher, and naturalist. He’s best known for his book “Walden,” advocating simple living in nature and civil disobedience as a means of protest against unjust government actions.

A huddle is a brief team gathering to discuss goals, progress, and coordinate tasks.

Human intelligence is the capacity to acquire, process, and apply knowledge effectively, solving problems, adapting to new situations, and demonstrating creativity and emotional understanding.

Humanity is the intricate tapestry of diverse individuals, cultures, and aspirations, bound by our shared existence and pursuit of connection, progress, and understanding.

Humor is the ability to create amusement or laughter through words, actions, or situations that are clever, absurd, or unexpected. It often involves a play on words, irony, satire, or exaggeration.

Ideation is the creative process of generating, developing, and refining ideas, often used in problem-solving, innovation, and brainstorming.

Ignorance is the lack of knowledge, understanding, or awareness about a particular subject or topic, resulting in the absence of information or comprehension about it.

Implicit knowledge is knowledge that is not explicitly stated or consciously known but instead is inferred or acquired through experience or exposure. It is often unconscious and automatic and is difficult to articulate.

An impossible conversation feels futile because it takes place between people who hold radically different ideas, beliefs, morals, politics, or worldviews. It is one where people are likely to argue and even fight if no rules govern the conservation.

Inductive reasoning involves drawing general conclusions from specific observations. It moves from the specific to the general, suggesting probable outcomes based on patterns and evidence. Conclusions are likely but not guaranteed to be true.

Influence is the power to affect or shape someone’s thoughts, actions, or decisions, often resulting from authority, persuasion, or example.

Information is a broad term that refers to data or facts. This can include news articles, data sets, reports, instructions, manuals, and more. It can be used to convey ideas, concepts, or instructions, and it can also be used to support problem-solving, decision-making, and other efforts.

Information Management (IM) is practiced through activities that support the capture, storage, categorization, and distribution of information.

Innovation is the process of creating something new or improving an existing product, service, or process to add value and meet a need.

Instinct is a natural or inherent tendency, impulse, or inclination. It is a behavior that is not learned through experience or education but rather is innate or innate behavior.

Intelligence, in its broadest sense, is the ability to comprehend and purposefully react to information, usually sensory data from the surrounding environment. This definition applies equally to intelligence in biological organisms like humans and artificial entities like machines.

An interview is a structured one-on-one conversation between two parties where one participant, the interviewer, asks questions and the other, the interviewee, responds. The purpose is usually to solicit information or the views of the interviewee.

Intuition is an unconscious process of understanding or knowing something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning or evidence.

The Johari Window is a popular psychological tool used in self-help, therapy, and organizational settings to improve self-awareness, personal development, and interpersonal relationships by highlighting the differences between what we know about ourselves and what others know about us.

John Holt was an American educator and author known for his advocacy of homeschooling and his critical views on traditional schooling methods. He believed in self-directed learning and empowering children to explore their interests and curiosity.

Johnnie Moore is a British facilitator, author, and consultant known for his expertise in creating conversations that matter and helping organizations develop effective communication strategies.

Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist and author known for his research on moral psychology, political psychology, and the psychology of religion.

Karl-Erik Sveiby is a Swedish author and management expert known for his work in knowledge management and intellectual capital.

Knowledge is a broad term that refers to the understanding and familiarity with a particular subject or area. It is a collection of facts, information, and skills that are acquired through experience or education. It includes the understanding of complex ideas and concepts and the ability to apply this understanding to new situations.

The Knowledge Café is a conversational method that gathers a group of people to share knowledge and experiences, learn from one another, build relationships, and make better sense of a rapidly changing, complex, less predictable world. The aim is to improve decision-making, innovation, and collaboration.

Knowledge Management (KM) is practiced through activities that support making sense of information, decision-making, strategy formulation and implementation, learning, creativity, and innovation.

Knowledge sharing is the process of exchanging information, ideas, and expertise among individuals or groups. It helps to improve understanding, increase efficiency, and foster collaboration and innovation.

Language is a complex, structured system of communication that humans use to convey thoughts, ideas, and emotions through spoken, written, or gestural symbols. It enables individuals to share information, express feelings, and interact with others, fostering connection and understanding within societies and across cultures.

A large language model is an advanced AI system trained on vast amounts of text data to understand and generate human-like language, enabling tasks such as translation, summarization, and conversation. It uses deep learning techniques to process and predict text.

Leadership is the art of guiding, inspiring, and influencing a group or organization to achieve common goals, fostering growth and positive change.

“Leadership as practice” is an approach to understanding leadership that emphasizes the everyday actions and behaviors of leaders and the role of leadership as a skill that can be learned and developed through practice. It recognizes that different situations may require different leadership approaches and styles and that effective leadership involves the ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances.

Learning is the process of acquiring new knowledge, skills, or behaviors through experience, practice, or study. It involves understanding and internalizing information and applying it to new situations.

Listening is the act of paying attention to and comprehending sounds or spoken words, allowing for understanding, empathy, and effective communication.

London coffeehouses were public places where people would go to socialize, conduct business, and consume coffee and other beverages. They first appeared in the city in the mid-17th century and quickly became popular, with hundreds of coffeehouses opening up in the capital over the following decades.

Longtermism is a philosophical viewpoint that prioritizes the future consequences of present actions over short-term gains, recognizing the lasting impact our choices have on future generations and the world.

To lose face means losing the respect or dignity of others, often due to being humiliated or experiencing public disgrace. It is an idiom that is used in many cultures around the world.

Love is the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth. Credit: Slightly adapted from a definition by M. Scott Peck

Meaning is the purpose and significance attributed to something, giving it a sense of value, understanding, or relevance in our life or the world.

The meaning of life encompasses discovering personal purpose, seeking fulfillment, finding happiness, and making sense of our existence.

Meg Wheatley is a renowned author and management consultant known for her work on leadership, systems thinking, and organizational change.

The meta-crisis is the convergence of multiple global challenges—such as climate change, economic instability, political polarization, and technological disruption—creating a situation where these issues are deeply interconnected and exacerbate one another. This crisis highlights the limitations of current systems in addressing these overlapping and escalating problems.

Michael Oakeshott (1901-1990) was a British philosopher and political theorist. He is known for his writings on conservatism, liberalism, and the philosophy of history.

Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) was a French philosopher and essayist who believed that conversation was the best way to explore ideas. In his writings, he emphasized the importance of engaging in lively and meaningful conversations as a way to better understand oneself and others. Montaigne believed that through conversation, people could challenge their own beliefs, learn from others, and come to a deeper appreciation of the complexity of human nature.

The 4E cognition perspective sees the mind as an embodied, embedded, enactive, and extended process that emerges from the interactions between the body, environment, and social context. It is not limited to the brain and continuously evolves through our interactions with the world.

Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. It is a form of meditation that involves paying attention to the present moment in a non-judgmental way, and it has been found to have several benefits for mental and physical health.

Mindsets are our mental attitudes or approaches to a particular situation or task. They significantly influence our behavior, decisions, and outcomes. Our mindsets are shaped by our beliefs, values, and experiences and impact our ability to adapt to change, solve problems, and achieve goals.

A mirror neuron is a specialized brain cell that activates when an individual performs an action and when they observe the same action performed by another. These neurons enable understanding, imitation, and empathy, enhancing learning, communication, and emotional resonance in social interactions.

Misinformation is false or misleading information spread unintentionally, causing confusion or deception.

Morals are shared cultural norms and values that guide individuals on how to behave in society. These norms are shaped by social, emotional, and intuitive factors and are based on ideas of right and wrong, good and bad, and justice. Morals vary across cultures and communities.

Motivated reasoning is a cognitive bias where we selectively evaluate evidence and arguments in a way that confirms our preexisting beliefs or biases. It can lead to distorted or irrational thinking and hinders our ability to make objective, unbiased decisions.

The multipolar trap is a term used to describe a situation where self-interest compels multiple parties to act against their collective interest, leading to detrimental outcomes or even destruction.

A narrative has two meanings. It is 1) a story or account of a series of events, or 2) a representation of a particular situation or process that conforms to or promotes an overarching set of aims, values, or perspectives.

Narrative paradigm is a communication theory proposing that people are persuaded by stories and narratives that align with their values and experiences.

Narrative warfare is the attempts to influence perceptions and gain power by promoting biased narratives and attacking opposing narratives. It’s the strategic use of storytelling and information dissemination to reinforce certain ideologies, marginalize dissenting views, and convince target audiences to support desired policies and actions. The narratives may or may not be factually accurate.

The use of economic, political, and cultural means to control a formerly colonized country without direct military or political domination.

New Age is a broad movement that promotes spiritual practices, alternative medicine, and beliefs often centered on concepts like energy, reincarnation, and holistic healing.

Open Strategy is an approach to strategic planning where employees are given the opportunity to participate in the formulation and implementation of an organization’s strategy.

Open-mindedness is the willingness to seek and weigh evidence that challenges our favored beliefs, plans, or objectives.

Oracy is the ability to speak persuasively, articulate thoughts and ideas clearly, listen powerfully to others, clarify our own ideas and understanding, influence each other through conversation, and express our views with confidence and humility.

Orality is the practice of transmitting knowledge, culture, and traditions through spoken language and oral traditions rather than written texts.

Peer instruction is a teaching method where students actively engage in discussions to enhance understanding, with peers helping each other learn.

Peer learning is a collaborative approach where individuals learn from and with each other, sharing knowledge, experiences, and insights to enhance understanding and problem-solving skills.

Personal development is improving our knowledge, skills, and overall well-being to achieve our personal goals. It can encompass physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth.

Peter Block is a consultant, speaker, and author in the field of organizational development. He is known for his work on creating more empowered and engaged workplaces through community-building and collaboration.

Peter Koestenbaum (1928-2017) was a philosopher, existentialist, and leadership consultant known for his work on the nature of human existence and leadership.

Philosophy is the study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.

Polarization is the tendency for opinions, beliefs or groups in society to increasingly diverge toward ideological extremes or oppositional positions, losing common ground.

A political narrative is a story constructed by an individual or group to influence how people understand and interpret issues and events. It weaves selective facts and appeals to emotion to promote a biased perspective, often aligning with an ideological agenda.

In its broadest sense, politics is the actions or activities of a person or group to influence or control decisions and the outcomes of those decisions within a specific group context, e.g., a country, community, or organization. These actions or activities include gaining power or helping others achieve power and consequently influencing or controlling the decisions and outcomes.

Pope Francis heads the Roman Catholic Church and is the Bishop of Rome. He was elected in 2013 and is known for his progressive views on social issues, emphasis on mercy and compassion, and efforts to reform the Vatican bureaucracy.

Positive deviance is a problem-solving approach that focuses on identifying and studying successful individuals or groups within a community who have found uncommon but successful solutions to a common problem, and then encouraging the broader community to adopt these practices.

Power is the ability to control or influence others, events, or circumstances to achieve desired outcomes or goals, often through authority, resources, or persuasion.

A practice is the repetition of specific activities or behaviors to attain our goals over time.

Programmed intelligence is when a machine or software has limited abilities based on its original programming. It cannot learn or adapt on its own. Examples are basic devices like thermostats just following preset rules. They have no flexibility or real understanding.

Prompt engineering is writing prompts carefully to get the best answers from GenAI systems like ChatGPT. It means using certain words, tones, and structures to show the AI what kind of response you want. The goal is to get more helpful, creative, and human-like answers by giving the AI context and hints about your intent.

Pseudoscience is the beliefs or practices that claim to be scientific but lack scientific evidence, are not based on scientific methods, or are contradicted by well-established scientific facts. It frequently masquerades as science and is often promoted as legitimate.

Public discourse refers to communication and debate around issues of public concern and common interest. It occurs through various media and platforms – speeches, broadcasting, publications, social media etc. Public discourse aims to inform public opinion and mediate between private interests and the decision-making state. It’s essential for an open society and democracy.

The public sphere refers to the metaphorical space where individuals gather to freely discuss and identify societal problems, and through that discussion influence political action. It relies on freedom of assembly, association, expression and access to information. Conceptualized by Jürgen Habermas, the public sphere is necessary for a functioning democracy.

Purpose is the reason or intention behind something’s existence or the desired outcome or goal it aims to achieve.

The purpose of life is our pursuit of personal fulfillment, growth, and happiness, while contributing to the world and forming meaningful relationships. It is the overarching aim that gives life meaning and direction.

A randomized coffee trial, also known as an RCT, is a social experiment where individuals are randomly matched for coffee meetings, aiming to facilitate serendipitous connections, knowledge sharing, and relationship building in a casual setting.

Reasoning is the process of thinking about something logically in order to form a conclusion or make a decision. It involves using evidence and considering different perspectives in order to arrive at a reasonable conclusion.

Reframing is a technique that we use to shift our mindset, allowing us to view a situation, person, or relationship from a different perspective.

The Renaissance was a cultural and artistic revival in Europe during the 14th to 17th centuries, marked by a renewed interest in classical learning, humanism, and creativity, leading to significant advancements in art, science, and literature.

The representativeness heuristic is a cognitive bias that occurs when we judge the likelihood of an event based on its similarity to a typical example, ignoring relevant statistical information.

Respect is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important, valuable, or worthy of admiration. It involves treating others with dignity, honor, and consideration and valuing their worth and feelings.

Responsibility is an internal commitment to a moral obligation or duty that we choose to take on. We feel intrinsically compelled to fulfill responsibilities because of our values.

Rhetoric is a skill that involves communicating and persuading effectively through language. It encompasses various techniques for using language persuasively, such as persuasive appeals and figurative language.

Richard Yonck is a futurist examining how technologies like AI, robotics, and brain-computer interfaces may profoundly augment human capabilities and cognition.

Roger Bacon was a medieval English philosopher and scientist. He is considered one of the pioneers of the scientific method and made significant contributions to fields such as optics, mathematics, and linguistics.

Ronald Heifetz is a leadership expert and Harvard professor known for his work on adaptive leadership, helping individuals and organizations address complex challenges and adapt to change.

A salon is a social gathering or venue where people engage in intellectual discussions, artistic performances, or social interactions, often centered around cultural, political, or philosophical topics.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was an influential English writer, lexicographer, and critic. He authored “A Dictionary of the English Language” and made significant contributions to English literature, known for his wit and literary essays.

Science curiosity is an interest in and desire to learn more about the scientific concepts and phenomena that shape our world. It is characterized by a natural curiosity about how things work and a willingness to ask questions, explore, and seek answers through observation and experimentation.

M. Scott Peck was an American psychiatrist and best-selling author, best known for his self-help book “The Road Less Traveled.” He wrote extensively on spiritual growth, human behavior, and mental health and was a popular speaker and lecturer.

Self refers to the non-physical aspects of a person, such as our personality and abilities, that make us distinct and unique from others. It encompasses our sense of identity, consciousness, and self-awareness and helps to shape how we perceive and navigate the world around us.

Self-awareness is the capacity to perceive and understand oneself as an individual, with unique thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It involves being conscious of one’s identity, personality, emotions, desires, and place in the world

Self-serving bias is a cognitive bias where we tend to attribute successes to personal factors and failures to external factors, leading to an overly positive view of ourselves.

Sensemaking is the process of understanding and interpreting events, situations, or information in order to make sense of them and make informed decisions. It involves gathering and analyzing data, generating hypotheses and theories, and reflecting on our own and others’ perspectives.

Sentience is the capacity to experience sensations, thoughts, and feelings, and to have subjective experiences. It involves being aware of one’s surroundings, having a sense of self, and possessing the ability to perceive and respond to stimuli. Sentient beings are considered to have a level of consciousness, and their experiences are subjective and unique to them.

Serendipity is the fortunate and unexpected discovery of valuable things, information, connections, or people, often arising by chance while in pursuit of unrelated goals.

Sermo is an informal and spontaneous mode of communication that allows people to express their thoughts and opinions conversationally. It is a way to engage in relaxed and natural exchanges of ideas It played a significant role in ancient Roman social life and during the Enlightenment, a similar style of discourse emerged in the salons and coffeehouses, allowing intellectuals to converse freely and debate diverse perspectives.

Seth Godin is a renowned author, entrepreneur, and marketing expert known for his insights on creativity, leadership, and business strategy.

A skill is a learned ability to perform a specific task or activity acquired through training, experience, or practice. It can be physical, mental, or technical in nature.

Social capital refers to the intangible social resources that individuals and communities possess, including social connections, shared values, and mutual trust.

Social interaction is the exchange of information and communication between individuals involving shared activities and behaviors in a given social context.

Social loafing is the phenomenon where we tend to reduce our effort when working in a group, as we feel that our contribution will be less noticeable or less important.

Speak truth to power” means saying what we believe to be true to someone in authority who might take it as a criticism or be offended and who can punish us in some way.

“Speak up” means to express our beliefs, ideas, or opinions courageously and honestly, without fear of judgment, and with the aim of making a point or advocating for ourselves or others.

Spirituality means a deep appreciation, respect, and love for the universe, the world, all life, and humanity — a sense of connectedness, awe, wonder, and curiosity — a deep understanding of being human and alive.

A stochastic parrot is a type of artificial intelligence system that generates random or probabilistic outputs by recombining elements from its training data, without any actual comprehension or reasoning about that data.

A story is a narrative that conveys events, characters, or experiences, often with a beginning, middle, and end, to convey a message or entertain.

Storytelling is the art of conveying information or emotions through a structured narrative, engaging an audience’s imagination and empathy.

A strategic conversation has the potential to influence the future direction of an individual, an organization, a community, a society, or the world.

Strategic Foresight is a proactive approach to preparing for the future by exploring trends and uncertainties to inform strategic decisions.

A strategy is a plan of action designed to achieve a specific goal. It involves making decisions about the resources and actions needed to achieve the goal and analyzing potential risks and benefits.

Street epistemology is a form of discourse typically conducted in public settings to respectfully examine and possibly adjust deeply entrenched personal beliefs using the Socratic method.

A system is a set of interconnected, interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements such as people, ideas or things that forms a whole and is coherently organized in a way that achieves something.

Systemic intelligence is the adaptive, self-organizing ability within complex systems to optimize performance in dynamic environments.

Tacit knowledge is knowledge that is not easily expressed or codified in a way that can be shared with others or transferred to other people. It is experiential and context-specific, and it is often acquired through practice, observation, and interaction with others. It includes things that are deeply personal and unique to an individual, such as skills, habits, and experiences.

Teleology is the belief that objects/events have an inherent purpose or goal, driven by a final cause. For instance, an acorn’s purpose is to grow into an oak tree.

The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement in the 18th century that championed reason, individualism, and human rights, challenging traditional authority and promoting progress and science.

Theodore Zeldin is a British historian, author, and philosopher specializing in the history of emotions and human relationships.

Tolerance is a social agreement to peacefully coexist with those who differ from us, as long as they reciprocate and don’t infringe on others’ rights or safety. It’s not unconditional, but a mutual pact for societal harmony.

Tragedy of the Commons is a concept that describes the phenomenon where the shared exploitation of a common resource by individuals leads to its depletion or degradation, negatively impacting the collective well-being.

Tribal thinking is a form of cognitive bias where we tend to conform to the beliefs and attitudes of one of our tribal groups. It can lead to a lack of critical thinking, an inability to consider alternative perspectives, and inter-group conflict.

A tribe is a social group defined by its culture, language, and way of life. Tribal identity can refer to a person’s connection to their tribe and their shared cultural traditions and values.

Trust is the confidence that people, organizations, institutions, and systems will act with integrity and in a way that does not deliberately cause harm. When we trust, we believe others will behave reliably and honestly, fulfilling their expected roles for the common good.

Truth is the correspondence between a statement, belief, or proposition and objective reality, reflecting accuracy, sincerity, and factual validity.

Turn-taking is the process of alternating between speaking and listening during a conversation, following social rules and being sensitive to cues.

Unintended consequences refer to unanticipated outcomes or effects that arise from actions, decisions, or events, often with unintended and sometimes negative impacts that were not initially foreseen or intended.

Use of Self is the practice of utilizing our unique combination of qualities to be more effective in our work.

A value is a long-lasting belief we hold that something is good or desirable. They are the principles and ideas that we think are important. Values are ideals. They are a particular type of belief. They include honesty, integrity, and trust. They are the things we care about.

Dave Snowden’s Vector Theory of Change focuses on setting adaptable directions (vectors) rather than fixed goals. Emphasizing continuous sensing, experimentation, and adaptation, it allows organizations to navigate change dynamically, responding to emerging challenges and opportunities with flexibility.

A video short or reel is a short-form vertical video 60 seconds or less optimized for mobile creation and viewing.

Vienna coffeehouses are traditional coffee houses in Vienna, Austria, that have been around for centuries and have played a significant role in the city’s history and culture.

Victor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, and Holocaust survivor who developed the psychological approach of logotherapy, emphasizing the search for meaning in life.

Walter Ong was a renowned American scholar and cultural theorist who extensively studied the impact of communication technologies on human consciousness, particularly emphasizing the significance of orality and literacy in shaping cultures and modes of thought.

William Osler (1849-1919) was a Canadian physician, pioneer of modern medicine who emphasized medical education, bedside teaching, and compassionate patient care.

Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments. It is a combination of understanding, common sense, and insight that enables us to see the bigger picture and consider the long-term consequences of our actions. Wisdom also involves the ability to adapt and learn from past mistakes and being able to discern right from wrong.

Wisdom of crowds is the collective intelligence that arises when a diverse group makes decisions, often outperforming individual judgments.

World #1 is the old, natural world that served as our habitat for 150,000 years, fostering our evolution and existence.

World #2 is the socio-technical-economic realm we have built over the past 50,000 years. It encompasses the advancements made during the first industrial revolution and the subsequent 250 years, as well as the progress achieved in the last 75 years since the third industrial revolution.