This book Cynefin – Weaving Sense-Making into the Fabric of Our World chronicles the origin story and historical evolution of the Cynefin Framework, including personal vignettes where network members share how it has impacted their lives, and reflections by practitioners on how they have applied it across many diverse contexts. AustraliaAustriaBrazilCanadaChinaCzech RepublicEgyptFranceGermanyGlobalIndiaItalyJapanMexicoNetherlandsPolandSaudia ArabiaSingaporeSpainTurkeyUAEUnited KingdomUnited Continue reading Cynefin – Weaving Sense-making Into the Fabric of Our World by Dave Snowden & friends (2020)
True values are not taught and declared, they evolve through the acts and interaction of the living, they are understood at a near tacit level by those who live them. | Dave Snowden Continue reading True Values Are Not Taught and Declared Dave Snowden
The “human” in anthro-complexity is not a disembodied mind; it is not a mechanical body nor an island entirely of itself. Complex humans are mind-body-world beings, all rolled into one. Credit: Dave Snowden People: Dave Snowden (1)Dave Snowden Management ConsultantPosts: Dave Snowden (6)Carpe Diem – Seize the Day Seize the day everyoneChanging People ** The Continue reading Complex Humans Are Mind-body-world Beings Dave Snowden
In the idealistic approach, the leaders of an organization set out an ideal future state that they wish to achieve, identify the gap between the ideal and their perception of the present, and seek to close it. This is common not only to process-based theory but also to practice that follows the general heading of the “learning organization”. … | Dave Snowden Continue reading Idealistic Verses Naturalistic Approach to Business Dave Snowden
If you ask someone, or a body for specific knowledge in the context of a real need it will never be refused. If you ask them to give you your knowledge on the basis that you may need it in the future, then you will never receive it. | Dave Snowden Continue reading Knowledge Is Given When It Is Needed Dave Snowden
We always know more than we can say, and we will always say more than we can write down. | Dave Snowden Continue reading We Always Know More Than We Can Say Dave Snowden
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. | Dave Snowden Continue reading In Complexity We Start Journeys with a Sense of Direction Dave Snowden
Changing the interactions between people is both more effective in achieving change and more ethical; telling people what sort of people you think they should be is a paternalistic form of neo-colonialism. | Dave Snowden Continue reading Changing the Interactions Between People Dave Snowden
Stop the paternalistic attempt to define how people think and engineer a XYZ culture and instead focus on creating and disrupting connections and engaging people in small actions in the here and now. Mindset change smacks of indoctrination. | Dave Snowden Continue reading Mindset Change Smacks of Indoctrination Dave Snowden
Dave Snowden is a Welsh management consultant and researcher in the field of knowledge management. Known for the development of the Cynefin framework, he is the founder and chief scientific officer of The Cynefin Company, a Singapore-based management consulting firm specializing in complexity and sensemaking. I have known Dave for many years and follow his Continue reading Dave Snowden Management Consultant
If you want to make any real difference then stop making lists of idealised qualities of how things should be — they will always end up as anodyne platitudes — focus on understanding and critically ACTING in the present to start shifting things in a better direction | Dave Snowden Continue reading Stop Making Lists of Idealised Qualities of How Things Should Be Dave Snowden
Posts where this video is embedded Dave Snowden Management Consultant Exploring Uncertainty – the Role of Catalytic and Safe-to-fail Probes Essential Tools for Understanding and Influencing Complex SystemsPeople: Dave Snowden (1)Dave Snowden Management ConsultantPosts: Dave Snowden (6)Carpe Diem – Seize the Day Seize the day everyoneChanging People ** The challenge of trying to change peopleConversations Through the Continue reading How to Organize a Children’s Party Dave Snowden
Knowledge Management should be focused on real, tangible intractable problems not aspirational goals. It should deal pragmatically with the evolutionary possibilities of the present rather than seeking idealistic solutions. | Dave Snowden Continue reading Knowledge Management Should Deal with the Evolutionary Possibilities of the Present Dave Snowden
A clear, succinct 5 minutes introduction to Dave Snowden’s Cynefin Framework by Jennifer Garvey Berger. Making Sense of Complexity – an introduction to Cynefin | Jennifer Garvey Berger Posts where this video is embedded Jennifer Garvey Berger Developmental coach and author The Cynefin Framework A conceptual framework to help make decisionsPeople: Jennifer Garvey Berger (1)Jennifer Garvey Berger Continue reading Making Sense of Complexity – an Introduction to Cynefin Jennifer Garvey Berger (2017)
Many people believe that complexity is just higher-order complicatedness i.e. that there is a continuum and that the difference is one of degree, not type. When one considers however how very different these states are from each other, I tend to agree with Dave Snowden when he says that there are in fact phase shifts between them i.e. they are … | Sonja Blignaut Continue reading Complex and Complicated Systems Are Fundamentally Different Sonja Blignaut
Organizational culture is the attitudes, customs, rituals, values and beliefs shared by the members of an organization that govern their behavior. Organizational culture is emergent. It is the result of the everyday interactions, behaviors, and conversations by the members of an organization. Culture is the way that we do things around here that … | Dave Snowden Continue reading What Is Organizational Culture? Dave Snowden
The Cynefin Framework | Dave Snowden Posts that link to this post We Humans Are Complex Human socio-technical systems are complexPeople: Dave Snowden (1)Dave Snowden Management ConsultantPosts: Dave Snowden (6)Carpe Diem – Seize the Day Seize the day everyoneChanging People ** The challenge of trying to change peopleConversations Through the Cynefin Lens Unraveling the intricacies of Continue reading The Cynefin Framework Dave Snowden
Abstract Many executives are surprised when previously successful leadership approaches fail in new situations, but different contexts call for different kinds of responses. Before addressing a situation, leaders need to recognize which context governs it -and tailor their actions accordingly. Snowden and Boone have formed a new perspective on leadership and decision making that’s based Continue reading A Leader’s Framework for Decision Making David J. Snowden and Mary E. Boone (2007)
True Eureka innovation is not going to happen by an internal training programme but from engagement in the real world. | Dave Snowden Continue reading True Eureka Innovation Is Only Going to Happen by Engagement in the Real World Dave Snowden
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 than a specific goal. Continue reading The Vector Theory of Change Navigating change in a complex world
The Cynefin framework helps you make better decisions by helping you understand your situation/context and use an appropriate decision-making method. Continue reading The Cynefin Framework A conceptual framework to help make decisions
Conversations shape how we understand and adapt to change. When dialogue is restricted by rigid goals or constrained by fixed plans and schedules, creativity, and insight are often lost. By embracing a flexible, direction-focused approach and allowing the process to unfold naturally, conversations can become dynamic and responsive, leading to richer insights and more innovative outcomes. Continue reading The Vector of Great Conversations A parallel between the vector theory of change and conversational leadership
Understanding the world requires frameworks grounded in logic and evidence. Theories that align with observed facts and adapt to discoveries provide reliable explanations. By examining the principles of coherence and congruence, we can evaluate the validity and utility of ideas in explaining complex phenomena. Continue reading Congruence, Coherence, and Contingent Truth Building a framework for understanding
Navigating conversations can be challenging, especially when the dynamics shift from simple exchanges to complex discussions. The Cynefin framework, originally designed for decision-making, offers a useful perspective on these communication challenges. By identifying the Cynefin domain we are conversing in, we can adjust our approach accordingly. Continue reading Conversations Through the Cynefin Lens Unraveling the intricacies of everyday conversations
Navigating complexity requires experimental techniques. Catalytic probes stimulate system reactions, while safe-to-fail probes allow controlled failure. Both enable learning and adaptation through small-scale interventions in unpredictable environments. Continue reading Exploring Uncertainty – the Role of Catalytic and Safe-to-fail Probes Essential Tools for Understanding and Influencing Complex Systems
Understanding complexity in today’s world requires a new perspective. Traditional methods struggle with the deep interconnectedness of modern systems, leading to unpredictable outcomes. Embracing the concept of entanglement helps us navigate these complexities by recognizing the need for adaptive and integrated approaches. Continue reading From Enlightenment to Entanglement Adapting to the complexities of an interconnected world
We often construct false narratives in complex situations to make the past seem predictable. This habit, called retrospective coherence, hides the actual uncertainty of past events. Understanding this bias allows us to see complexity more clearly and avoid oversimplifying decisions and outcomes. Continue reading Retrospective Coherence in a Complex World How oversimplified narratives distort the past and hinder decision-making
Strategy is often viewed as a plan to achieve a specific objective. But in a changing world, plans rarely work as expected. We need to view strategy as a flexible process that begins with the present, adapts to change, and evolves through incremental steps and a shared understanding. Continue reading Strategy in a Complex World Strategy is much more than a plan
Conversation in Hong Kong The Huawei Break the Book Community Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close On 16th March 2017, I ran a Knowledge Café in London for NetIKX (The Network for Information and Knowledge Exchange) – an independent community Continue reading Gurteen Knowledge Café: Entrenched and Entrained Thinking A blog post by Conrad Taylor
Change is a constant aspect of our lives, gradually shaping our identities. However, we face difficulties when attempting to change others’ behaviors. Direct attempts to control or coerce usually result in resistance and unintended consequences. Embracing a conversational approach can help us navigate change more effectively, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration. Continue reading Changing People ** The challenge of trying to change people
Life is short and uncertain, yet much of our thinking remains fixed on distant goals. The future is unpredictable, and plans often falter in the face of complexity. Paying attention to what is happening now may be the wiser path, acting in the present rather than waiting for the perfect moment. Continue reading Carpe Diem – Seize the Day Seize the day everyone
Peer Instruction Vs. Peer Learning Learn by Talking Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close How can we effectively share knowledge, particularly tacit knowledge, which cannot be easily encoded into information or implicit knowledge that is not consciously Continue reading Sharing Knowledge Through Conversation Knowledge isn’t there the way ore is buried
Everything Is Fragmented ** Managers Are Employees Too ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Entrained thinking is a conditioned response that occurs when people are blinded to new ways of thinking by the perspectives they acquired Continue reading Entrained Thinking Blinded to new ways of thinking by perspectives acquired through past experience
