Comment: A powerful reminder that in complex systems, rigid goals often blind us to emergent possibilities—direction matters more than destination.I have long argued, and repeated ad nauseam that in complexity we start journeys with a sense of direction we don’t try and achieve goals.
We remain open to the evolutionary opportunities of the here and now, the present and the adjacent future states.
Credit: Dave Snowden
Source: On craft in strategy by Dave Snowden
People: Dave Snowden (1)
Posts: Dave Snowden (7)
- Carpe Diem – Seize the Day Seize the day everyone
- Changing People ** The challenge of trying to change people
- Conversations Through the Cynefin Lens Unraveling the intricacies of everyday conversations
- In Complex Situations Cause and Effect Can Only Be Understood in Retrospect Why prediction breaks down in complex situations
- The Cynefin Framework A conceptual framework to help make decisions
- The Vector Theory of Change Navigating change in a complex world
- We Humans Are Complex Human socio-technical systems are complex
Books: Dave Snowden (1)
Quotations: Dave Snowden (14)
- A Wayshaper Does Not Direct Dave Snowden
- Changing the Interactions Between People Dave Snowden
- Complex Humans Are Mind-body-world Beings Dave Snowden
- Decisions Are Shaped Before They Are Made Dave Snowden
- Idealistic Verses Naturalistic Approach to Business Dave Snowden
- Knowledge Is Given When It Is Needed Dave Snowden
- Knowledge Management Should Deal with the Evolutionary Possibilities of the Present Dave Snowden
- Mindset Change Smacks of Indoctrination Dave Snowden
- Stop Making Lists of Idealised Qualities of How Things Should Be Dave Snowden
- The Intent Is Pelagian. the Architecture Is Augustinian. Dave Snowden
- True Eureka Innovation Is Only Going to Happen by Engagement in the Real World Dave Snowden
- True Values Are Not Taught and Declared Dave Snowden
- We Always Know More Than We Can Say Dave Snowden
- What Is Organizational Culture? Dave Snowden
Videos: Dave Snowden (2)
Papers: Dave Snowden (1)
Blog Posts: Dave Snowden (3)
Tags: adjacent possible (4) | change (25) | complexity (101) | Dave Snowden (41) | theory of change (4) | vector theory of change (8)
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In-person, 7–11 September 2026, Warbrook House, Hampshire, UK
We are living and working in conditions of uncertainty, complexity, and rapid change. Many leadership approaches still rely on control, expertise, and tools that no longer fit the realities people face.
This week-long immersive workshop brings people together to practise Conversational Leadership as a shared, lived experience. It is not a training course but a space to slow down, think together, and explore how leadership emerges through dialogue, responsibility, and real engagement.