As of 29th December 2020, this is officially my new blog. It replaces my old blog on gurteen.com.
Finding Value in the Unexpected The hidden power of serendipity in our lives December 20, 2024 12:34 pm - In a post in my blook, I explore the unexpected yet pivotal role serendipity can play in our lives. Serendipity… … Chatbots as Critical Thinking Partners Video Bibliotheca Alexandrina December 18, 2024 6:08 pm - This is a pre-recorded video talk Chatbots as Critical Thinking Partners that I presented at the AI Challenges & Adaptations… … Lessons From Google’s 20% Policy Fostering creativity through employee autonomy December 18, 2024 5:37 pm - In the early 2000s, Google introduced its famous 20% time policy, allowing employees to dedicate one day a week to… … Chatgpt Helps Articulate My Mission Discovering the words to express my purpose December 6, 2024 10:49 am - Someone recently asked me about my mission. While I have a clear sense of it in my mind, every time… … Knowledge Summit 2025 in Dublin Trinity College Dublin 23 - 24 June December 4, 2024 11:08 am - The Knowledge Summit at Trinity College Dublin is returning in 2025. My experience at the 2024 event was memorable for… … Chatbots as Critical Thinking Partners Talk at the AI Challenges & Adaptations Conference, hosted by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina December 1, 2024 5:00 pm - I will be giving a talk titled Chatbots as Critical Thinking Partners at the AI Challenges & Adaptations Conference, hosted… … Obama Foundation Inspiring, empowering, and connecting people to change their world November 23, 2024 5:51 pm - I’ve long believed that democracy should be about more than voting every few years—it’s about how we engage with and… … Upcoming Online Knowledge Café How can we better navigate the complexities of dementia? November 22, 2024 8:33 pm - Due to a health issue, I’ve taken a break from running online and face-to-face Knowledge Cafés in recent months. However,… … Three Conversation Questions The power of thoughtful questions November 22, 2024 7:00 pm - Conversations shape how we connect, collaborate, and solve problems. Groups often struggle to focus on the correct issues, approach discussions… … Building 20 at MIT Innovation in a makeshift lab November 22, 2024 6:55 pm - During World War II, the U.S. urgently needed breakthroughs in radar technology. With limited space at MIT, the quickly assembled… … The Flow of Conversations Unlocking creativity through adaptive dialogue November 22, 2024 11:27 am - Dave Snowden’s vector theory of change has influenced how I think about conversations and their role in navigating change. Rather… … Lessons From Silicon Valley and Route 128 How open networks and risk-taking shape innovation November 22, 2024 11:19 am - Silicon Valley and Route 128 were prominent centers of technological innovation, but their differing ecosystems produced contrasting results, with Route… … Enhancing Critical Thinking Using chatbots to explore new perspectives and deepen understanding October 23, 2024 9:44 am - Chatbots can be powerful tools for developing our critical thinking skills, especially when exploring different perspectives. One effective approach is… … Transforming Knowledge Capture How AI is changing the way we capture knowledge October 22, 2024 12:28 pm - Encoding knowledge into information has long been challenging, particularly when capturing tacit knowledge—insights based on personal experience and intuition. Traditional… … From Hate to Understanding How Özlem Cekic used dialogue to transform hostility into empathy October 20, 2024 12:18 pm - Özlem Cekic, a former Danish politician, faced hate for her background as a Muslim immigrant. Instead of responding angrily, she… … The Human Age How humans have shaped Earth's environment in unexpected ways October 18, 2024 12:11 pm - We humans have existed for only about 200,000 years. Yet, our impact on Earth is so profound that scientists propose… … Conversational Leadership Coaching I offer a Conversational Leadership coaching and mentoring service September 26, 2024 1:54 pm - You might not know, but I provide a coaching and mentoring service to help you integrate Conversational Leadership or Knowledge… … Google’s Notebooklm Audio Overview AI generated podcasts September 26, 2024 1:16 pm - Google's NotebookLM Audio Overview is a new and free tool that transforms your documents into engaging audio summaries. Using advanced… … Upcoming Events with Dave Snowden See the world through the lens of complexity September 2, 2024 9:50 am - I've long followed Dave Snowden's work, which began with a focus on knowledge management and has since shifted towards complexity… … Can Morality Exist Without God? Exploring the universal principles of right and wrong August 29, 2024 2:00 pm - One frequently cited argument for belief in God is the assertion that, without a divine being to establish moral codes,… … Improve Your Conversations Use the Johari Window to improve communication and personal growth August 29, 2024 8:16 am - Effective conversation is essential for strong relationships and personal growth. The Johari Window provides a framework for understanding how self-awareness… … It’s Just a Theory Understanding scientific terms August 15, 2024 10:50 am - I smile when I read discussions on social media about evolution where someone dismisses it by saying, "It's just a… … Mirror Neurons and Conversation The role of mirror neurons in human evolution and cultural transmission July 30, 2024 8:29 am - Lately, I've been studying mirror neurons (brain cells that activate when we perform an action or see others do the… … The Myth of Thamus and Theuth in the Age of AI Does GenAI harm our critical thinking skills? July 25, 2024 8:59 am - GenAI's potential negative impact on critical thinking deserves our attention. A recent post in my blook looks at the Myth… … The Paradox of Tolerance Should we be intolerant of those who threaten it to preserve a tolerant society? July 24, 2024 10:25 am - Tolerance promotes peace among diverse groups, but it must have boundaries. Philosopher Karl Popper's "Paradox of Tolerance" argues that we… … Reid Hoffman’s Digital Twin The potential of personal AI avatars July 23, 2024 9:45 pm - Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, has created an impressive digital twin of himself called "REID AI." This digital twin uses… … Critical Thinking’s Role in Nurturing Curiosity A conversation between Peter Boghossian and Will Reusch July 21, 2024 9:52 pm - In a captivating YouTube conversation, Peter Boghossian and Will Reusch discuss the importance of critical thinking for nurturing curiosity, challenging… … The Hidden Complexity of Everyday Conversations Conversations are complex responsive processes July 19, 2024 5:32 pm - We engage in numerous conversations daily, yet we seldom consider their complexity. In a recent blook post, I explore how… … Understanding Teleology The illusion of purpose July 14, 2024 12:49 pm - We often think everything has a purpose or was designed for a goal, a concept known as teleology. However, this… … Complexity Science We live in a increasingly complex world July 3, 2024 8:43 am - I have long been fascinated by complexity science and have closely followed Dave Snowden's work for many years and, more… … The Decline of Reading We need to enhance reading comprehension skills July 3, 2024 7:34 am - People are reading less and understanding less of what they read, which is a societal problem. Social media and short… … The Death of the Author A perspective shift July 2, 2024 9:08 am - I recently came across Roland Barthes's thought-provoking essay, The Death of the Author. In this influential work, Barthes challenges traditional… … Socrates on Democracy Balancing wisdom and governance July 1, 2024 10:10 am - In a year marked by numerous elections worldwide, it is essential to reflect on Socrates' perspectives on democracy. Socrates held… … Cultivating a Collaborative Culture Through Knowledge Cafés June 30, 2024 3:36 pm - Effective knowledge sharing is crucial for innovation and success. However, many organizations struggle to cultivate a collaborative culture. Adopting Knowledge… … AI and the Art of Remixing The postproduction paradigm June 3, 2024 10:16 am - AI language models are revolutionizing creative expression by mirroring the remixing techniques of postproduction art. This new capability challenges traditional… … How We Get to Knowledge Not through rational methods alone June 3, 2024 9:40 am - I love this quote by David Weinberger because it accurately describes how we acquire knowledge—not just through rational methods but… … On Conversation by Ben Franklin The Pennsylvania Gazette, October 15, 1730 May 31, 2024 3:35 pm - In "On Conversation," an essay published in The Pennsylvania Gazette on October 15, 1730, Ben Franklin addressed the issue of… … How Could You or I Be Wrong About This? A crucial question to ask in a conversation May 29, 2024 9:31 am - Intellectual humility and open-mindedness are vital for constructive dialogue. Polarization and confirmation bias hinder productive conversations on complex issues. Asking… … Are Large Language Models Sentient? Sentience is the capacity to experience sensations, thoughts, and feelings May 27, 2024 10:29 am - Ross Dawson started a recent interesting thread on LinkedIn on whether Large Language Models are or will be sentient. The… … Chatgpt, Explained Is ChatGPT going to take over the world? May 25, 2024 6:49 am - If you feel you do not understand the basics of ChatGPT, this introduction, ChatGPT Explained, may be of help. … Humans + AI Learning Community! Keeping up with AI developments May 18, 2024 11:51 am - If you are interested in AI and wish to keep up with developments, you may like to join the Humans… … The Real Loss in Losing an Argument The opportunity to engage in a constructive, enlightening conversation May 16, 2024 11:53 am - When you lose an argument because your opponent resorts to dishonest argumentative strategies, such as personal attacks and attempts to… … An Insightful Journey Into Leadership On Leadership … with Christien Oudshoorn April 22, 2024 10:55 am - I recently came across this beautiful little video of Christien Oudshoorn sharing her perspective on the challenges and essence of… … The Great Conversation The conversation of humankind April 21, 2024 4:24 pm - I recently came across the fascinating concept of the "Great Conversation," a perspective that beautifully captures the essence of humanity's… … Enhancing Blog Posts with Ai-generated Images Exploring the power of Midjourney and DALL-E to create stunning visuals April 19, 2024 10:26 am - I have been using Midjourney and DALL-E to generate pictures for my blook. It's incredible how a simple prompt can… … Lex Fridman’s Podcast Engaging with some of the world's greatest minds April 15, 2024 2:11 pm - I am a big fan of Lex Fridman and love his podcasts with many of the world's leaders and top… … Navigating Complexity with Safe-to-fail Probes Dave Snowden April 15, 2024 9:58 am - In a recently updated post in my blook, I explain how Dave Snowden's concept of safe-to-fail probes addresses the challenges… … Rethinking Writing for a Complex World Larry McEnerney’s insights on good writing March 30, 2024 11:04 am - Effective writing is crucial for driving change in today's complex, information-overloaded world. However, conventional writing wisdom often fails to equip… … Charting a New Course Dave Snowden's Vector Theory of Change March 23, 2024 10:29 am - Change is constant and unpredictable in our complex world. Traditional linear approaches to managing change often fail to deliver results,… … Conversational Presentations Making talks conversational with one simple tweak March 22, 2024 10:50 am - In most conferences and seminars, the audience passively listens to speakers without a chance to discuss insights together. But with… … Knowledge Summit Dublin Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, 10th -11th June 2024 March 19, 2024 2:09 pm - The Dublin Knowledge Summit, held from June 10th to June 11th, 2024, will be hosted at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.… … Using Chatgpt on Your Smartphone An indispensable thinking companion March 5, 2024 9:45 am - I hope you have ChatGPT installed on your smartphone. I have it and use it all the time, simply because… … Knowledge Summit Dublin Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, 10th -11th June 2024 March 4, 2024 1:25 pm - The Dublin Knowledge Summit is scheduled for 10th-11th June 2024, hosted at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. This event provides a… … Conversational Leadership Coach A custom GPT March 4, 2024 9:37 am - I am developing a custom GPT model using OpenAI’s GPT Builder, which I am designing as a conversational leadership coach. The… … The Journey of Knowledge and Innovation A historical timeline March 2, 2024 10:22 am - I have a post in my blook chronicling the significant events in human history that have shaped our knowledge and… … Beyond Information Sharing The collaborative nature of conversation March 1, 2024 7:56 pm - It's important to remember that when we engage in conversation, it's not just about passing on information. We're engaging in… … The Importance of Teaching Respectful Conversation A necessity for a healthy society February 28, 2024 7:38 pm - Watch this brief video, which is under 2 minutes long. It shows a young woman asking a question of Allen… … Knowledge Café Events February 2024 Events coming up in February and March 2024 February 3, 2024 5:56 pm - I'm hosting or co-hosting three events in February and March that I think you may be interested in: Washington DC,… … The One Who Loves More Is vulnerable January 28, 2024 8:53 pm - I watched the film "Nowhere in Africa" on a plane trip some years ago and jotted down this quote from… … Extraordinary Claims Need Extraordinary Proof The Carl Sagan Standard January 28, 2024 8:15 pm - "Extraordinary claims need extraordinary proof," a saying often credited to Carl Sagan, highlights a fundamental scientific and critical thinking principle.… … Insights From Chatbots Oxytocin helps us pay closer attention to body language and facial cues January 28, 2024 8:08 pm - I was curious about how oxytocin affects conversations, so I asked ChatGPT about it. The AI explained that, among other… … Knowledge Summit Dublin Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, 10th -11th June 2024 January 23, 2024 7:41 am - There are not many knowledge management conferences these days, but there's an exceptional one scheduled at Trinity College in Dublin… … The Two Pillars of Truth The scientific method and the Socratic elenchus January 19, 2024 12:14 pm - This chapter, The Two Pillars of Truth, from my blook, was inspired by a talk by Peter Boghossian on the… … Knowledge Café Events Early 2024 Events coming up in January and February 2024 January 1, 2024 1:54 pm - I'm hosting or co-hosting four events in January and February that I think you may be interested in: Washington DC,… … Finding the Truth in a Post-truth World Why we don’t really care about truth December 29, 2023 3:20 pm - In today's world of misinformation and conspiracy theories, it can be hard to know who and what to trust. But… … The Biochemistry of Conversation Hormones and possibly pheromones influence our social interactions December 28, 2023 3:21 pm - Our conversations involve more than meets the eye. Underneath the surface lies a complex biochemical signaling system, where hormones like… … Conversational Huddles How huddles can energize and align teams December 18, 2023 4:57 pm - In my blook on Conversational Leadership, I discuss how huddles can energize and align teams. Huddles are short, casual meetings… … The Case of the Vanishing Café Participants Challenges from a virtual Knowledge Café December 12, 2023 11:47 am - I recently ran a Knowledge Café as part of an online academic symposium. There were 100 or so registered delegates,… … ECKM 25th European Conference on Knowledge Management 5-6 September 2024, Veszprém, Hungary University of Pannonia November 30, 2023 1:44 pm - The 25th European Conference on Knowledge Management (ECKM) will be held in Veszprém, Hungary, at the University of Pannonia on… … KM Summit Indonesia Grand Hyatt Bali, Indonesia, 9 -11 January 2024 November 22, 2023 11:55 am - Discover the KM Summit Indonesia at the Grand Hyatt Bali, Indonesia, from January 9-11, 2024. It's a fantastic venue –… … When Coffee Chats Become Catalysts for Change What makes a conversation strategic? November 15, 2023 4:20 pm - What makes a conversation strategic? At its core, a strategic conversation has the potential to influence the future direction of… … The Age of the Explorer Why curiosity and collaboration are the new leadership competencies November 15, 2023 11:24 am - I recently read an insightful article by John Hagel about shifting leadership models from credentialed experts to passionate explorers. As… … We Are All Stardust Our intimate connection with the universe November 15, 2023 9:21 am - In a recent blook post, I explore how we are connected to the universe. Our very bodies are made of… … The Meaning of Face Exploring losing face and giving face November 7, 2023 4:19 pm - Many of us are familiar with the idea of “saving face,” the effort to protect our own reputation and avoid… … Creating Marvelous Conversations with David Gurteen A "Because You Need to Know" Podcast October 31, 2023 9:44 am - Edwin Morris has just released another intriguing episode in his Because You Need to Know podcast series — a conversation… … Lex Fridman Podcaster and research scientist at MIT October 30, 2023 6:09 am - Lex Fridman is a podcaster and research scientist at MIT, working on human-centered artificial intelligence. The Lex Fridman Podcast has… … Creating a Lecture in Your Own Artificial Voice Using text-to-speech tools October 24, 2023 10:20 am - I have been experimenting with AI tools like NotebookLM, ElevenLabs, and PDFToAudio to create podcasts and lectures in my own… … Reviving Oral Exams The value of oral assessments in education October 24, 2023 7:52 am - We’ve become so reliant on written exams and essays that we’ve forgotten the value of old-school oral assessments. This fascinating… … Resisting Simple Narratives The allure of simple stories October 23, 2023 7:06 pm - Many of our false beliefs seem convincing because they rely on simple, appealing stories. My friend David Creelman recently highlighted… … May You Live in Interesting Times An old Chinese curse? October 23, 2023 6:01 pm - I have always enjoyed the quote, Initially, I believed it to be a well-wish, but I later read it was… … The Rest Is Politics Podcast With Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell October 23, 2023 12:22 pm - If you seek insightful political discourse amidst the noise, I highly recommend The Rest is Politics podcast with Rory Stewart… … Do We Really Know What We Think We Know? The knowedge delusion October 22, 2023 12:49 pm - In a post in my blook on Conversational Leadership, I explore the notion that, as individuals, we know very little… … Plato’s Warning How debates can subvert truth October 22, 2023 10:20 am - I recently read an interesting article about why Plato thought debates can often be stupid and dangerous. The article argues… … The Power of Obliquity Why indirect paths often lead to better outcomes in a complex world October 19, 2023 8:15 am - In our complex and unpredictable world, direct approaches to achieving our goals often fall short. Instead, embracing obliquity—an indirect, adaptive… … World Values Day 19th October 2023 October 4, 2023 7:30 am - Don’t forget World Values Day on 19th October. Values are what matter most to us. They motivate and guide us.… … World Values Day Intergenerational Knowledge Cafés 12th and 19th October 2023 October 3, 2023 3:52 pm - Our two World Values Day Intergenerational Knowledge Cafés are coming up soon, one on October 12 and the second on… … Chatbots as an Aid to Critical Thinking Reasoning and decision-making October 3, 2023 1:29 pm - From a Knowledge Management perspective, many view chatbots as glorified search engines — tools to look up facts or provide… … Do You Know What Oracy Is? Oracy is the ability to speak persuasively October 3, 2023 11:50 am - I attended a Henley Forum meeting last week where, among other things, we briefly discussed why Knowledge Management had not… … The Shaky Ground Beneath Our Beliefs Questioning our beliefs October 2, 2023 2:21 pm - In a post for my blook on Conversational Leadership, I explore how our deeply held beliefs rest on remarkably flimsy… … Hacking at the Branches of Evil Henry David Thoreau October 2, 2023 12:58 pm - I love the work of Henry David Thoreau, particularly his book Walden. When, in the early 90s, I lived in… … Certified Knowledge Specialist in Conversational Leadership Online class in partnership with KMI - KM Institute October 2, 2023 8:43 am - John Hovell, Donita Volkwijn, Saule Menane, and I will be running another online Certified Knowledge Specialist in Conversational Leadership class… … Beyond Blame and Entitlement Taking responsibility for the world we create September 6, 2023 8:33 am - Too often, we see ourselves as passive recipients of the world rather than active shapers. We view problems as created… … Trust and Society Without trust our civilization would collapse August 30, 2023 8:19 am - Trust has long fascinated me, dating back to when I first encountered Stephen Covey's teachings on the Seven Habits of… … The New Meaning of Success Going beyond personal goals August 29, 2023 6:13 pm - I think finding success today is about more than just chasing our dreams. It's got to be about using our… … Intergenerational Knowledge Café World Values Day 19 October 2023 August 29, 2023 1:34 pm - I am organizing an online Knowledge Café in October with Charles Fowler for World Values Day for the seventh straight… … Please Help Support My Work Become a patron August 29, 2023 11:36 am - For over 20 years, I have been sharing knowledge through my blog and monthly Gurteen Knowledge Letter. Many of you… … No More Annual Performance Reviews Replace them by on-going performance conversations August 29, 2023 11:21 am - I believe the traditional annual performance review is on its way out. Back in 2015, I tweeted about companies like… … The Surprising Dictation Accuracy of Chatgpt Better than iOS August 4, 2023 3:09 pm - I often use the dictation option on my iPhone to capture short emails and even short items to Evernote that… … How Tribes United and Divided Us From family bonds to friendships to tribes July 31, 2023 9:09 am - I recently came across an intriguing article, The Trust Paradox, exploring the evolution of human trust. It examines how early… … Intergenerational Knowledge Café World Values Day 19 October 2023 July 28, 2023 11:29 am - In partnership with Charles Fowler of World Values Day, I am running an online Knowledge Café in October for the… … Writing with Genai Chatbots ChatGPT 3.5, ChatGPT 4, Bard and Claude 2 July 17, 2023 6:10 pm - I can access ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0, Bard, and Claude 2. It's interesting to compare the content they generate for… … Claude 2 A new AI chatbot competitor to ChatGPT and Bard July 17, 2023 4:55 pm - I have been experimenting with ChatGPT for some time now, but recently Anthropic released a competitor called Claude 2. It… … Life Is Difficult This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths July 16, 2023 4:53 pm - This is one of my favorite quotations taken from the very first lines of The Road Less Travelled by Scott… … The Story of the Chinese Farmer It’s impossible to tell whether anything that happens in it is good or bad July 11, 2023 5:50 pm - The natural world is a highly interconnected and intricate system. We cannot label any event as entirely good or bad,… … How We Construct Our Unfounded Beliefs And false narratives June 30, 2023 10:15 am - I sometimes have conversations with people who don't know much about a topic I've studied in depth. However, they still… … Chatgpt as a Valuable Thinking Partner ChatGPT and critical thinking June 30, 2023 9:31 am - Many people criticize ChatGPT for its potential to harm students’ critical thinking abilities. However, I have a different opinion and… … The Best Quotations Provoke Thought and Reflection They need not be true or the author necessarily respected June 27, 2023 1:47 pm - Over 700 people receive my daily Conversational Leadership quote of the day, and nearly 3,000 subscribe to my old Gurteen.com… … Breaking Free From Multipolar Traps A call for collective action June 26, 2023 10:45 am - As we navigate an increasingly complex world fraught with myriad challenges, we are often confronted with the phenomenon of the… … Sparks of AGI: Early Experiments with GPT-4 Surprisingly there may be a few sparks June 25, 2023 7:13 pm - I have long been skeptical about the development of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) anytime soon, and my skepticism persists. However,… … Orality The foundation of human storytelling June 25, 2023 10:53 am - Recently, Hank Kune introduced me to the fascinating concept of orality, which has had a profound impact on human communication.… … Creating Safe Spaces for Uncomfortable Conversations Valuing vulnerability, authenticity, and respectful dialogue June 5, 2023 7:20 am - In my recent Knowledge Café, the Great Unheard, it occurred to me that throughout our everyday lives, we frequently consciously… … The Risks Posed by Artificial Intelligence A conversation between Nate Hagens and Daniel Schmachtenberger June 2, 2023 2:32 pm - I hope you are familiar with the work of Daniel Schmachtenberger. Daniel is a futurist, philosopher, and thought leader in… … Driving Environmental Change Individuals and Government Working Together June 1, 2023 10:51 am - I like the argument made in this article; A better environment does start with you. In it, the author, Marc… … The Great Unheard Knowledge Café Where do the silences in your life exist, and what significance do they hold for you? May 31, 2023 1:24 pm - This is the video of the framing talk for an online Knowledge Café The Great Unheard, that I ran in May… … The World Talks The world's biggest dialogue experiment May 30, 2023 2:21 pm - I have long been a fan of Randomised Coffee Trials (RCTs) — social experiments where people are randomly matched for… … Nobel Prize Summit 2023 Truth, Trust and Hope, 24-26 May 2023 May 30, 2023 10:58 am - I was disappointed not to be able to watch this year’s Nobel Prize Summit on May 24th, which brought together… … The Importance of Harnessing Diversity to Unite Society Five critical skills for constructive conversations May 21, 2023 2:56 pm - In this video, Irshad Manji highlights the importance of harnessing diversity to unite society. She shares five critical skills for… … How Talking to Strangers Boosts Happiness The Power of Conversations May 9, 2023 4:19 pm - The Fortune Magazine article, titled A Team of Scientists Explains How to Get Measurably Happier by Doing One Simple Thing,… … Conversational Leadership FAQ Misconceptions and myths May 9, 2023 2:09 pm - I have written an informative FAQ that you may find helpful to dispel the numerous misconceptions and myths surrounding the… … The Four Pillars of Cognition Embodiment, Embeddedness, Extension, and Enaction April 28, 2023 4:07 pm - Cognition is a complex process that involves not just our brain but also our physical body, environment, and actions. This… … Jazz Improvisation Is “musical Conversation” The Jazz of Conversations April 28, 2023 4:00 pm - When we converse, we are improvising. The exact words we use are not pre-planned; they depend on what our companion… … Montaigne’s Quest for Truth Michel De Montaigne April 11, 2023 12:15 pm - This quote from Montaigne speaks to the value of questioning and exploring ideas without being tied to a predetermined conclusion.… … The Fear of Losing Face Is a Barrier to Open Conversation in Many Cultures Losing and giving face April 9, 2023 1:36 pm - In many cultures, the concept of "face" carries great importance and is intricately tied to social dynamics and relationships. Losing… … The Great Unheard Knowledge Café Understanding Voice and Silence in Organizations April 4, 2023 9:03 am - I am delighted to tell you that I have an online Knowledge Café in early May. Two good colleagues, Mark… … Anyone Who Values Truth Should Stop Worshiping Reason The Righteous Mind April 1, 2023 11:12 am - I am currently reading The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt. Jonathan is a social psychologist and author known for his… … The Word “conversation” Has a Fascinating History Etymology of conversation March 31, 2023 10:16 am - In a world where communication is an essential part of our lives, exploring the origins of words is fascinating. From… … The Impact of Cognitive Biases in Conversations Communicating more effectively March 26, 2023 5:54 pm - Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts our brains use to quickly and efficiently process information. While much has been written about… … The Fallacy of Changing Others The power of personal agency for change March 21, 2023 8:02 pm - The question "How do we get those people to change?" constantly arises when pursuing improvement or change. The focus is… … Working Conversationally: It’s Not About the Fish Why 'working conversationally' is not as trivial as it might sound March 16, 2023 9:24 am - I love this short video on LinkedIn, "It's not about the fish," from Johnnie Moore. Johnnie's ideas tie in well… … There Is No Reason for Any Individual to Have a Computer in Their Home Ken Olsen, 1977 March 14, 2023 3:33 pm - Apparently, in 1977 Ken Olsen (who co-founded Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in 1957) attended a convention of the World Future… … Twenty Years of Knowledge Cafés Hong Kong, Indonesia, Egypt, Ireland, London ... March 13, 2023 3:21 pm - Over the last 20 years, I have facilitated hundreds of Knowledge Cafés worldwide; more recently, I have run them on… … Engaging in Impossible Conversations Impossible conversations are different from difficult conversations March 10, 2023 4:46 pm - Much is written about difficult conversations, but much less about impossible conversations. But what is the difference? Here is how… … Modern-day Colonialism The dominance, control, and exploitation by a powerful group over a less powerful group March 7, 2023 5:12 pm - In the past year or two, I've noticed an increasing use of "colonialism" as a metaphor to describe forms of… … What Is Intelligence? The ability to comprehend and purposefully react to information March 3, 2023 8:23 pm - I recently started to write about artificial intelligence and its relationship to Conversational Leadership and Knowledge Management. In doing so,… … Christopher Hitchens’s Razor No not what he shaved with February 12, 2023 1:18 pm - I'm a big fan of Christopher Hitchens, a larger-than-life personality. It's a shame that he died so young, but his… … The Henley Forum 23rd Annual Conference Global Transitions in a Changing World February 12, 2023 10:07 am - I've been a friend of The Henley Forum for 23 years and have attended most of its annual conferences. This… … Make Your Presentation or Seminar More Participatory Conversational Talks February 10, 2023 5:44 pm - Allowing for audience discussion during a presentation or seminar can be incredibly beneficial for both the presenter and the audience.… … Data, Information and Knowledge Differentiating knowledge stuff February 10, 2023 4:45 pm - Although my blook is about Conversational Leadership, I often find myself revisiting the fundamentals of Knowledge Management as they form… … Real Conversations Are Human Real conversations embody our humanity February 10, 2023 3:49 pm - In my blook, I have a post titled What is a Real Conversation? where I delve into the various components… … Request for Knowledge Café Stories Knowledge Café Stories February 9, 2023 4:47 pm - I am looking for more stories for my blook on Conversational Leadership about how organizations have utilized the Knowledge Café.… … Big History and Big Future What is humanity's direction? February 6, 2023 4:20 pm - One of my interests is history, and another is the future. However, these interests are probably not quite what you… … What Is Social Loafing? Keep the size of small group conversations to 3 or 4 participants January 31, 2023 1:40 pm - 20 years ago or so, when I first started running my Knowledge Cafés, I noticed that as the size of… … Certified Knowledge Specialist in Conversational Leadership KMI - KM Institute January 7, 2023 5:27 pm - I hope you know by now that John Hovell, Donita Volkwijn, Saule Menane, and I will be running a Certified… … After-action Reviews – Are We Lazy? A conversation after an event to discuss improvement January 4, 2023 2:31 pm - There is nothing complicated about an after-action review. At its best, it is simply a conversation after an event or… … Will There Be a Knowledge Management Revival? KM is a generation old January 4, 2023 1:09 pm - Interest in knowledge management has been slowly declining in recent years. Despite this trend, the importance of effectively managing knowledge,… … Creating a Glossary for My Blook With a little help from ChatGPT January 4, 2023 9:42 am - I have long wanted to create a glossary of terms for my blook but have been put off by how… … From Knowledge to Agency Knowledge is not power, agency is power January 2, 2023 1:06 pm - In the Knowledge Management world, we talk about knowledge and capabilities but rarely about agency. I think it's time we… … Remember Cognitive Surplus? Tapping into our collective potential January 1, 2023 12:27 pm - Over a decade ago, Clay Shirky introduced the concept of Cognitive Surplus — harnessing our collective free time and creativity… … What Will Be the Impact of Chatgpt? We've no real idea yet. December 22, 2022 4:00 pm - I do not doubt that AI technology, such as ChatGPT, will have a massive impact on the world in 2023… … The 2022 Reith Lectures: the Four Freedoms BBC December 21, 2022 4:58 pm - Over Christmas, I listened to and was intrigued by the annual Reith Lectures. The Reith Lectures were inaugurated in 1948… … Webinar Recording: Introduction to Conversational Leadership A short webinar December 18, 2022 12:37 pm - John Hovell, Saule Menane, Donita Volkwijn, and I recently gave a webinar introducing Conversational Leadership. We were delighted that over… … The Amazing Chatgpt Will Blow Your Mind The only way to truly appreciate it is to check it out December 16, 2022 11:05 am - If you have been reading all the hype about ChatGPT and are a little skeptical like I was, go try… … Academic Papers on the Knowledge Café Using the Knowledge Café in academia December 15, 2022 12:16 pm - Since I developed the concept of the Knowledge Café and started running it 20 years ago in 2002, a few… … Talk Enough but No Conversation Conversing is different from talking December 14, 2022 2:03 pm - More and more, I am starting to differentiate between talk and conversation, although in everyday usage, I use the words… … Lesswrong: Aiming to Be Less Wrong About the World Than the Day Before Improving human reasoning and decision-making December 7, 2022 3:30 pm - LessWrong is an online forum and community dedicated to improving human reasoning and decision-making. We seek to hold true beliefs… … The Simple Power of Complex Stories Thaler Pekar | TEDxTralee Ireland November 22, 2022 10:46 am - You may enjoy this TEDx talk by Thaler Pekar about The simple power of complex stories and the kind of… … Education as an Initiation Into the Conversation of Humankind Michael Oakeshott November 13, 2022 8:32 pm - One aspect of conversation that particularly intrigues me is its history. I've spent considerable time reading about the 17th-century and… … Certified Knowledge Specialist in Conversational Leadership KMI - KM Institute November 7, 2022 9:37 pm - John Hovell, Donita Volkwijn, Saule Menane, and I will be running a Certified Knowledge Specialist in Conversational Leadership class in… … New Book: Creating Conversational Leadership Aurthor: John Hovell November 7, 2022 8:26 pm - Conversational Leadership is a relatively new discipline; until recently, no books had been written on the subject unless you included… … Carl Sagan’s Foreboding on the Future of America in 1995 Science is more than a body of knowledge; it is a way of thinking November 6, 2022 3:07 pm - Carl Sagan was a fantastic scientist. This ominous prediction is taken from his 1995 book The Demon-Haunted World: Science as… … Conversational Leadership Is an Approach to Working Together David Whyte October 14, 2022 4:11 pm - One of the few people who talks and writes about Conversational Leadership is David Whyte. This is how he defines… … Acts of Conversational Leadership Adam Grant October 12, 2022 10:18 am - I came across the quotation below from Adam Grant recently on Linkedin. Adam calls all these acts, acts of leadership;… … Advance Your Change and OD Practice Sharon Varney and John Hovell October 10, 2022 2:49 pm - Two good friends, Sharon Varney and John Hovell, are running an international online course from 5-8 December for anyone working to… … Certified Knowledge Specialist in Conversational Leadership KMI - KM Institute October 10, 2022 8:40 am - Last month I announced that John Hovell, Donita Volkwijn, Saule Menane, and I will be running a Certified Knowledge Specialist… … What Conversation Could You Have Differently Today? Megan Reitz and John Higgins October 4, 2022 1:02 pm - Sometimes I come across a passage in a book that sums up some aspect of Conversational Leadership that I particularly… … Munk Debates and Dialogues Excellent debates and dialogues October 2, 2022 6:41 pm - I recently discovered Munk Debates and the Munk Debate website. They have some excellent debates, and I love their mission.… … A Slight Modification to VUCA Volatility, uncertainty, confusion and ambiguity October 2, 2022 2:40 pm - You are probably familiar with the VUCA acronym and that we live in a VUCA world. Volatility is where things… … Change Emerges From Conversation in Community with People You Love Dave Pollard October 2, 2022 2:35 pm - I am a big follower of the work of Dave Pollard. I only ever met him once, many years ago,… … History of Conversational Leadership 1985 to today October 2, 2022 2:06 pm - I have been developing and writing about the concept of Conversational Leadership since early 2014, but the term has been… … Certified Knowledge Specialist in Conversational Leadership KMI - KM Institute September 7, 2022 1:25 pm - I am delighted to announce that John Hovell, Donita Volkwijn, Saule Menane, and I will be running a Certified Knowledge… … In Search of the Third Attractor Daniel Schmachtenberger September 6, 2022 8:23 pm - I am a massive fan of the work of Daniel Smachtenberger, and you may recall I wrote about his four-part… … Construct Steel Arguments Not Straw Ones We need to learn to argue more effectively September 4, 2022 10:35 am - I am working on a post on so-called steelmanning for my blook. You may be familiar with the concept of… … Request for Help with My Discourse Project Genres of discourse September 3, 2022 6:07 pm - I have recently started a little project, and I could do with a little help. I am pulling together a… … Take Responsibility There are several ways in which to take more responsibility for our lives September 3, 2022 4:22 pm - When I first started to think about Conversational Leadership, one of the foundational principles I wrote about was the need… … We Should Think Carefully Before Speaking Up! Speaking up is as likely to cause conflict and resentment as it is to address a real injustice August 8, 2022 9:56 am - We should all speak up more, should we not? In an email to me recently, my good friend David Creelman… … Tweet of the Month July 2022 July 2022 August 5, 2022 3:18 pm - Here is my top tweet for July 2022. Try talking neuro-gibberish if you’re hoping to win an argument this week.… … Myth: Our Body Language Conveys 55% of the Message This is a distortion of some research conducted by Albert Mehrabian in 1967 August 5, 2022 10:59 am - I overheard a video on interview techniques my wife was watching recently where the instructor pointed out that: Our body… … Littlewood’s Law An individual can expect to experience “miracles” at the rate of about one per month July 31, 2022 10:20 am - Littlewood’s Law, or adage, states that an individual can expect to experience “miracles” at the rate of about one per… … There Is Not a Single, Widely Accepted Definition of Spirituality Spirituality need have nothing to do with religion July 30, 2022 4:59 pm - In writing my blook, time and time again, I find myself not happy with my understanding of certain words and… … Comparing Oracy and Rhetoric What's the difference? July 30, 2022 4:14 pm - I have started to write about rhetoric in my blook though it is still a work in progress. I was… … The Long History of Argument A series of talks by Rory Stewart July 22, 2022 2:36 pm - You may enjoy these three talks by Rory Stewart from the BBC Radio 4 Seriously series of audio documentaries and… … Tweet of the Month June 2022 June 2022 July 15, 2022 12:44 pm - Here is my top tweet for June 2022. How technology can combat the rising tide of fake science. https://buff.ly/2wFgx6G /It's… … Calling Someone Ignorant Isn’t Necessarily an Insult Ignorance is simply a lack of understanding July 15, 2022 11:33 am - Calling someone ignorant isn’t necessarily an insult. Ignorance is simply a lack of understanding. If we are ignorant of a… … Images for the Future of Europe The future can evolve in different directions, each shaped by today's actions July 3, 2022 7:39 pm - To capture ideas about the future, the European Commission's Competence Centre on Foresight has launched an event #OurFutures - Images… … Timeline of the Far Future Predicting the next hundred quintillion years June 29, 2022 9:31 am - It is hard enough to predict what might happen next year, never mind in 100 years, but what about one… … Trust in Whom? Trust is more an attitude about myself June 24, 2022 7:27 pm - I am a big fan of Peter Block, and you will find many references to him in my blook. Peter… … Himba Baby Song True or false? June 10, 2022 11:38 am - Look at this story about the Himba tribe of Namibia in Southern Africa, posted on LinkedIn. Hundreds of replies have… … The Language of Conversation and Speech Digging into their meaning June 8, 2022 12:21 pm - Numerous words describe the varied forms of conversation and speech. In writing my blook, if I wish to dig a… … Don’t Quote It If You Can’t Source It Lib Quotes June 7, 2022 11:10 pm - I love quotations and have a broad selection of them stored as part of my blook. I have also programmed… … Inner Development Goals Transformational skills for sustainable development May 30, 2022 10:07 am - I am sure you are familiar with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals but have you heard of the Inner Development… … Please Help Support My Work Become a patron May 29, 2022 9:23 pm - I have been blogging and publishing the Gurteen Knowledge Letter every month for over 20 years, and most of you… … Tweet of the Month May 2022 May 2022 May 28, 2022 10:08 am - Here is my top tweet for May 2022. The Neuroscience of Conversations: A deep dive into the fascinating world of… … Blook Posts Under Development Work in progress May 27, 2022 10:52 pm - At any one time, I tend to be working on several topics in my blook concurrently, switching between them as… … The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows A dictionary of made-up words for emotions May 27, 2022 9:50 pm - The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows is a website and YouTube channel developed by John Koenig that creates and defines made-up words… … Why Does the Gurteen Knowledge Café Work? A Participant’s Perspective May 27, 2022 9:08 pm - "Why Does the Gurteen Knowledge Café Work?" is a question I am often asked, and I never have a perfect… … We Learn by Talking When speaking we organize cognitively what we know May 2, 2022 5:34 pm - We exchange information, conclusions, reasoning & questions with others. Although the benefits to the receiver are apparent, surprisingly, there is… … We Need to Put Ourselves in Order Perhaps we will do the same for the world May 2, 2022 5:17 pm - I write a lot about the need to take responsibility for the changes we would like to see to bring… … Event: Is This Our Gutenberg Moment? Conversational Leadership Café May 2, 2022 4:30 pm - In the history of knowledge, the refinement of the printing press in Germany by Gutenberg in 1436 had a massive… … Tweet of the Month April 2022 April 2022 May 2, 2022 3:36 pm - Here is my top tweet for April 2022. Michael Lewis on why Americans don’t trust experts buff.ly/3EHpCdQ /An interesting article/interview… … Event: Global Bridging KM/OD/D&I April 26, 2022 1:08 pm - The Global Bridging event is a free online 24-hour series of conversational activities spanning Knowledge Management (KM), Organization Development (OD),… … Two Interesting Theories of Reason Social reasoning and the narrative paradigm April 1, 2022 11:59 am - I have been working in the Knowledge Management field for over twenty years, and I am still amazed when I… … The Tragic Death of Michel De Montaigne The most fruitful and natural play of the mind is in conversation March 31, 2022 9:03 am - Michele Montaigne was one of the most significant philosophers of the French Renaissance. I have long admired him and love… … The Journey The remarkable friendship between Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness March 30, 2022 4:46 pm - The film drama The Journey is a fictional account of the true story of how Northern Ireland's political enemies, Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, formed… … Scribbled Sentences A writing lesson from Charles Darwin March 16, 2022 8:09 am - I recently came across this quotation from Charles Darwin, and it immediately resonated with me. My best writing, at least… … Conversation Is Action Stop doing things — sit down and have a conversation March 10, 2022 5:56 pm - I am often asked how to turn conversation into action, but conversation is action. Conversation does not directly change the… … We Have Two Purposes in Life A personal one and a societal one March 7, 2022 5:02 pm - We all care about our own well-being and the well-being of our family. It's our prime purpose to look after… … We Need to See Argument in a Different Light Build a steel man and argue against that. March 4, 2022 4:05 pm - We need to see argument in a different light. An argument should not be seen as a hostile exchange or… … Reception Areas Are Such a Waste of Space Turn them into cafés March 4, 2022 10:39 am - The larger the organization — the more extensive and grander the reception area. Huge impressive, impersonal halls of glass, stainless… … Henry Kissinger and Artificial Intelligence We are moving into a new period of human consciousness March 3, 2022 10:40 am - I wasn't aware Henry Kissinger (United States Secretary of State and National Security Advisor under the presidential administrations of Richard… … Tweet of the Month February 2022 February 2022 March 2, 2022 4:19 pm - Here is my top tweet for February 2022. What are beliefs? Beliefs are ideas that we hold to be true.… … Empowering Managers, Generating Ideas & Building a Sense of Community Knowledge Café in Taiwan March 1, 2022 9:52 am - I was delighted to receive the following email recently. Take a look at the video the author mentions. The recording… … I Would Still Plant My Apple Tree February 20, 2022 3:38 pm - I like this idea. I would still plant my apple tree as well. People interpret this quote differently but to… … Tweet of the Month January 2022 January 2022 February 15, 2022 5:18 pm - Here is my top tweet for January 2022. Polarization: The Power of Dialogue and the Problem of Implicit Bias by… … Conversational Leadership Workshop May 2022 09 - 13 May 2022 February 15, 2022 4:20 pm - Last year John Hovell, Donita Volkwijn, Saule Menane, and I ran a 1-week online workshop on Conversational Leadership. This year… … What Is Global Consciousness? Consciousness, collective consciousness, higher consciousness, and global consciousness February 15, 2022 11:53 am - In his book Beyond Knowledge – How technology is driving an age of consciousness, Bill Halal predicts the Age of Consciousness — an age… … The Mason Dixon Line Sailing to Philadelphia February 15, 2022 10:46 am - I love the web. I love its ability to allow me to explore; to surprise me; to put me in… … The Henley Forum 22nd Annual Conference Henley Business School February 15, 2022 9:14 am - I have been a member of the Henley Forum since its inception 22 years ago and am pleased to announce… … Wordtune Crafting a better sentence February 12, 2022 3:45 pm - I do a lot of writing. Evernote and Grammarly are two indispensable tools. I use Evernote for clipping information, capturing… … What Does It Take to Create a Better World? Even Adolf Hitler thought he was making a better world. February 11, 2022 5:00 pm - In my blook, I write about creating a better, sustainable world, but better is a value-laden word. In what way… … Do We Need a Second Reformation? The first led to the 30 years war in Europe January 11, 2022 5:28 pm - In a recent blog post, Consolidation for Reformation, Henry Mintzberg, described the need for a second Reformation. Here is a… … What Does Greta Thunberg Know About Global Warming? Diddly Squat! The Knowedge Delusion January 11, 2022 4:13 pm - What does Greta Thunberg know about global warming? What do you or I know about global warming? Diddly squat! (btw… … Build a Light-house Not a Chapel Benjamin Franklin January 11, 2022 12:07 pm - The quotation Lighthouses are more useful than churches is often misattributed to Benjamin Franklin. However, he wrote this in a… … KM Global Network: KM Course 2022 Knowledge Management Advanced Methodologies January 10, 2022 12:44 pm - The KM Global Network (KMGN) is running an online KM course - a series of 21 interactive one-hour weekly sessions,… … Tweet of the Month December 2021 December 2021 January 6, 2022 3:42 pm - Here is my top tweet for December. Legacy leaders are anointed and appointed. They are given power through authority and… … What Can We Learn From a Smallpox Epidemic in Boston 300 Years Ago? Smallpox epidemic, Boston 1721 December 17, 2021 10:12 am - Precisely 300 years ago, in 1721, Benjamin Franklin and his fellow Bostonians faced a deadly smallpox outbreak in America. The… … Tweet of the Month November 2021 November 2021 December 7, 2021 2:41 pm - Here is my top tweet for November. Knowledge and cognition are not confined to the brain – other people and… … Writing Aids Critical Thinking What's the difference between writing and critical thinking? December 5, 2021 11:18 am - Jordan Peterson recently tweeted: The best way to teach people critical thinking is to teach them to write because there's… … How Many People Have Ever Lived? About 100 billion November 26, 2021 11:43 am - We are each one of about 100 billion humans (homo sapiens) who have ever lived. To my mind, it is… … You Are Never More Than 4 Minutes Away From a Banana It's a hyperconnected world November 19, 2021 11:50 am - Some time ago, at the Henley Forum, one of the speakers made the point that you're never more than four… … Our Gutenberg Moment? The impact of social media November 12, 2021 4:24 pm - In the history of knowledge, the development of the printing press in Germany by Gutenberg in 1436 had a massive… … Engaging in Short Friendly Conversations Improves People’s Thinking Friends with Cognitive Benefits November 10, 2021 4:47 pm - Research shows that engaging in short friendly conversations boosts people’s performance on a variety of cognitive tasks. A study in… … Tweets of the Month October 2021 October 2021 November 9, 2021 4:16 pm - I am still tweeting what I consider interesting material once or twice every day. Here are two of my top… … Leadership in Complexity and Change For a World in Constant Motion November 8, 2021 4:54 pm - Sharon Varney's new book recently arrived, Leadership in Complexity and Change: For a World in Constant Motion. I have put… … He Had His Conversation in the World Conversari: to live, dwell, live with, keep company with November 8, 2021 7:49 am - A little while back, I came across an online etymology dictionary and was fascinated to learn the roots and the… … What Is Politics? A broad definition November 7, 2021 12:37 pm - In writing my blook, I often find myself wishing to write about a topic. However, before I get into it… … Tweet of the Month September 2021 September 2021 October 6, 2021 3:35 pm - If I ignore a Dibert tweet where Wally claims to be a raging sea of knowledge management and strategic thinking,… … Books on Conversational Leadership and Related Topics Conversation is King October 6, 2021 12:26 pm - Those of you who have taken a look at my website on Conversational Leadership know that it is a blook… … Making Sense of a Complex World There is no information we can trust October 5, 2021 4:02 pm - We live in a world of misinformation and disinformation. Furthermore, much information we need to make good sense of any… … Three Disturbing Things I Learned This Month That may or may not be true October 4, 2021 5:27 pm - I learned three disturbing things this month. And by disturb, I mean they have given me cause for some deep… … World Values Day Knowledge Café 21 October 2021 September 27, 2021 7:39 am - World Values Day is an annual campaign to increase the awareness and practice of values around the world. It provides… … How You Teach Kids How Easy It Is to Divide a Community The Salem Witch Trials September 27, 2021 7:28 am - This is a story about how easy it is to divide a community posted on Linkedin by Emine Fougner that… … Tweet of the Month August 2021 August 2021 September 14, 2021 10:26 am - My top tweet for August with over 58,000 impressions was a quote from Rory Stewart (@RoryStewartUK) — the former Member… … I Am a Catalyst Influencing the world's direction September 13, 2021 3:46 pm - I have long had difficulty describing who I am or what I do in a word or two. But I… … Please Stop Saying You Researched It You probably didn’t research anything September 13, 2021 8:53 am - This is a bit of a rant but given all of the misinformation and disinformation online it is an important… … Gurteen Knowledge Café Workshop September 2021 Conversation is King. Content is just something to talk about September 12, 2021 8:45 pm - My next Knowledge Café workshop is coming up fast on 21st September 2021. It should work well for EMEA/Americas time… … Should We Speak with Authority and Conviction? May be not September 10, 2021 9:03 pm - Prevailing wisdom says that we should speak with authority and conviction if we wish to convince or persuade someone. What… … Why Did I Decide to Write a Blook Rather Than a Book? A blook - across between a blog and a book August 29, 2021 8:39 pm - Friends have often suggested that I write a book, but I decided to write a blook instead. What is a… … Take Some Responsibility We may wait forever for others to do so August 6, 2021 4:50 pm - Take responsibility. Find something wrong, find something unjust, find something broken but more than anything else, find something you care… … Gurteen Knowledge Café Workshop September 2021 Conversation is King. Content is just something to talk about August 6, 2021 4:12 pm - I have 25 registrations for my next Knowledge Café workshop on 10th August 2021, and it is now closed for… … Start Hacking at the Branches of Evil Making an impact August 3, 2021 2:58 pm - Henry David Thoreau has had an enormous influence on me ever since I lived in Carlisle, Massachusetts, a few miles… … We Can Learn From Anyone There is always some signal August 3, 2021 11:07 am - Occasionally a reader of my knowledge letter takes issue with one of my posts or quotations that reference certain other… … Gurteen Knowledge Café Workshop August and September 2021 Conversation is King. Content is just something to talk about July 10, 2021 8:22 pm - I will be running my Knowledge Café workshop where I teach how to design and host Gurteen Knowledge Cafés on… … Knowledge Is Not Power Knowledge is an expression of the shared responsibilities for the collective well-being of humanity July 2, 2021 4:16 pm - I have written in my blook that knowledge alone is not power. But I rather like this definition of knowledge… … The Consilience Project Making better sense of the world June 27, 2021 6:30 pm - I want to introduce you to an exciting new project initiated by the Civilization Research Institute - the Consilience Project… … Has Democracy Outlived Its Usefulness? The best argument against Democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter June 23, 2021 6:53 pm - The United States' founding fathers understood the importance of a well-informed citizenry to vote wisely to elect good leaders, as these… … Consilience Project Website Facilitating a cultural renaissance June 20, 2021 2:50 pm - I blogged recently about the Consilience Project — co-founded by Daniel Schmachtenberger. The project team have now launched the Consilience… … Is Love the Answer? It may seem corny, but love is the answer June 19, 2021 9:05 pm - I have long thought that to help cure many of the ills in the world that all we needed to… … Do Not Speak Lashon Hara Evil tongue June 19, 2021 4:53 pm - I know little about Jewish history or culture, so when I came across the concept of lashon hara recently, I… … Gurteen Knowledge Café Workshop August and September 2021 Conversation is King. Content is just something to talk about June 8, 2021 2:03 pm - I ran my first Knowledge Café Workshop of 2021 in February and another more recently in May. Both workshops were… … Embedding Text From Wikipedia Importing text dynamically from Wikipedia June 8, 2021 1:40 pm - WordPress automatically creates a tag page for each tag that I use in my blook. Each of these tag pages… … Virtual Random Café A simple networking method in times of COVID June 7, 2021 5:14 pm - The Virtual Random Café is a simple conversational method that has much in common with randomized coffee trials and speed… … We Must Stop Trying to Do Things to Each Other And encourage engagement and ownership June 5, 2021 9:02 am - If we are to boost engagement and ownership, not buy-in, we must stop trying to do things to each other.… … Are People Untrustworthy? Or is it just our bad judgement? May 23, 2021 1:27 pm - I love Anthony de Mello's perspective on human nature when he says that if someone lets us down, we should… … Social Reasoning The Argumentative Theory of Human Reason May 7, 2021 3:34 pm - I recently came across a fascinating theory concerning the evolution of human reason known as "The Argumentative Theory of Human… … Societal Knowledge Management Reflections on the Future May 7, 2021 2:09 pm - I recently wrote an article for the Henley Forum on what I call Societal Knowledge Management that takes a somewhat… … The Value of a Contrarian Thinker They help you question your beliefs May 3, 2021 11:37 am - I used to have a good friend. We could talk about absolutely anything and had some incredible conversations. He died… … Making Better Sense of the World Through Conversation A conversation with David Gurteen, Director of Gurteen Knowledge May 2, 2021 9:32 am - Douglas Ferguson of Voltage Control recently recorded a podcast where I talked about conversion and making a better sense of… … A More Contested World A report on the future by the US Intelligence Community April 11, 2021 3:40 pm - The US Intelligence Community has published a report entitled Global Trends 2040: A More Contested World. The report has been… … What If Cats Could Send Text Messages? Lauren Gurteen April 8, 2021 9:05 am - This item is a little out of place in my newsletter, but how could I not help my daughter Lauren… … Gurteen Knowledge Café Workshop May 2021 Conversation is King. Content is just something to talk about April 7, 2021 5:56 pm - I ran my first Knowledge Café Workshop of 2021 in February. I had 23 participants, and as usual, it went… … Video Meeting Hand Signals Hand signals improve video meeting success April 7, 2021 2:52 pm - A study by UCL researchers has found that using a simple set of hand signals can improve the experience of… … Why Is Conversation So Easy? Surely it should be harder than giving a speech? April 7, 2021 1:57 pm - Many people find it difficult to give a speech, and it is not always easy to listen to one, but… … The Myth of Thamus and Theuth Has writing allowed the pretense of understanding rather than true understanding? April 6, 2021 7:58 pm - Have you ever considered the consequences of the invention of writing? Do you think that it may have weakened the… … Documents Are Not Knowledge It's the conversation about them that is important April 2, 2021 10:40 am - These two short quotations have much in common and are worth reflecting on. Interestingly, in a 2014 World Bank report,… … Most of Our Knowledge Is a Delusion We know far less than we think we do March 15, 2021 9:14 am - As individuals, we know far less than we think we do. Our education system teaches us to accept and memorize… … A Flaw in the Scientific Method? Edward de Bono March 12, 2021 11:26 am - I recently posted this quotation from Edward de Bono in my LinkedIn feed. I'm afraid I have to disagree that… … Becoming Agile: an International Festival of Learning (26 – 29 April) Henley Forum March 10, 2021 10:44 am - The Henley Forum 21st Annual Conference — Becoming Agile: An international festival of learning — is coming up in April.… … Together • Ensemble: Dream Big for Europe David Gurteen, Obhi Chatterjee & Julie Guégan March 4, 2021 8:40 am - I recently gave a conversational talk with Obhi Chatterjee (Head of Learning Technologies at the European Commission) and Julie Guégan… … Excellence in University Leadership & Management A call for case histories March 2, 2021 8:27 pm - Academic Publishing plans to publish a book that addresses some the achievements of some universities in their attempts to transform… … Reflections on the Future of Knowledge Management Societal Knowledge Management February 24, 2021 5:25 pm - Introduction I want to examine Knowledge Management's future, but I have a warning—it may not be what you expect. In… … Knowledge Alone Is Not Power or Is It? Seems not everyone agrees February 18, 2021 10:38 am - I recently posted this quotation on LinkedIn where Michael Schrage states that Knowledge Management is a bullshit issue. It has… … Proposed Free Speech Law to Fight Deplatforming in Universities Unnecessary bureaucracy? February 16, 2021 2:11 pm - I wrote about the need for freedom of speech in Universities recently, but I am not sure making it a… … In a Complex World How Do You Minimize, Maximize or Optimize Anything? You can't! February 13, 2021 6:55 pm - When reading business articles and marketing material, I have a problem with words like maximize, minimize, and optimize. In a… … Are Vague Ideas Sometimes Better Than Firm Ones? Maybe vague ideas are at the heart of being creative January 28, 2021 3:29 pm - I rather like this thought about ideas from Pablo Picasso. You have to have an idea of what you are… … How to Run a Personal Growth Community Design and run your own Personal Growth Community January 18, 2021 10:07 am - In my blook, I have dedicated a chapter to Conversational Stories that takes a look at several stories of how… … Third Annual Workshop on Conversational Leadership 26 - 30 April 2021 January 18, 2021 9:04 am - In 2018, John Hovell, Nancy Dixon, and I ran a Conversational Leadership workshop at the Elvetham - just a few… … Freedom of Speech in Universities It's our duty to tolerate colleagues even when they say things that we consider foolish January 13, 2021 11:37 am - Over the past few years, much has been reported in the press about so-called cancel culture and deplatforming where activists… … Gurteen Knowledge Café Workshop February 12th 2021 January 10, 2021 4:46 pm - I have not run a Knowledge Café Workshop for some time, but given the recent increased interest in the Café… … What Does Pope Francis Know About Knowledge Management? Quite a lot it would seem January 10, 2021 2:09 pm - What does Pope Francis know about Knowledge Management? Quite a lot, it would seem to judge from this excerpt of… … Talking Rubbish It is through taking rubbish we make sense of the world January 3, 2021 4:20 pm - At times, "talking rubbish" can be a good thing. Let me explain. Too often in a conversation, while trying to… … Using the Concept of Signal-to-noise Ratio as a Metaphor The ratio of useful or true information to false or irrelevant information December 31, 2020 2:31 pm - Daniel Smachtenberger, when discussing the pollution of the information ecosystem with misinformation and disinformation in his talks on the War… … New Blog and Newsletter Moving from Lotus Notes to WordPress December 29, 2020 8:00 am - You may have noticed something different about this month's newsletter. I have moved both my blog and my Knowledge Letter… … The Dialogic Mindset Leading Emergent Change in a Complex World December 16, 2020 10:47 am - If you are interested in dialogic OD and how leadership needs to adapt to better cope with our increasingly complex… … Ten Questions for Work That Matters What contribution are you making? December 15, 2020 2:40 pm - I love Seth Godin's blog. Almost every post is short, and each one is a gem. Here is a lovely… … Is Bill Gates a Force for Good or Evil? Bill Gates and conspiracy theories December 8, 2020 12:50 pm - Several conspiracy theories are circulating about Bill Gates, such as the microchip conspiracy theory. Astonishingly, a YouGov poll of 1,640… … Would You Rather Be Uninformed or Misinformed? False quotations on the web December 8, 2020 11:37 am - I recently came across this quotation that I rather loved, supposedly from Mark Twain. If you don't read the newspaper,… … From Moral to Market Sentiments by Mark Carney Reith Lectures 2020 – How We Get What We Value December 2, 2020 2:51 pm - I caught this first Reith Lecture of 2020 From Moral to Market Sentiments by Mark Carney (former Bank of England… … Talking with Strangers Can Be Exceptionally Rewarding Talk to strangers December 2, 2020 12:01 pm - As a child, we are taught not to talk with strangers, and as a 4-year-old with little experience of the… … Do You Know the Difference Between Complex and Complicated? Most people don't November 27, 2020 10:02 pm - Do you know the difference between complex and complicated? Most people don't. It's an important distinction to understand when living… …Photo Credits: Midjourney (Public Domain)
This page is part of a blook on Conversational Leadership. Parts of this book have restricted access. You can learn more about the book and how to obtain full access on the home page.