In this book, Curious, Ian Leslie makes a passionate case for the cultivation of our “desire to know.” Drawing on fascinating research from psychology, economics, education, and business, Ian looks at what feeds curiosity and what starves it and finds surprising answers. Curiosity is a mental muscle that atrophies without regular exercise and a habit … Continue reading Curious: the Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends on It by Ian Leslie (2014)
Gurteen Knowledge Blog April 7, 2021, 17:56I ran my first Knowledge Café Workshop of 2021 in February. I had 23 participants, and as usual, it went well, and I had some excellent feedback. If you are not familiar with the method, the Knowledge Café is a simple way to bring a small group of people together … Continue reading Gurteen Knowledge Café Workshop May 2021 Conversation is King. Content is just something to talk about
Gurteen Knowledge Blog June 10, 2022, 11:38Look at this story about the Himba tribe of Namibia in Southern Africa, posted on LinkedIn. Hundreds of replies have commented on what a beautiful story it is. It IS a lovely story — maybe too sweet. When I read a story like this — I google it and add … Continue reading Himba Baby Song True or false?
Gurteen Knowledge Blog June 27, 2023, 13:47Over 700 people receive my daily Conversational Leadership quote of the day, and nearly 3,000 subscribe to my old Gurteen.com quote of the day. Both services are free and I encourage you to register if you are interested. I frequently receive feedback from people who either dislike or disagree with … Continue reading The Best Quotations Provoke Thought and Reflection They need not be true or the author necessarily respected
video player Why do we believe things that aren’t true? | Philip Fernbach Transcript One Transcript starting at 2:10 to 3:38. (I’ve highlighted some of the text to draw attention to the more pertinent points.) As human beings, false belief is our birthright. It stems from fundamental principles that govern the way our minds work … Continue reading Why Do We Believe Things That Aren’t True? Philip Fernbach (2017)
Gurteen Knowledge Blog June 8, 2021, 14:03I ran my first Knowledge Café Workshop of 2021 in February and another more recently in May. Both workshops were well attended, and I had some excellent feedback. I am rerunning the workshop on 10th August 2021 for EMEA/Asia/Pacific time zones and again on 21st September 2021 for EMEA/Americas time … Continue reading Gurteen Knowledge Café Workshop August and September 2021 Conversation is King. Content is just something to talk about
Gurteen Knowledge Blog December 8, 2020, 12:50Several conspiracy theories are circulating about Bill Gates, such as the microchip conspiracy theory. Astonishingly, a YouGov poll of 1,640 people suggests that 28% of Americans believe that he wants to use vaccines to implant microchips in people. To gain some idea of the diversity of opinion about him – … Continue reading Is Bill Gates a Force for Good or Evil? Bill Gates and conspiracy theories
Gurteen Knowledge Blog March 16, 2023, 09:24I love this short video on LinkedIn, “It’s not about the fish,” from Johnnie Moore. Johnnie’s ideas tie in well with my thinking on Conversational Leadership, which at its simplest is about taking a ‘conversational approach to life’. It’s no wonder I love his term ‘working conversationally’. And his ending … Continue reading Working Conversationally: It’s Not About the Fish Why ‘working conversationally’ is not as trivial as it might sound
To really work conversationally, I think, is potentially to be really open to the complexity of what being human is like. Credit: Johnnie Moore Posts where this quotation is embedded Brainstorming A group discussion to produce a list of ideas or solutions to a problem. British Gentlemen’s Clubs ** Of the 17th and 18th Centuries Building 20 at … Continue reading To Really Work Conversationally Johnnie Moore, 2023
Gurteen Knowledge Blog August 29, 2023, 11:21I believe the traditional annual performance review is on its way out. Back in 2015, I tweeted about companies like Accenture eliminating them. Now, in 2023, more organizations like Apple and Microsoft are phasing them out, too. This is a positive trend that I’ve long advocated for. Annual performance reviews … Continue reading No More Annual Performance Reviews Replace them by on-going performance conversations
Gurteen Knowledge Blog March 12, 2021, 11:26I recently posted this quotation from Edward de Bono in my LinkedIn feed. I’m afraid I have to disagree that it is a flaw in the scientific method. Still, it’s an interesting thought and has had a mixture of comments on LinkedIn, some supporting the view, others disagreeing. Take a … Continue reading A Flaw in the Scientific Method? Edward de Bono
Gurteen Knowledge Blog May 27, 2024, 10:29Ross Dawson started a recent interesting thread on LinkedIn on whether Large Language Models are or will be sentient. The thread was prompted by an article by Stanford luminary Fei-Fei Li, who argues that AI isn’t sentient because it lacks subjective experiences. This provoked me to chat with ChatGPT on … Continue reading Are Large Language Models Sentient? Sentience is the capacity to experience sensations, thoughts, and feelings
Please stop saying you researched it. You didn’t research anything and it is highly probable you don’t know how to do so. Did you compile a literature review and write abstracts on each article? Or better yet, did you collect a random sample of sources and perform independent probability statistics on the reported results? No? … Continue reading Please Stop Saying You Researched It Linda Gamble Spadaro
Gurteen Knowledge Blog January 18, 2021, 09:04In 2018, John Hovell, Nancy Dixon, and I ran a Conversational Leadership workshop at the Elvetham – just a few miles from my home and last year, John Hovell, Donita Volkwijn, and I reran it online. In 2021, John Hovell, Donita Volkwijn, Saule Menane, and I will be running it … Continue reading Third Annual Workshop on Conversational Leadership 26 – 30 April 2021
Register to receive the Gurteen Knowledge Letter by email each month Browse Previous Knowledge Letters Gurteen Knowledge Letter Issue 281 – November 2023 Recently, I hosted two Intergenerational Knowledge Cafés with Hank Kune, Charles Fowler, and Minal Kering as part of World Values Day. These events united elders (aged 60 and above) and students (aged … Continue reading Gurteen Knowledge Letter November 2023 Issue 281
Gurteen Knowledge Blog September 3, 2022, 18:07I have recently started a little project, and I could do with a little help. I am pulling together a selection of videos and podcasts that exemplify various discourse genres and compare their pros and cons. This is very early material, and it will change as I develop it I … Continue reading Request for Help with My Discourse Project Genres of discourse
Certified Knowledge Specialist in Conversational Leadership Join the Debut Class: Feb 27-Mar 3, 2023 The 5-day virtual class, delivered live over Zoom; 10am – 4pm ET. Introduction Now you can earn Certification in Conversational Leadership – the fast-growing and evolving art of conversation to improve communication in the workplace as well as in our everyday … Continue reading Certified Knowledge Specialist in Conversational Leadership Join the Debut Class: Feb 27-Mar 3, 2023
Register to receive the Gurteen Knowledge Letter by email each month Browse Previous Knowledge Letters Gurteen Knowledge Letter Issue 274 – April 2023 I organized my first Knowledge Café in London in September 2002 and have regularly hosted them there and in other countries worldwide for over 20 years. Recently, with the advent of technologies … Continue reading Gurteen Knowledge Letter April 2023 Issue 274
John Hagel is a management consultant and author who specializes in helping executives to anticipate and address emerging business opportunities and challenges. He is the founder and co-chairman of Deloitte‘s Center for the Edge. I don’t know John but I love his work, especially his blog posts (see this post on spirit set), not only … Continue reading John Hagel Management Consultant & Author
This paper discusses research into the knowledge café technique conducted over the last 10 years. It also summarises knowledge sharing techniques similar to knowledge cafés and assesses some of the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques. Abstract This paper discusses research into the knowledge café technique conducted over the last 10 years. The paper summarises knowledge sharing techniques … Continue reading Why Knowledge Cafés Can Be Valuable to Organisations Peter Sharp (2019)
Gurteen Knowledge Blog October 30, 2023, 06:09Lex Fridman is a podcaster and research scientist at MIT, working on human-centered artificial intelligence. The Lex Fridman Podcast has over 3 million subscribers on YouTube. On his podcasts, Lex has in-depth conversations with leading thinkers in technology, science, and culture. His guests have included Elon Musk, Deepak Chopra, Roger … Continue reading Lex Fridman Podcaster and research scientist at MIT
Executive Summary Overview This report provides an evaluation of Climate Assembly UK (CAUK). This was a citizens’ assembly commissioned by six select committees from the House of Commons: Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS); Environmental Audit; Housing, Communities and Local Government, Science and Technology; Transport; and Treasury. It was tasked with providing recommendations on how … Continue reading Evaluation of Climate Assembly UK Stephen Elstub, David M. Farrell, Jayne Carrick and Patricia Mockler (2021)
Gurteen Knowledge Blog August 29, 2024, 08:16Effective conversation is essential for strong relationships and personal growth. The Johari Window provides a framework for understanding how self-awareness and feedback can improve communication. Learn how to apply this approach to enhance your conversations. Knowledge Letter: Issue: 291 (Subscribe)Tags: johari window (2)RSS: Blog FeedPhoto Credits: Midjourney (Public Domain) It’s Just … Continue reading Improve Your Conversations Use the Johari Window to improve communication and personal growth
Join the Class: October 7-8, 2024 This 2-day virtual class will be delivered live over Zoom, 10 am – 4 pm ET. Introduction Now you can earn Certification in Conversational Leadership – the fast-growing and evolving art of conversation to improve communication in the workplace as well as in our everyday lives. Based on the … Continue reading Certified Knowledge Specialist in Conversational Leadership Virtual Class: Oct 7-8, 2024
Don’t ask kids what they want to be when they grow up but what problems do they want to solve. This changes the conversation from who do I want to work for, to what do I need to learn to be able to do that. Credit: Jaime Casap Google global education evangelist Posts where this … Continue reading Don’t Ask Kids What They Want to Be When They Grow Up Jaime Casap
Chris Corrigan is a facilitator of participatory practices such as Open Space Technology and the World Café. He specializes in large group facilitation process and participatory approaches to change, complexity and systemic innovation. I have followed Chris’s work via his blog and Twitter feed for several years and am impressed with his ability to explain … Continue reading Chris Corrigan Participatory practices facilitator
This is an external resource such as an article, blog. Below is a summary of the key points from the resource, along with a link to the complete article. The full article can be accessed via the link if you would like to read the content in its entirety. Harvard Business Review: The Neurochemistry of … Continue reading The Neurochemistry of Positive Conversations Judith E. Glaser and Richard D. Glaser (2014)
Register to receive the Gurteen Knowledge Letter by email each month Browse Previous Knowledge Letters Gurteen Knowledge Letter Issue 251 – May 2021 Introduction My next Knowledge Café workshop is coming up fast in just over 1 week on 20th May. You can find more information and register for it here. I had some great … Continue reading Gurteen Knowledge Letter May 2021 Issue 251
Register to receive the Gurteen Knowledge Letter by email each month Browse Previous Knowledge Letters Gurteen Knowledge Letter Issue 249 – March 2021 Introduction This is the fourth issue of my Knowledge Letter in its new format and location. I hope you are enjoying it and the close integration with my blook on Conversational Leadership. … Continue reading Gurteen Knowledge Letter March 2021 Issue 249
Register to receive the Gurteen Knowledge Letter by email each month Browse Previous Knowledge Letters Gurteen Knowledge Letter Issue 250 – April 2021 Introduction The third annual workshop on Conversational Leadership is coming up in two weeks on April 26 – 30. This is your last chance to register. It’s an interactive, conversational event with … Continue reading Gurteen Knowledge Letter April 2021 Issue 250
Conversational Leadership Workshop This workshop is over. Another is being planned for 2021. You will find full details here. 20 – 22 September 2019 What is Conversational Leadership? Conversational Leadership | David gurteen If you would like to learn more see the home page of this blook on Conversational Leadership but of course the best … Continue reading Conversational Leadership Workshop September 2019 Taking a conversational approach to work & life
Introduction: Innovation Building 20 at MIT Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Nurturing an innovative culture goes beyond traditional management and control methods. Many initiatives fail by trying to enforce change through rigid directives, which can backfire. Instead, culture should be seen as emergent, evolving naturally through interactions, flexibility, and supportive environments where creativity … Continue reading Nurturing an Innovation Culture Allowing emergence, not imposing change
Introduction: Complexity Complex Is Not the Same as Complicated Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Systems are integral to various aspects of life, from nature to technology. Understanding systems can be challenging due to their complexity and interdependence. By examining their components and relationships, we can gain insights and develop solutions for effectively managing … Continue reading What Is a System? ** An interconnected set of elements organized in a way that achieves something
Nurturing an Innovation Culture Silicon Valley Versus Route 128 Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Amid World War II, the U.S. urgently needed advancements in radar technology. MIT lacked adequate space, so the hastily built Building 20 became home to wartime research. This makeshift structure’s flexibility and interdisciplinary environment ignited groundbreaking collaboration, proving innovation … Continue reading Building 20 at MIT Innovation Story: A humble wartime lab that sparked a legacy of innovation and collaboration
Silicon Valley Versus Route 128 The Google 20% Free Time Policy Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Urban transportation has long struggled with inefficiencies, from unreliable taxis to limited convenience. These challenges called for innovative solutions to make getting around easier. Uber answered with a groundbreaking platform, using GPS and smartphone technology to transform … Continue reading The Birth of Uber Innovation Story: How everyday frustrations and collaboration shaped Uber’s global transformation
Complex Is Not the Same as Complicated Complex Systems ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Distinguishing between complex systems and complex adaptive systems is essential. The challenge is that these terms are often used interchangeably. By understanding the key differences, we can better analyze and predict system behaviors in diverse domains. Introduction People … Continue reading Complex Systems and Complex Adaptive Systems ** Complexity
Title: Conversational Leadership Workshop 2021 Date: Monday 26 April to Friday 30 April 2021 Time: 14:00 to 20:00 CET (13:00 to 19:00 BST, 08:00 to 14:00 EST) Location: Online (Zoom and Miro) Price: Early bird €650 before 1 March; €999 after 1 March Registration: This workshop is over. (Future Events) In these troubling times, when … Continue reading Annual Conversational Leadership Workshop 2021 26 – 30 April 2021
The Cynefin Framework Conversations Are Complex Responsive Processes Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) Overview Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) are systems composed of many interacting components or agents that adapt or learn based on their interactions with each other and their environment. These systems exhibit emergent behavior, meaning that the … Continue reading Complex Adaptive Systems Vs. Complex Responsive Processes ** Complexity
Complex Adaptive Systems Vs. Complex Responsive Processes ** Conversations Through the Cynefin Lens Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Conversations are a familiar part of daily life, yet their complexity often goes unnoticed. Beneath the surface, they function as complex, responsive processes, where participants continuously react and adapt to each other. By recognizing the … Continue reading Conversations Are Complex Responsive Processes Conversations are dynamic, emergent interactions shaping organizational reality
This blook is not just about me. Numerous people, some living, some not, have understood the power of conversation, appreciated the complexity of the world, and have influenced my thinking. You will find the profiles of a few of these people here. The list below is a subset of these people, whose prime focus is … Continue reading Conversation Thinkers It’s the fringe thinkers who change the world
This blook is not just about me. Numerous people, some living, some not, have understood the power of conversation, appreciated the complexity of the world, and have influenced my thinking. You will find the profiles of a few of these people here. The list below is a subset of these people, whose prime focus is … Continue reading Complexity Thinkers It’s the fringe thinkers who change the world
The Neuroscience of Conversation The Nature of Consciousness Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Hormones and possibly pheromones greatly influence our social interactions and conversational dynamics. The role of these chemical messengers is often overlooked, leading to miscommunications and strained relationships. Understanding the effects of these chemicals can help improve communication and interpersonal connections. … Continue reading Conversational Chemistry The role of chemical messengers in communication
Introduction: Knowledge Management The Importance of Tacit Knowledge Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Effective Knowledge Management is crucial in today’s complex world, however, the distinction between terms like data, information, knowledge, explicit, tacit, and implicit knowledge can often be confusing. It is important to have a clear understanding of the differences. Introduction The … Continue reading Data, Information and Knowledge What’s the difference?
Protected: My Writing Process ## Diplomacy ## Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter 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. Understanding Knowledge Cafés … Continue reading Nurturing a Collaborative Culture Through Knowledge Cafés Using Knowledge Cafés to bridge silos and encourage open dialogue
What Is the Difference Between Rhetoric and Oracy? What Is a Real Conversation? Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Conversation is a form of interactive, spontaneous communication between two or more people. Typically it occurs in spoken communication, as written exchanges are usually not referred to as conversations. The development of conversational skills and … Continue reading Introduction: the Power of Conversation A powerful, adaptable human technology
Conversations Through the Cynefin Lens Emergence in Complex Systems ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter In today’s complex world, the ability to effectively navigate and respond to different situations and contexts is crucial. This is where the concept of dispositional states is particularly important. The world we live in is no longer neatly … Continue reading Dispositional States ** Complexity
Dispositional States ** The Vector Theory of Change Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Emergence in a complex system refers to the phenomenon where new patterns, behaviors, or properties arise at the system level that cannot be easily predicted or explained by analyzing the system’s individual components in isolation. In other words, the system’s … Continue reading Emergence in Complex Systems ** Complexity
This blook is not just about me. Numerous people, some living, some not, have understood the power of conversation, appreciated the world’s complexity, and have influenced my thinking. You will find the profiles of a few of them listed below. Each profile says (or will say when complete) a few words about the person, how … Continue reading People on Conversational Leadership It’s the fringe thinkers who change the world
Emergence in Complex Systems ** Navigating Complexity with Safe-to-fail Probes Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Traditional change management methods, with their rigid plans and fixed outcomes, often struggle in today’s complex, unpredictable environments. Dave Snowden’s Vector Theory of Change offers a more adaptable solution by focusing on setting a broad direction (vector) rather … Continue reading The Vector Theory of Change Navigating change in a complex world
The Vector Theory of Change Exploring Uncertainty – the Role of Catalytic and Safe-to-fail Probes Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Navigating complex systems requires innovative problem-solving approaches. Traditional linear methods often prove ineffective in unpredictable environments. Safe-to-fail probes offer a valuable tool for gaining insights, building resilience, and driving sustainable change through small-scale … Continue reading Navigating Complexity with Safe-to-fail Probes The power of safe-to-fail probes
Diplomacy ## Write to Think ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter 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 can stifle bloggers and academic writers alike. His unconventional insights provide the key to engaging readers, making … Continue reading Crafting Writing That Drives Change Larry McEnerney’s insights on good writing
Technical Challenges and Complex Adaptive Challenges Unintended Consequences Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Complex systems defy simplistic problem-solving. Rather than definitive solutions, we can only respond to the intricate web of interconnected elements. In a complex environment, there are no solutions, only an endless series of adaptive responses. Complex systems are characterized by … Continue reading There Are No Solutions to Complex Challenges Only an endless series of adaptive responses
Unintended Consequences Adaptive Leadership ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter In an unpredictable world, achieving complex goals through direct methods often fails. Traditional, rigid planning can fall apart under changing circumstances. Embracing obliquity—an indirect, adaptive approach—leads to success by allowing flexibility, learning from failures, and focusing on meaningful pursuits. Obliquity is a concept … Continue reading Obliquity in a Complex World In a complex world, goals are often best achieved indirectly
One of the ideas behind this blook is that as I write it, a small group of interested people can comment and give me feedback as it develops. I’d appreciate any feedback that you might have. Please leave it as replies to the individual posts on which you wish to comment or if you prefer you … Continue reading Feedback on This Blook Please give me feedback
This website is a form of blook. It is a hybrid of a blog, a website, and an online book. I created a “blook” and defined the blook format as I could not find anything that met my needs. Read anytime, anywhere, on any device. I tend to read everything online on my laptop, iPad, … Continue reading This Is a Blook A blook is a cross between a blog and a book
Evaluate Sources and Evidence Explore What’s Missing Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Explore Other Perspectives: Ask the chatbot to provide alternative perspectives on a subject. This method encourages us to consider different viewpoints, developing a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the topic. Here’s an example of how to practice using the “Explore … Continue reading Explore Other Perspectives Use the chatbot to broaden your understanding of a subject
From Mind to Information – the Role of AI in Knowledge Encoding Introduction: Artificial Intelligence Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter AI language models are transforming creative expression, echoing postproduction art’s remixing practices. Traditional notions of original authorship face challenges in this new landscape. AI enables creators to curate, remix, and collaborate with existing … Continue reading The Postproduction Paradigm – AI and the Art of Remixing LLMs as catalysts for a remix revolution
Collective Sense-making Peer Instruction Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Conversational learning is a form of learning that takes place through meaningful conversations and interactions between individuals. It emphasizes the importance of dialogue, exchange of ideas, and active engagement in the learning process. Unlike traditional, more one-sided learning forms, conversational learning promotes a collaborative … Continue reading Introduction: Conversational Learning Unleashing knowledge
Introduction: Conversational Leadership Skills Conversational Self-awareness Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Without oracy skills, we would struggle to communicate our ideas and opinions, leading to challenges in personal and professional settings. This can include difficulty building relationships, advocating for ourselves, and contributing to group discussions. What is oracy? Simply put, oracy is the … Continue reading Oracy Is a Core Conversational Leadership Skill Communicating effectively in spoken language
Conversational Self-awareness Conversational Awareness Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Effective communication is essential for building strong relationships and developing self-awareness. When communication breaks down or misunderstandings occur, it can strain personal connections. The Johari Window model offers a valuable framework to enhance communication and foster mutual understanding. INTRODUCTION The Johari Window is a psychological … Continue reading Conversation Through the Lens of the Johari Window Understanding ourselves and others through conversation
Data, Information and Knowledge The Relationship Between Explicit Knowledge and Tacit Knowledge Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Tacit knowledge is a type of knowledge that is difficult to express or communicate through words. It is a vital component of human expertise and plays a crucial role in enabling us to adapt to new … Continue reading The Importance of Tacit Knowledge Tacit knowledge is knowledge that is difficult to transfer
Storytelling ** Weaponizing Public Discourse ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Society’s prevailing narratives frequently infiltrate our everyday discussions, subtly influencing us to adopt their rhetorical patterns unconsciously. Nevertheless, thoughtlessly replicating these dominant discourses hinders our ability to think independently and may inadvertently strengthen detrimental ideologies. We must become more conscious of how … Continue reading Dominant Discourse and Narrative ** Shape the world
Introduction: Conversational Methods Anecdote Circles Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter It’s easy to move from one activity to the next without pausing to reflect. This absence of reflection often results in repeated mistakes and missed opportunities for improvement. As a vital tool in Conversational Leadership, regularly using After-Action Reviews allows teams to learn … Continue reading Improving Performance with After-action Reviews Building a culture of improvement
Knowledge Cafés at NASA Knowledge Cafés at ING Bank, Netherlands Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter This story about the Virtual Random Café was written by Obhi Chatterjee – Head of Sector – Learning Technologies in the European Commission in Belgium. The Virtual Random Café is a simple way to make space for the … Continue reading The Virtual Random Café Informal conversations and networking … from home
The Art of Navigating Conversations Difficult Conversations Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What is conversational continuous self-improvement? We can improve our conversational abilities through the process of conversational continuous self-improvement. Our goal is to become more effective and confident in our ability to communicate with others. How can we continuously improve our conversational … Continue reading Conversational Continuous Self-improvement ** Making ongoing incremental improvements to our conversations
Anecdote Circles Brainstorming Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter In challenging conversations, differing viewpoints can lead to tension and misunderstandings. A conversation covenant offers a structured approach to ensure respectful, constructive dialogue. By establishing agreed-upon guidelines, it helps create a safe environment for discussing even the most difficult topics. What is a conversation covenant? … Continue reading Conversation Covenant Creating a psychologically safer space for difficult conversations
Conversation Covenant Brown-bag Lunches ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What is brainstorming? Brainstorming is a popular ideation technique for generating new ideas. The basic premise is to get a group together and have them share their ideas freely, without judgment. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible, regardless of … Continue reading Brainstorming A group discussion to produce a list of ideas or solutions to a problem.
Influential Power ** Consensus ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Measures Before you measure anything, you should carefully determine your objectives. What are you trying to achieve, and what is the purpose of making the measurements? Moreover, you should ask, are measurements the best way of achieving your goals? Why Measure? There are … Continue reading Measures, Targets, Rewards and Punishments When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure
Actor-network Theory (ANT) Retrospective Coherence in a Complex World Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Actor-network theory (ANT) expands our understanding of the factors and forces that shape outcomes in complex systems by recognizing the role of non-human entities. However, focusing exclusively on these elements can risk overlooking the distinct influence of human agency. … Continue reading The Role of Human Agency Within Actor-network Theory Actor-network theory
Introduction: Strategy Strategy in a Complex World ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Strategy is about making plans and decisions to achieve goals in different situations. The challenge is understanding its role and adapting it to fit changing needs. By doing so, it helps guide actions and shape outcomes. The term strategy is … Continue reading The Many Faces of Strategy ** How strategy varies from simple plans to shaping entire environments
Knowledge Cafés at Johnson & Johnson Knowledge Cafés at PSMA Australia Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter The Knowledge Café is often at its best when it is used to convene conversations to give people “a say” in topics and issues that are relevant to them. I received an email in January 2017 from … Continue reading Knowledge Cafés at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Give people a voice
Make Big Talk Connect People Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Connect more: Connect with people more broadly and more deeply. We are becoming more connected with each other and less connected with each other at the same time. The Paradox We are becoming more connected with each other and less connected with each … Continue reading Connect More Connect more broadly, more deeply
Our Old Ways of Thinking and Working Are Failing Our World Is Hyperconnected Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Despite overall improvements in quality of life, our world faces numerous challenges. Global issues span personal, societal, and environmental domains and threaten long-term sustainability. Addressing these complex problems requires a better understanding and collaboration at … Continue reading Our World Is a Mess The metacrisis
A Knowledge Café at Viva Conversation in Hong Kong Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter I have been running regular Knowledge Cafés in the evenings in London since September 2002. These events are entirely free and are open to the public. I run them about 6 times a year and usually get between 30 … Continue reading Passion at the Gurteen Knowledge Café Blog post by Mathew Rees
Conversation in Hong Kong A Conversation Dinner in Turin Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter On 16th March 2017, I ran a Knowledge Café in London for NetIKX (The Network for Information and Knowledge Exchange) – an independent community interested in information and knowledge management. The purpose of the Café was to explore the problems of entrenched … Continue reading Gurteen Knowledge Café: Entrenched and Entrained Thinking A blog post by Conrad Taylor
The London Coffeehouses of the Enlightenment Salons Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter During the 17th and 18th centuries, Britain witnessed the rise of various gentlemen’s clubs, which served as hubs for intellectual discourse, socializing, and the exchange of ideas. These clubs played a significant role in shaping the intellectual and cultural landscape of … Continue reading British Gentlemen’s Clubs ** Of the 17th and 18th Centuries
Turn-taking in Conversation Our Most Powerful Technology Is Conversation Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Pask’s Conversation Theory, developed by British cybernetician Gordon Pask in the 1970s, is a conceptual and theoretical framework that explores how learning occurs through conversations between two or more cognitive systems, which can be humans, machines, or a combination … Continue reading Conversation Theory ** Gordon Pask
A Conversation Dinner in Turin Knowledge Cafés at the European Patent Office Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter The Huawei Break the Book Community is a Reading Group Café – a simple but powerful example of peer learning that has much in keeping with the principles of the Knowledge Café. In November 2015, I gave a talk … Continue reading The Huawei Break the Book Community A powerful example of peer learning
Knowledge Cafés at the European Patent Office Knowledge Cafés at National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter In 2006, I ran a knowledge-sharing workshop for an international organization in Zurich. As part of the workshop, I ran a Knowledge Café. The experience transformed my understanding of the power … Continue reading Knowledge Café in Zurich, Switzerland The Knowledge Café has empowered our staff to speak up and take the initiative
The House of Wisdom The Power of Serendipity Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Innovation often feels like it belongs to someone else—an elite team in a distant corner of the company, a select few “creatives,” or an abstract concept reserved for special projects. But what if innovation was something everyone could embrace daily? … Continue reading The Innovation Café Network Sparking everyday innovation
Introduction: Knowledge Café Design ** Knowledge Café: Purpose Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter A Knowledge Café should be planned rather than left to chance. The best way to accomplish this is to review and act on the design questions below. Several questions should be considered when designing a Knowledge Café before running it. … Continue reading Knowledge Café: Design Checklist Knowledge Cafés should be thoughtfully designed
Knowledge Cafés ** Are There Any Questions? Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter So often at conferences, the organizers allow little time for conversation and networking. They feel they do not have the time to spare as they need to pack in so much content. But what about before and after the conference – … Continue reading Conference Breakfasts and Dinners A great opportunity to network and build relationships
Gossip and Lashon Hara Ownership, Not Buy-in Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Effective leadership is vital for driving positive change in a complex world. However, many view leadership as a position of authority rather than a practice accessible to all. We can create a more engaged and sustainable society by recognizing that anyone … Continue reading Leadership Is a Practice Not a Position of Authority Anyone can practice leadership
Sugar Rush at the Knowledge Café Intimate Conversations Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Randomised Coffee Trials (RCTS) are a way of connecting people in an organization at random to give them time to meet to have a coffee and talk about whatever they wish. They are a simple, low-cost means of enabling people to … Continue reading Randomised Coffee Trials at Red Cross Red Crescent Virtual coffee meetings across the globe
Flipped Teaching The Oracy Lab Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Team alignment and communication can be challenging. Miscommunication and lack of cohesion often result in inefficiencies and missed opportunities. As a key tool of Conversational Leadership, Huddles offer a quick, effective way for teams to connect, share updates, and maintain focus on common … Continue reading The Power of Team Huddles How brief team gatherings can align, motivate, and connect
Espresso Café Ritual Dissent Café ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter The debate part of a Café Debate is clearly about debate but like regular Knowledge Cafés the Café conversation is still about dialogue – not debate. The debate serves to sharpen up and focus on the important aspects of the issue under … Continue reading Knowledge Café Debate Debate sharpens up the important aspects of the issue under discussion
Collective Sense-making Café ** Ideation Café Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter There are several ways to obtain people’s opinions and feedback. Surveys, interviews, and focus groups are three of the most common. The Focus Group Café is another possibility. Surveys The first method is the ubiquitous questionnaire or survey form. They are convenient … Continue reading Focus Group Café An improvement on traditional focus groups?
The Power of Team Huddles Ongoing Performance Conversations Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter The Oracy Lab is an experimental space for exploring the power and possibilities of conversations and spoken communication for conveying meaning and co-creating a deeper understanding of the complexity and dynamics of the world. Oracy is the ability to speak … Continue reading The Oracy Lab An experimental space for exploring the power and possibilities of conversations
Group Polarization Facilitator Bias ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What is social loafing? Social loafing primarily happens when we unconsciously or consciously put less effort into a task when part of a group than when working alone. Why does social loafing happen? Social loafing can happen when we feel our contributions will … Continue reading Social Loafing The tendancy to put less effort into a task when we are part of a group
Intimate Conversations Equinor Management Training Cafés Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Customer satisfaction surveys often rely on brief, limited questions that don’t capture the whole picture. This method can lead to overlooked feedback and biased responses. The Hong Kong MTR has a more engaging approach: it sets up coffee booths and special carriages … Continue reading Hong Kong MTR Coffee Evenings and Liaison Trains An improvement over traditional customer surveys
The Oracy Lab Open Space Technology ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter The days of the traditional annual or semi-annual performance review are coming to an end at many companies. These formal reviews are being replaced by more regular coaching conversations between managers and employees. Annual performance reviews have many flaws. They often … Continue reading Ongoing Performance Conversations From annual performance reviews to on-going performance conversations
Open Space Technology ** Peer Assist Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Traditional learning often lacks the ongoing skill-building and problem-solving needed in a changing workplace. Peer learning addresses this through collaboration and reflection to develop new skills. Peer learning is a collaborative approach to learning where individuals learn from and with each other. … Continue reading Peer Learning Unlocking collective wisdom
Peer Learning Pitching by Conversation ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter A Peer Assist is a conversational method that brings together a group of peers to elicit feedback on a problem, project or activity, and draw lessons from the participants’ knowledge and experience. An introduction to peer assists https://kfh.libraryservices.nhs.uk/knowledge-management/km-goals-tools-and-techniques/peer-assist/ Resources Blog post: Peer Assist … Continue reading Peer Assist Learn from your peers; someone has already done it
The Mehrabian Myth The New Science of Building Great Teams ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter 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 … Continue reading Positive Deviance An approach to behavioral and social change
Knowledge Café at Regent’s University February 2024 Jakarta Dutch Cultural Centre 2007 ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter In my former role as a Business Process Analyst and Knowledge Management Driver at Ericsson Australia, I was invited to attend a Knowledge Café Masterclass by David Gurteen in the early part of 2009. I … Continue reading Ericsson Story **
Sharing Knowledge Through Conversation Collective Sense-making Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Learn by talking: We learn when we talk. You might think that you don’t learn when talking but learn when listening. It is not as simple as that. When we have a conversation, we not only learn from others by listening to … Continue reading Learn by Talking When speaking we organize cognitively what we know
Knowledge Café: Lecture Theatre Knowledge Café: Microphones Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter I often run Knowledge Cafés at conferences. Conference settings are rarely ideal for a Café, but they are possible as can be seen below. video playerA Gurteen Knowledge Cafe at KM Egypt conference in Cairo, Egypt, September 2010. Timestamps A Gurteen … Continue reading Knowledge Cafés at Conferences Not the best of environments but possible
Theodore Zeldin’s Conversation Dinners Unhurried Conversations ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Traditional Town Hall Meeting Town hall meetings also referred to as town halls or town hall forums, are a way for local and national politicians to meet with their constituents, either to hear from them on topics of interest or to … Continue reading Town Hall Meeting ** A meeting in which a report is made and participants have an opportunity to ask questions