an online book by David Gurteen
In this chapter, I list all the posts still searching for their place in the structure of this blook. Sooner or later, I will allocate most of them to a specific chapter.
We often make quick judgments without noticing the steps behind them. The Ladder of Inference shows how we move from observation to action, shaping our beliefs and actions. Rethinking this process in a complex world can help us respond with greater care and awareness. Continue reading Rethinking the Ladder of Inference in a Complex World From inference to influence
We’ve long treated productivity as a race to do more in less time. But when creativity depends on research, writing, and clarity, good ideas often stall before they start. Language models like ChatGPT help us move from thought to action faster, changing how we think, work, and create. Continue reading Rethinking Productivity with LLMs ** How LLMs help us move from idea to impact
Government Townhall Presentation Continue reading Facilitating Dialogue on AI Policy UNESCO Knowledge Café Experience
We’re often told curiosity helps us learn more, lead better, or think creatively. But when treated only as a tool, its deeper meaning gets lost. What if curiosity isn’t just useful—but a way of caring, connecting, and being more fully present in the world? Continue reading The Care in Curiosity ** Seeing it not as a tool, but a way of being with the world
Curiosity didn’t begin as a quest for knowledge but as an act of care. Over time, we’ve separated inquiry from emotion, treating curiosity as a mental exercise. But its origins reveal a deeper truth: to be curious is to care enough to pay attention. Continue reading The Surprising Etymology of Curiosity A history rooted in care
Leadership is often seen as providing guidance and security. However, authentic leadership may lie in confronting people with their own freedom, even when they resist it. Understanding this tension can help us rethink power, responsibility, and the choices we make in politics, religion, and the age of AI. Continue reading Peter Block, the Grand Inquisitor, and Leadership Leadership, freedom, and the burden of responsibility
Peter Block, the Grand Inquisitor, and Leadership Critical Thinking Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Societies often assume that virtue leads to prosperity, but history suggests a more complex reality. Efforts to eliminate self-interest can unintentionally suppress … Continue reading The Fable of the Bees Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits
The Fable of the Bees Writing with AI Isn’t Necessarily Cheating Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Only Me Continue reading Critical Thinking How to challenge your own assumptions
Critical Thinking The Vector of Great Conversations Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close AI tools are becoming common in writing, raising questions about their role and ethics. Many worry that using AI might undermine creativity or authenticity. … Continue reading Writing with AI Isn’t Necessarily Cheating Why it’s a legitimate tool for professionals and creators
Writing with AI Isn’t Necessarily Cheating Protected: My Writing Process ## Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Conversations shape how we understand and adapt to change. When dialogue is restricted by rigid goals or constrained by fixed … Continue reading The Vector of Great Conversations A parallel between the vector theory of change and conversational leadership
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. Continue reading Protected: My Writing Process ## Efficient writing with various technology tools
Effective knowledge sharing is crucial for innovation and success in today’s world. However, many organizations struggle to nurture a culture of collaboration. Implementing Knowledge Cafés offers a practical pathway to enhance knowledge sharing and cultivate a collaborative environment. Continue reading Nurturing a Collaborative Culture Through Knowledge Cafés Using Knowledge Cafés to bridge silos and encourage open dialogue
Nurturing a Collaborative Culture Through Knowledge Cafés Crafting Writing That Drives Change Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Continue reading Diplomacy ##
Diplomacy ## Write to Think ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Conventional writing wisdom is often misguided. Larry McEnerney, the retired director of the University of Chicago’s Writing Program, challenges outdated conceptions of good writing that … Continue reading Crafting Writing That Drives Change Larry McEnerney’s insights on good writing
Crafting Writing That Drives Change Cognitive Surplus Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close The advent of AI writing assistants like ChatGPT has led some to question whether writing by hand is still a critical skill. After all, … Continue reading Write to Think **
Write to Think ** Pay It Forward ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close The digital age has given us more free time and tools for collaboration than ever before. Yet much of this potential remains untapped, … Continue reading Cognitive Surplus Untapping our human potential
Cognitive Surplus Multipolar Traps or Moloch Traps Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close In the timeline of history, we benefit from the hard work, innovation, and progress made by many generations before us. Our ancestor’s choices have … Continue reading Pay It Forward ** Now and for future generatios
Pay It Forward ** Avoiding Modern-day Colonialism Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close In a complex world facing many challenges, multipolar traps emerge when self-interests conflict with collective well-being, leading to detrimental outcomes. To break free, we … Continue reading Multipolar Traps or Moloch Traps Acting against our collective interests
Multipolar Traps or Moloch Traps Relationships ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Colonialism has historically referred to the domination and control of one group or nation over another. However, the language of colonialism has recently been … Continue reading Avoiding Modern-day Colonialism Colonialism: the dominance, control, and exploitation by one group over another
Avoiding Modern-day Colonialism Spirituality Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Edgar and Peter Schein’s four levels of relationship: Level Minus 1: Total impersonal domination and coercion. Level 1: Transactional role and rule-based supervision, service, and all forms … Continue reading Relationships ** The way in which two or more people are connected
Relationships ** Circles of Engagement ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Spirituality often lacks a clear, universally accepted definition, leading to confusion and misconceptions. Many associate it with religion, but spirituality can also exist outside religious … Continue reading Spirituality A deep appreciation, respect, and love for the universe, the world, all life, and humanity
Life presents numerous challenges and opportunities. It is crucial to identify areas under our control versus those beyond our influence. The “Circles of Engagement” model guides us in directing efforts where they can create meaningful change. Continue reading Circles of Engagement ** Aligning efforts with impact
Circles of Engagement ** What Would Make a Better World? Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close The term “signal-to-noise ratio” is a useful metaphor when discussing the pollution of the information ecosystem with misinformation, disinformation, or situations … Continue reading Signal-to-noise Ratio The ratio of useful or true information to false or irrelevant data
Signal-to-noise Ratio Predicting the Future Is a Fools’ Errand ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close I write about nurturing a better world in this blook but better is a value-laden word. Better for who? Even Adolf … Continue reading What Would Make a Better World? Many things
What Would Make a Better World? Personal Power ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Predicting the future is a fool’s errand, but we can help create it. We live in a complex socio-technical system — a … Continue reading Predicting the Future Is a Fools’ Errand ** But we can help create it
Predicting the Future Is a Fools’ Errand ** Global Consciousness Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close We hold more potential today than ever to transform the world. Since the turn of the millennium, we have gained unprecedented … Continue reading Personal Power ** We hold more potential today than ever to transform the world
What is global consciousness? Before answering that question, we need to look at the terms consciousness, collective consciousness, and higher consciousness as they are poorly understood. Continue reading Global Consciousness The capacity and disposition to understand and act upon global issues
Curiosity fuels human progress. Today’s complex world can dampen our natural inquisitiveness. Encouraging questions help us understand change, find new ideas, and keep learning. Continue reading The Power of Curiosity ** Driving human progress
The Power of Curiosity ** The History of Conversational Leadership Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close I want to look at three related concepts, power, influence, and leadership, and explore their meaning in the context of Conversational … Continue reading Influential Power ** You can never not influence
Conversational Leadership is a relatively young, rapidly evolving discipline. Although much has been written about the power of conversation over the years, I am interested here in published material that refers specifically to the term Conversational Leadership or closely related concepts. Continue reading The History of Conversational Leadership 1985 to today
In complex work, measurement can help us learn and improve—but only if we’re clear about what matters. Too often, targets are imposed without context, creating distortion instead of insight. A better way is to design measures with those doing the work, turning them into tools for shared understanding. Continue reading Measures, Targets, Rewards and Punishments When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure
Measures, Targets, Rewards and Punishments Zoom Virtual Knowledge Cafés ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Resources Forbes: Consensus – Team Building’s Silent Killer Blog Post: The trouble with the consensus model Dave Snowden: On navigating conflict … Continue reading Consensus ** The trouble with consenus
Consensus ** Changing People ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close The Knowledge Café A Knowledge Café gathers 12 to 30 people together to have a conversation. It typically consists of a short presentation on a topic … Continue reading Zoom Virtual Knowledge Cafés **
Change is a constant aspect of our lives, gradually shaping our identities. However, we face difficulties when attempting to change others’ behaviors. Direct attempts to control or coerce usually result in resistance and unintended consequences. Embracing a conversational approach can help us navigate change more effectively, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration. Continue reading Changing People ** The challenge of trying to change people
Changing People ** Be Open and Transparent ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close We are familiar with the concept of cause and effect, and in most situations, it is apparent which is the cause and which … Continue reading Reversing Cause and Effect The conversation creates the speakers
Reversing Cause and Effect Learning ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close When considering knowledge sharing or creating a more collaborative culture, we often talk about the need for people to be open and transparent. These two … Continue reading Be Open and Transparent ** Key traits of knowledge workers
Be Open and Transparent ** When It Comes to Lectures, Appearances Can Be Deceiving ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Learning is not about teaching or training. Personally I’m always ready to learn, although I do … Continue reading Learning **
Learning ** The Mind Is a Fire to Be Kindled Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Imagine you receive the same lecture twice: once from a charismatic lecturer speaking fluently without notes and maintaining eye contact; and … Continue reading When It Comes to Lectures, Appearances Can Be Deceiving ** Eric Mazur thought he was a good teacher until he discovered his students were just memorizing information
When It Comes to Lectures, Appearances Can Be Deceiving ** Learn to Listen and to Tell the Truth Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Whether it is our educational systems or the presentations we give at conferences, … Continue reading The Mind Is a Fire to Be Kindled Not a vessel to be filled
The Mind Is a Fire to Be Kindled The Fourth Industrial Revolution Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Do we listen, to confirm what we already think or do we listen in order to reply? Or do … Continue reading Learn to Listen and to Tell the Truth Do we listen, to confirm what we already think or do we listen in order to reply?
Learn to Listen and to Tell the Truth Evidence for a Collective Intelligence Factor in the Performance of Human Groups ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close The complexity of the world is accelerating as we enter … Continue reading The Fourth Industrial Revolution A new era of connectedness and complexity
The Fourth Industrial Revolution How to Design Powerful Questions Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Evidence for a Collective Intelligence Factor in the Performance of Human Groups By Anita Williams Woolley, Christopher F. Chabris, Alexander Pentland, Nada … Continue reading Evidence for a Collective Intelligence Factor in the Performance of Human Groups **
Evidence for a Collective Intelligence Factor in the Performance of Human Groups ** The Mehrabian Myth Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Questions shape our understanding and actions. The right questions spark curiosity, challenge assumptions, and lead … Continue reading How to Design Powerful Questions Questions open the door to dialogue and discovery
Albert Mehrabian never claimed the false assertion that 93% of our communication is nonverbal. Non-verbal signals play a role in communication, but they are not more important than words. Continue reading The Mehrabian Myth It is not true that 93% of our communication is nonverbal
Deep-rooted social and health challenges often seem insurmountable in communities worldwide. Positive Deviance (PD), a strategy born from a nutrition project in Vietnam, illuminates the power of outlier practices to combat such issues. Valuing local wisdom and behaviors offers a sustainable blueprint for transformative, community-driven change. Continue reading Positive Deviance in Action How everyday outliers spark lasting community change
Positive Deviance in Action Hawthorne Effect Myth Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close The New Science of Building Great Teams By Alexander Pentland April 2012 Harvard Business Review • Characteristics of successful teams 1. Everyone talks & … Continue reading The New Science of Building Great Teams ** 35% of variation in team performance is accounted for by the amount of face-to-face communication
The New Science of Building Great Teams ** Is Noise Always Bad? ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close The research underpinning the Hawthorne effect was flawed, and the story is a myth though being watched does … Continue reading Hawthorne Effect Myth Being watched affects your behavior
Hawthorne Effect Myth Change ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Whenever I wish to write something creative or reflect on an issue or problem, I have always found that a Café is one of the best … Continue reading Is Noise Always Bad? ** Exploring the Effects of Ambient Noise on Creative Cognition
Is Noise Always Bad? ** Conversational Post-project Reviews ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close [Status: stub] POST NAVIGATION Is Noise Always Bad? ** Conversational Post-project Reviews ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the … Continue reading Change **
Change ** Everything Is Fragmented ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Traditional post-project reviews are often not very useful. The Knowledge Café has the potential to inject some life into them. In project management, many post-project … Continue reading Conversational Post-project Reviews **
Conversational Post-project Reviews ** Entrenched Thinking Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Everything is fragmented. The more you structure material, the more you summarize, the more you make material specific to a context or time, the less … Continue reading Everything Is Fragmented ** Fragmentation
Everything Is Fragmented ** Entrained Thinking Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Entrenched thinking is the lack of desire or ability to accept new ideas — to venture outside the entrenchments Gurteen Knowledge Café: Entrenched and entrained … Continue reading Entrenched Thinking The lack of desire or ability to accept new ideas
Entrenched Thinking Managers Are Employees Too ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Entrained thinking is a conditioned response that occurs when people are blinded to new ways of thinking by the perspectives they acquired through past … Continue reading Entrained Thinking Blinded to new ways of thinking by perspectives acquired through past experience
Entrained Thinking Rethinking the Ladder of Inference in a Complex World Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close There is a problem when talking about organizational life: our use of language. Managers are called managers, and their so-called … Continue reading Managers Are Employees Too ** They can be hired, fired and appraised just like everyone else
