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Conversational Leadership

an online book by David Gurteen

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Tag: Guy de Maupassant


Wikipedia Entry: Guy de Maupassant

Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant (UK: , US: ; French: [ɡi d(ə) mopasɑ̃]; 5 August 1850 – 6 July 1893) was a 19th-century French author, celebrated as a master of the short story and associated with the naturalist literary school of thought, depicting human lives, destinies, and social forces in disillusioned and often pessimistic terms.

Credit: Wikipedia - Guy de Maupassant




A tag is a type of metadata keyword or label that makes finding information in this blook on a specific subject easier. All posts in this blook tagged with the word Guy de Maupassant are listed below. You will find a list of all tags in the tag cloud and a shorter list of tags with their descriptions in the glossary

<span class="entry-title-primary">Conversation. What Is It? A Mystery!</span> <span class="entry-subtitle">Guy de Maupassant</span>

Conversation. What Is It? A Mystery! Guy de Maupassant

Conversation. What is it? A Mystery! It’s the art of never seeming bored, of touching everything with interest, of pleasing with trifles, of being fascinating with nothing at all. How do we define this lively darting about with words, of hitting them back and forth, this sort of brief smile of ideas which should be conversation? | Guy de Maupassant Continue reading Conversation. What Is It? A Mystery! Guy de Maupassant

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Chapter: The Metacrisis
In this chapter, The Metacrisis, I begin by discussing the problems we face in the world. I look at the context. I examine what I believe to be the root cause.
Posts
  • The Metacrisis The interconnected crises shaping our world
  • Our World Is Hyperconnected The world is an increasingly connected place
  • Our World Is Complex It is a VUCA world
  • We Humans Are Complex Human socio-technical systems are complex
  • Why Our Responses Fail the Metacrisis Our old ways of thinking and acting collapse under complexity

Chapter: We Live in Two Worlds
In this chapter, We Live in Two Worlds, I explore how the development of human knowledge has given rise to two worlds: the relatively simple natural world in which we evolved, and the modern, complex world we have constructed.
Posts
  • Introduction: We Live in Two Worlds From evolution to entanglement
  • A Brief History of Knowledge 200,000 years of human history
  • Knowledge Revolutions The evolution of knowledge
  • The Enlightenment The Age of Reason
  • Enlightenment 2.0 A New Enlightenment for the 21st century
  • From Enlightenment to Entanglement Adapting to the complexities of an interconnected world
  • The Anthropocene The age of humans
  • Two Worlds Learning to live in an entangled world
  • Conclusion: Two Worlds Living in two worlds

Chapter: Conversational Leadership
In this chapter, Conversational Leadership, I introduce the concept of Conversational Leadership.
Posts
  • Introduction: Conversational Leadership Conversational Leadership
  • Conversational Leadership — Beyond Knowledge Management Why Knowledge Management is not enough
  • Conversational Leadership in the Age of AI How we think, decide, and act together with intelligent systems

Chapter: Practicing Conversational Leadership
In this chapter, Practicing Conversational Leadership, I start to explore what it means to practice Conversational leadership.
Posts
  • Introduction: Practicing Conversational Leadership Anyone can practice conversational leadership

Chapter: Conversational Leadership Practice Areas
In this chapter, Conversational Leadership Practice Areas, I explore the Conversational Leadership Practice Areas.
Posts
  • Introduction: Conversational Leadership Practice Areas Conversational Leadership Practice Areas
  • Understand the Metacrisis A Conversational Leadership Practice Area
  • Take Responsibility A Conversational Leadership Practice Area
  • Rethink Change A Conversational Leadership Practice Area
  • Think Together A Conversational Leadership Practice Area
  • Embrace Complexity A Conversational Leadership Practice Area
  • Practice Leadership A Conversational Leadership Practice Area
  • Converse Better A Conversational Leadership Practice Area
  • Engage AI in Dialogue A Conversational Leadership Practice Area
  • Cultivate Communityship A Conversational Leadership Practice Area

Chapter: Conversational Leadership Skills
In this chapter, Conversational Leadership Skills, I examine some of the skills required for effective Conversational Leadership, their importance, and how to develop them.
Posts
  • Introduction: Conversational Leadership Skills The technical abilities we use during a conversation
  • Oracy Is a Core Conversational Leadership Skill Communicating effectively in spoken language
  • Conversational Self-awareness Being aware of our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors during a conversation
  • Conversation Through the Lens of the Johari Window Understanding ourselves and others through conversation
  • Conversational Awareness The skill of being able to pay attention to various elements of a conversation
  • Empathy Understanding and share the feelings of others
  • Cultural Competence ** Appreciating, and effectively interacting with people from different cultures and backgrounds
  • Open Mindedness ** Willingness to seek and weigh evidence that challenges our beliefs, plans, or objectives
  • Critical Thinking ** Analyzing information and arguments to make sound judgments and decisions
  • Active Listening ** Listening attentively to understand and retain communicated information
  • The Art of Navigating Conversations Choosing our repsonses carefully
  • Conversational Continuous Self-improvement ** Making ongoing incremental improvements to our conversations
  • Difficult Conversations Navigating emotionally challenging conversations
  • Impossible Conversations Navigating conversations across ideological divides

Chapter: Conversational Leadership Habits
In this chapter, Conversational Leadership Habits, I look at some of the habitual ways we communicate face-to-face and practice Conversational Leadership.
Posts
  • Introduction: Conversational Habits The habitual ways in which we practice Conversational Leadership
  • Make Time to Talk The lack of time for conversation is just an excuse
  • Talk More The essence of Conversational Leadership is to talk with people more
  • Talk with Strangers Why and how should you talk with strangers?
  • Make Big Talk Make big talk not small talk
  • Connect More Connect more broadly, more deeply
  • Connect People Purposefully connect people with each other
  • Eat Together We should make it a priority to eat with others whenever possible
  • Construct Steel Arguments Not Straw Ones We need to learn to argue more effectively to get at the truth
  • Converse in Good Faith Be sincere, fair, open, and honest, regardless of the outcome
  • Say So, If You Don’t Have an Opinion It's perfectly OK to say ‘Sorry, I don’t know’
  • Carpe Diem – Seize the Day Seize the day everyone
  • Owning Our Mistakes ** Learning how admitting we’re wrong strengthens relationships and personal growth
  • Speak Up Express our opinions frankly and openly
  • Speak Last Learn to be the last to speak
  • Speak in Plain Language We should use everyday natural language that everyone understands.
  • Turn Monologues Into Dialogues Talk with people rather than talk at them
  • Take Responsibility for the Conversation ** We all need to take responsibility for the quality of our conversations
  • Speak with Less Conviction Speaking with conviction inhibits learning
  • Disagree Constructively How to disagree well
  • Reduce Emailing and Texting ** Start talking
  • Show Respect Failing to respect one another negatively impacts the future for all of us
  • Tell the Truth Lies distort the world
  • Listen to Ignite Thinking Listening is not a passive act - it's a powerful act of creation
  • Listen Empathically ** Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply
  • Listen with the Intent to Understand Don't listen with the intent to reply
  • Don’t Discourage Dissent Fear, uncertainty and doubt are good things
  • Don’t Give Advice Especially when it is sought
  • Banter with Care Banter: the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks
  • Stop Ditting Ditting is the dubious art of trumping the previous person's story
  • Hold Strong Opinions Weakly ** I have no doctrine, I carry on a dialogue
  • Don’t Give Speeches Convene conversations
  • Avoid Anonymity Anonymity kills the conversation

Chapter: Conversational Leadership Methods
In this chapter, Conversational Leadership Methods, I explore some of the more powerful conversational methods that anyone can use.
Posts
  • Introduction: Conversational Methods Ways of structuring conversations
  • After-action Reviews and the Habit of Thoughtful Leadership Conversations Nurturing a conversational culture
  • Anecdote Circles A narrative technique to guide participants in sharing stories
  • Conversation Covenant Creating a psychologically safer space for difficult conversations
  • Brainstorming A group discussion to produce a list of ideas or solutions to a problem.
  • Brown-bag Lunches ** An informal opportunity to learn at work
  • C-group Develop your interpersonal and conversational skills
  • Bridging Divides **
  • Community of Innovation ** A form of community of practice that is dedicated to the support of innovation.
  • What Is a Community of Practice A group of people who share a passion for something they do
  • Connection Before Content Without relatedness, no work can occur
  • Conversare Events Social gatherings which people engage in one-to-one conversation with a stranger
  • Understanding Debates Argument is meant to reveal the truth, not to create it
  • The Dérive An unplanned journey through a urban landscape
  • Dialogue Dialogue is a disciplined form of conversation
  • Dialogic Organization Development From a dialogic perspective, change results from transformational conversations
  • Flipped Teaching Speech is a bad medium for communicating information - so watch lectures at home
  • The Power of Team Huddles How brief team gatherings can align, motivate, and connect
  • The Oracy Lab An experimental space for exploring the power and possibilities of conversations
  • Ongoing Performance Conversations From annual performance reviews to on-going performance conversations
  • Open Space Conversations A way to organise conversations that matter
  • Peer Assist Learn from your peers; someone has already done it
  • Pitching by Conversation ** Ditch the pitch
  • Randomised Coffee Trials It is just a coffee, but at the same time it is much more
  • Ritual Dissent ** A structured way for a group of peers to criticize proposals or ideas
  • Speed Consulting Drawing on the experience of others
  • Speed-conversation Without relatedness, no work can occur
  • Street Epistemology Exploring deeply held beliefs
  • Spectrum Street Epistemology
  • Reverse Brainstorming Café Brainstorming the opposite of what you want
  • Theodore Zeldin’s Conversation Dinners Dinner and a stimulating conversation with a stranger
  • Unhurried Conversations ** Time to think differently
  • World Café A conversational process intended to facilitate open and intimate discussion

Chapter: Dialogic
In this chapter, Dialogic, Dialogic, I explore dialogic.
Posts
  • Living Dialogically Finding meaning through conversation and difference
  • Dialogic Education How learning shifts from transmission to participation
  • Dialogic Learning Learning through conversation and difference
  • Dialogic Space Seeing learning as a shared space of many perspectives
  • The Dialogic Gap How dialogue turns gaps into openings for new understanding
  • Finding Our Dialogic Voice Learning through many voices
  • Dialogic Thinking Thinking with, through, and across difference
  • Practicing Dialogic Thinking How small groups can open and hold shared thinking space
  • The Relational Field How relationships shape what we say and hear
  • The Difference Between Dialogue and Dialogic Thinking A subtle but important difference

Chapter: Use of Self

Posts
  • Use of Self Using who we are to be more effective in life

Chapter: The Power of Conversation
In this chapter, The Power of Conversation, I explore the power of conversation. The chapter consists of an electric mix of insights into the nature and power of conversation.
Posts
  • Introduction: the Power of Conversation A powerful, adaptable human technology
  • What Is a Real Conversation? There is more to conversation than just talking or exchanging messages
  • The Language of Conversation and Speech Meanings of words describing conversation and speech
  • The Value of Conversation ** Why are conversations so valuable?
  • The Purposes of Conversation Real conversation serves one or more purposes
  • Conversations and the Adjacent Possible How dialogue creates quiet shifts in what is possible
  • Conversational Capacities Prerequisites to a good conversation
  • Levels of Conversation ** Four levels of conversation
  • From Conversation to Conversing Why the verb matters more than the noun
  • Dialogue Vs Debate ** Exploring together vs winning
  • Conversation Is a Dance ** Conversation and dance are both improvisational
  • Improving Informal Conversations ** Add a little structure
  • Life Is a Conversation ** Life is a conversation between ourselves and the world around us
  • Conversation Is More Than Communication Conversation shapes our lives
  • The Difference Between Dialogue and Debate ** In dialogue, finding common ground is the goal while in debate, winning is the goal
  • The Jazz of Conversations Drawing parallels between jazz improv and conversations
  • Meetings and Conversations Serve Two Purposes There is a second purpose to any meeting which we often overlook
  • Why Face-to-face Interaction Matters ** Our social life is essential to our wellbeing and health
  • Friends with Cognitive Benefits Engaging in short friendly conversations improves people's thinking
  • Verbal Judo ** Using one's words to prevent, de-escalate, or end an attempted assault.
  • Cognitive Diversity Seeing and processing the world differently
  • Turn-taking in Conversation When we talk we take turns
  • Conversation Theory ** Gordon Pask
  • Our Most Powerful Technology Is Conversation Conversation - an overlooked technology
  • The Myth of Thamus and Theuth Does writing allow the pretense of understanding, rather than true understanding?
  • Our Brains Are Designed for Conversation That is why we find conversation so easy
  • Connecting Minds Connecting and synchronising minds
  • Thinking Together Talking with each other beats talking to ourselves
  • Hard Conversation Conversation is anything but soft and wooly
  • Let’s Have More Interesting Conversations It's our job
  • Conversation Sharpens the Saw It is not a waste of time
  • Organizational Conversation ** The conversation is the organization
  • Bake Conversation Into All That We Do ** There are so many ways to leverage conversation
  • When Laughter Speaks Louder How humor and language expose our inner selves
  • Conversation Is Not a Panacea for All Our Problems ** But it goes a long way
  • Become a Conversation Architect A conversation architect designs and convenes conversations
  • Oracy The ability to express oneself in and understand spoken language
  • Rediscovering Rhetoric Rethinking how we influence and communicate every day
  • What Is the Difference Between Rhetoric and Oracy? Rhetoric is monologue, oracy is dialogue

Chapter: Storytelling, Narrative and Discourse

Posts
  • Introduction: Discourse and Narrative **
  • Oral Public Discourse Verbal expression aimed at a public audience
  • Stories and Narratives The subtle differences between stories and narratives
  • Storytelling and Conversational Leadership Placing storytelling in the practice of thinking together
  • Storytelling ** A powerful tool for effective communication, engagement, and influence
  • Dominant Discourse and Narrative ** Shape the world
  • Weaponizing Public Discourse **
  • The Power of Discourse and Narrative ** How stories shape our individual and collective realities

Chapter: Community
In this chapter, Community, I explore the concept of community, what Henry Mintzberg calls communityship and what it takes to nurture and sustain a community.
Posts
  • Introduction: Community ** Members of a community care about each other
  • Care ** We naturally take responsibility for the people and the things that we care about
  • What Makes a Real Community? Members of a community care about each other
  • What Is Communityship? Where everyone in a community practices leadership
  • Politics Is Life We can't escape it
  • We All Have the Freedom to Choose If We Choose To The last of human freedoms
  • Lashon Hara Jewish religious term for derogatory speech
  • Gossip and Lashon Hara Conversation about other people
  • Leadership Is a Practice Not a Position of Authority Anyone can practice leadership
  • Ownership, Not Buy-in We need to move from buy-in to ownership
  • Culture Basic tacit assumptions about how the world works
  • Reframing Questions Shifting perspective changes the conversation
  • Exploring the Multifaceted Roles of Trust in Relationships and Society Without trust our civilization would collapse
  • Raising the Ships on the Sea The comedy or cornucopia of the commons
  • Everyone Believes They’re the Good Guy The only real way to disarm your enemy is to listen to them
  • Working Together ** Working together rather than manipulating each other
  • We’re All Different ** We need to get to know each other better

Chapter: The Knowledge Café
In this chapter, The Knowledge Café, I take a broad look at the Knowledge Café—its underlying principles, how it can be applied, and examples of how different organizations have used it in practice. If you are already familiar with the concept and want to explore the basic process, go to the Knowledge Café Process chapter. If you’re interested in how to design and structure a Café, see the Knowledge Café Design chapter. For ways to adapt the Café for different purposes, visit the Knowledge Café Applications chapter. To read how organizations have applied or modified the process to suit their own contexts, go to the Conversational Stories chapter. And if you want a quick, practical starting point, head straight to Knowledge Café: Getting Started.
Posts
  • Introduction: Knowledge Café Improving decision-making, innovation, and collaboration
  • The Knowledge Café Metaphor A metaphor for the type of conversation you have in a Café
  • A Knowledge Café Is a Gathering It is not a meeting
  • What’s New About the Knowledge Café? In some ways it is not new but in others it isn't
  • Knowledge Café History It began on September 5th, 2002 at the Strand Palace Hotel in London
  • Knowledge Café Outcomes The outcomes are what you take away in your head
  • Knowledge Café Applications The Knowledge Café is a highly adaptable tool
  • Knowledge Cafés and Communities of Practice There is a difference
  • The Differences Between the Knowledge Café and the World Café There are some significant differences
  • Knowledge Café: Getting Started Make an impact

Chapter: Knowledge Café Principles
In this chapter, Knowledge Café Principles, I look at the principles that underpin and shape the core structure of the Knowledge Café.
Posts
  • Introduction: Knowledge Café Principles Create a conversational environment
  • Knowledge Café Principle: Conversation Is Sovereign It's all about the conversation
  • Knowledge Café Principle: Everyone Has an Equal Voice Everyone is an equal participant
  • Knowledge Café Principle: Create a Safe Space Where conversation can flourish
  • Knowledge Café Principle: No Preconceived Outcomes The outcomes are emergent
  • Knowledge Café Principle: Preserve the Flow Conversational flow should not be interrupted
  • Knowledge Café Principle: Engage in Small Groups Real conversation takes place in small groups
  • Knowledge Café Principle: Dialogue Not Debate Be prepared to emerge a slightly different person

Chapter: Knowledge Café Process
In this chapter, Knowledge Café Process, I look in detail at the Knowledge Café process.
Posts
  • Introduction: Knowledge Café Process
  • Knowledge Café: Process How to run a Knowledge Café
  • Knowledge Café: The Host The role of the Knowledge Café host
  • Knowledge Café: The Speaker The role of the Knowledge Café speaker
  • Knowledge Café: The Talk The Knowledge Café initiating talk
  • Knowledge Café: Table Hosts In a Knowledge Café there are no table hosts
  • Knowledge Café: Small Group Conversations The small group conversations are the heart of the Café
  • Knowledge Café: Moving Between Groups Don't complicate it
  • Knowledge Café: Circle Conversation A whole or large group conversation
  • Knowledge Café: Sharing Actionable Insights One idea, lesson learned or insight taken away from a Café
  • Knowledge Café: Going Off-topic It is OK to off-topic
  • Knowledge Café: No Report-outs There is nothing more boring than a report-out

Chapter: Knowledge Café Design
In this chapter, Knowledge Café Design, I explain how to design a Knowledge Café.
Posts
  • Introduction: Knowledge Café Design **
  • Knowledge Café: Design Checklist Knowledge Cafés should be thoughtfully designed
  • Knowledge Café: Purpose Every Knowledge Café should have a clear purpose
  • Knowledge Café: Roles There are a number of different Knowledge Café players
  • Knowledge Café: Duration A Knowledge Café can last from one to three hours
  • Knowledge Café: Naming You don't have to call it a Knowledge Café
  • Knowledge Café: Who Should Be Invited Who to invite and who not to invite
  • Knowledge Café: Invitation People should not be coerced to participate in any way
  • Knowledge Café: Number of Participants The ideal number of participants is between 12 and 24
  • Knowledge Café: Triggering the Conversation There are a number of ways in which you can trigger the conversation
  • Knowledge Café: Setting the Context with Video ** A short video makes a good way to set the context for a Café conversation
  • Knowledge Café: Posing the Question To trigger the conversation
  • Knowledge Café: Small Group Design The ideal small group size is three or four
  • Knowledge Café: Large Group Design ** The Knowledge Café works best for between twelve to twenty-four people
  • Knowledge Café: Required Resources Running a Knowledge Café requires minimal resources
  • Knowledge Café: Conversational Topics Some examples
  • Knowledge Café: Measuring Success The outcomes are what you take away in your head - note taking is a distraction
  • Knowledge Café: Capturing Outcomes The outcomes are what you take away in your head - note taking is a distraction
  • Knowledge Café: Graphic Recording ** Real-time capture of the Café conversations in pictures, words, and color
  • Knowledge Café: Background Music ** Don't let background music detract from the conversations

Chapter: Knowledge Café Variations
In this chapter, Knowledge Café Variations, I take a look at the different ways in which a Café may be adapted and run or similar methods to the Knowledge Café such as the World Café.
Posts
  • Introduction: Knowledge Café Variations ** There are many variations of the Knowledge Café concept
  • Espresso Café Espresso has more caffeine per unit volume than most coffee beverages
  • Knowledge Café Debate Debate sharpens up the important aspects of the issue under discussion
  • Ritual Dissent Café ** A Café style adaptation of the Ritual Dissent process
  • Café Style Meetings Hold conversations, not meetings

Chapter: Knowledge Café Space
In this chapter, Knowledge Café Space, I describe the importance of the physical space in which a Café is held.
Posts
  • Introduction: Knowledge Café Space The physical space is important
  • Knowledge Café: Choosing the Venue The venue need not be a meeting room
  • Knowledge Café: Choosing the Room The more café like, the better
  • Knowledge Café: Choosing the Tables Small round tables are best that sit 3 or 4 are best
  • Knowledge Café: Cafés with No Tables Small tables are better than no tables
  • Knowledge Café: Laying Out the Room Keep it informal and café like
  • Knowledge Café: No Flip Charts or Butcher Paper They get in the way of the conversation - avoid them
  • Knowledge Café: Refreshments Refreshments are good
  • Knowledge Café: Running in a Lecture Theatre Why room layout matters
  • Knowledge Cafés at Conferences Not the best of environments but possible
  • Knowledge Café: Microphones Avoid the use of microphones if possible

Chapter: Knowledge Café Applications
In this chapter, Knowledge Café Applications, I explain how you can adapt the Knowledge Café for a variety of purposes.
Posts
  • Introduction: Knowledge Café Applications The Knowledge Café is as much a state of mind as it is a fixed process
  • Reading Group Café A reading group, reading circle or book discussion club
  • Engagement Café Conversation is king. Content is just something to talk about.
  • Marketing Café ** Holding marketing conversations
  • Sales Café Ditch the pitch - create sales conversations
  • Future Café Explore trends and issues that shape, influence and impact the future
  • Scenario Café ** Learning from situations
  • Collective Sense-making Café ** Only a community of minds can show us the truth
  • Focus Group Café An improvement on traditional focus groups?
  • Ideation Café A conversation to solve problems or generate ideas
  • Idea Campaign Café A series of focused conversations to generate ideas
  • Decision Making Café Using the Knowledge Café to make better decisions
  • Question Storming Café ** Questions can be more powerful than answers at times
  • Conference Café ** An ideal way to close a conference

Chapter: Knowledge Café Stories
In this chapter, Knowledge Café Stories, I examine several stories and examples of how various organizations have utilized or adapted the Knowledge Café. If you are looking for specific, detailed ways to adapt the Knowledge Café for different purposes,  go to the Knowledge Café Applications chapter.
Posts
  • Knowledge Cafés at the Knowledege Summit Dubai 2025
  • IBM SE Asia Sales Cafés Ditch the pitch
  • Knowledge Cafés at Johnson & Johnson Running four Knowledge Cafés concurrently
  • Viva and Telecoms in Kuwait How Kuwaiti telecom leaders turned conversation into collective action
  • Groucho Club Sales Café Ditch the pitch
  • Knowledge Cafés at ING Bank, Netherlands Connect, connect, connect
  • Knowledge Cafés at NASA Identifying risk issues, and meaningful mitigation approaches
  • Knowledge Cafés at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Give people a voice
  • Knowledge Cafés at PSMA Australia Using the Knowledge Café process to run a Knowledge Management Forum
  • Passion at the Gurteen Knowledge Café Blog post by Mathew Rees
  • Conversation in Hong Kong A Knowledge Café with eight speakers
  • Gurteen Knowledge Café: Entrenched and Entrained Thinking A blog post by Conrad Taylor
  • The Huawei Break the Book Community A powerful example of peer learning
  • Knowledge Cafés at the European Patent Office The Personal Growth Community
  • Knowledge Café in Zurich, Switzerland The Knowledge Café has empowered our staff to speak up and take the initiative
  • Knowledge Cafés at National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Turning traditional talks into Cafés
  • A Knowledge Café in English, French and Russian Knowledge Cafe's can be run in multiple languages
  • Sugar Rush at the Knowledge Café How conversation is bringing KM back to the people
  • Equinor Management Training Cafés You learn when you converse
  • Knowledge Café at Regent’s University February 2024 What Are the Strongest Motives for Creative Endeavour in Your Life?
  • Blog Posts About the Gurteen Knowledge Café A selection of Knowledge Café blog posts, articles and papers

Chapter: Conversational Learning
In this chapter, Conversational Learning, I explore the subject of Conversational Learning.
Posts
  • Introduction: Conversational Learning Unleashing knowledge
  • The Power of Peer Instruction Why explaining ideas to others leads to deeper learning
  • The Power of Peer Learning Why learning from each other leads to deeper understanding and better problem-solving
  • Peer Instruction vs. Peer Learning Rethinking how we learn and lead
  • Sharing Knowledge Through Conversation Knowledge isn't there the way ore is buried
  • Learn by Talking When speaking we organize cognitively what we know
  • Collective Sense-making The Knowledge Café is a powerful collective sense-making tool

Chapter: Conversational Stories
In this chapter, Conversational Stories, I examine several stories and examples of how various organizations have utilized or adapted Conversational Methods.
Posts
  • Introduction: Conversational Stories Stories about conversation
  • The Power of Talking with Enemies Özlem Cekic’s story of transforming hostility through conversation
  • Changing Minds Through Conversation The role of conversation in Derek Black’s transformation
  • Mandela Chose to Talk How conversation, not force, helped unite a divided South Africa
  • The Virtual Random Café Informal conversations and networking ... from home
  • A Conversation Dinner in Turin Knowledge menu à la carte
  • Randomised Coffee Trials at Red Cross Red Crescent Virtual coffee meetings across the globe
  • Intimate Conversations Conversations with strangers
  • Hong Kong MTR Coffee Evenings and Liaison Trains An improvement over traditional customer surveys
  • Al Jazeera Cafe An interesting experiment not to deabate but engage in a global conversation
  • Huawei Transforms a Global Conference with a Knowledge Market How to make a conference more participatory

Chapter: Conversational Spaces
In this chapter, Conversational Spaces, I explore various clubs, networks, and forums that have existed in the past or thrive today. These “spaces” serve as platforms for individuals to come together and engage in conversations, both in person and online.
Posts
  • Introduction: Conversational Spaces Meeting places for conversations
  • The London Coffeehouses of the Enlightenment Centers of Enlightenment thinking
  • Salons A gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host
  • Benjamin Franklin’s Junto Club Benjamin Franklin founded the Junto Club - a conversational society in 1727
  • British Gentlemen’s Clubs Of the 17th and 18th Centuries
  • Death Café At a Death Café people drink tea, eat cake and discuss death
  • Stammtisch Tables Tables in pubs or restaurants reserved for regulars

Chapter: Conversational Environments
In this chapter, Conversational Environments, I explore the concept of conversational environments and how physical space impacts conversation.
Posts
  • Introduction: Conversational Environments ** Designing places and spaces for good conversations
  • The Watercooler Effect How casual office chats strengthen connections and culture
  • The Value of Hallway Conversations The magic of the hallway conversation lies in its spontaneity
  • Walking Conversations ** Walking ...

Chapter: Participatory Conferences
In this chapter, Participatory Conferences, I take a look at some of the ways in which conferences and meetings can be made more conversational and participatory.
Posts
  • Introduction: Participatory Conferences From audience to participants
  • Conversational Conferences In a conversational conference, the dominant style of presentation is the conversational talk
  • Conversational Talks How to give a conversational talk or presentation
  • Knowledge Cafés ** Include one or more Knowledge Cafés
  • Conference Breakfasts and Dinners A great opportunity to network and build relationships
  • Are There Any Questions? Q&A is not interaction
  • Peter Block’s Four Ownership Questions Are you prepared to take responsibility for the learning and engagement of others?
  • Let’s Get Rid of Lecterns The lectern is a barrier to connecting with your audience
  • People Tagging ** Inviting conversation
  • The Unconference A conference organized, structured and led by the people attending it

Chapter: Strategy
In this chapter, Strategy, I explore various aspects of strategy, including the concept of strategic conversations and open strategy.
Posts
  • Introduction: Strategy Strategy
  • The Many Faces of Strategy How strategy varies from simple plans to shaping entire environments
  • Strategy in a Complex World Strategy is much more than a plan
  • Strategic Conversations Have the potential to influence the future direction of an organization
  • Open, Adaptive Strategy Make employees partners in the strategy process
  • The Role of the Knowledge Café in Open/adaptive Strategy An ideal tool to help implement open strategy
  • The Role of the Knowledge Café in Strategic Conversations ** One of the best conversational methods for addressing complex issues is the Knowledge Café

Chapter: Innovation
In this chapter, Innovation, I explore creativity and innovation in a complex world and specifically the role of Conversational Leadership.
Posts
  • Introduction: Innovation The introduction of something new
  • Nurturing an Innovation Culture Allowing emergence, not imposing change
  • The House of Wisdom Innovation Story: An Islamic beacon of innovation and collaboration
  • Coffee House Innovation Innovation Story: The London coffee houses that fueled conversation, innovation, and societal shifts
  • Building 20 at MIT Innovation Story: A humble wartime lab that sparked a legacy of innovation and collaboration
  • Rules of the Garage: Reigniting Innovation at HP Innovation Story: How Carly Fiorina’s Manifesto Modernized the HP Way
  • The Pixar Way Innovation Story: Lessons from Pixar on blending ideas, technology, and storytelling
  • Silicon Valley Versus Route 128 Innovation Story: How Silicon Valley's open culture outpaced Route 128's closed network
  • The Birth of Uber Innovation Story: How everyday frustrations and collaboration shaped Uber’s global transformation
  • The Google 20% Free Time Policy Innovation Story: A catalyst for innovation
  • Adaptive Funding for Innovation Diversifying investments to drive innovation
  • The Innovation Café Network Sparking everyday innovation
  • The Power of Serendipity Discover how chance encounters can lead to insights and new opportunities
  • Exaptation and Innovation Finding new uses for what already exists in nature and society

Chapter: Motivation and Engagement
In this chapter, Motivation and Engagement, I take a broad look at motivation and engagement and in particular the impact of measures and rewards.
Posts
  • Introduction: Motivation and Engagement ** If you are motivated you are engaged
  • What Commitment Really Means We are committed when we decide to do something without any expectation of return
  • Motivation ** Motivation is a fire from within
  • Engagement ** Organizations live or die in the swarm of daily interchange
  • Punished by Rewards Loving what you do is a more powerful motivator than any goody
  • The Difference Between Responsibility and Accountability We take responsibility but are held accountable
  • We Need to Stop Trying to Do Things to Each Other And start working together

Chapter: Complexity
In this chapter, Complexity, I explore the concepts of complexity and complex adaptive systems.
Posts
  • Introduction: Complexity The world is fast-changing and increasingly more turbulent
  • What Is a System? ** An interconnected set of elements organized in a way that achieves something
  • Complex Is Not the Same as Complicated We tend to use "complex" to describe things that are actually just complicated or challenging.
  • The Trouble with Optimization in a Complex World What maximizing and minimizing get wrong in complex contexts
  • Decisions as Hypotheses Why decisions work better as hypotheses than conclusions
  • Complex Systems and Complex Adaptive Systems ** Complexity
  • Complex Systems ** Many parts interacting with each other in multiple ways
  • Complex Adaptive Systems ** Complexity
  • Complex Responsive Processes Ongoing patterns of interaction between people
  • Constraints in Complex Systems Complexity
  • The Cynefin Framework A conceptual framework to help make decisions
  • Complex Adaptive Systems Vs. Complex Responsive Processes ** Complexity
  • In Complex Situations Cause and Effect Can Only Be Understood in Retrospect Why prediction breaks down in complex situations
  • Conversations Are Complex Responsive Processes Conversations are dynamic, emergent interactions shaping organizational reality
  • Conversations Through the Cynefin Lens Unraveling the intricacies of everyday conversations
  • Affordance Is About Possibility ** Understanding action through the relationship between people and things
  • Dispositional States ** Complexity
  • Emergence in Complex Systems ** Complexity
  • Navigating Complexity with Safe-to-fail Probes The power of safe-to-fail probes
  • Exploring Uncertainty – the Role of Catalytic and Safe-to-fail Probes Essential Tools for Understanding and Influencing Complex Systems
  • Technical Challenges and Complex Adaptive Challenges Distinguishing between straightforward and complex challenges
  • There Are No Solutions to Complex Challenges Only an endless series of adaptive responses
  • Unintended Consequences In a complex system, every purposeful action produces unintended consequences
  • Obliquity in a Complex World In a complex world, goals are often best achieved indirectly
  • Adaptive Leadership ** Mobilizing people to tackle tough challenges and thrive
  • Actor-network Theory (ANT) Actor-Network Theory
  • The Role of Human Agency Within Actor-network Theory Actor-network theory
  • Sense-making and Meaning-making The terms have distinct meanings
  • Relationality Explained Things only make sense in relation
  • Retrospective Coherence in a Complex World How oversimplified narratives distort the past and hinder decision-making

Chapter: Thinking Together
In this chapter, Thinking Together, I explore thinking and, more specifically, reasoning.
Posts
  • Introduction: Thinking Together Cognition, thinking and reasoning
  • The Argumentative Theory of Human Reason We did not evolve to reason individually but to reason socially
  • Hannah Arendt and the Risk of Influence How leadership begins by thinking together, not persuading
  • Dialectical Thinking Practicing dialectical thinking in complex times
  • Critical Thinking ** Analyzing information and arguments to make sound judgments and decisions
  • Three Forms of Reasoning Understanding deductive, inductive, and abductive logic
  • The Extended Mind The power of distributed cognition
  • Rethinking Our Beliefs It is not easy to change our beliefs
  • How Beliefs Shape Reasoning How political views influence the way we interpret data
  • Science Curiosity A desire to seek out and consume scientific information for pleasure
  • What Are Cognitive Biases? Mistakes in reasoning, evaluating or remembering
  • Motivated Reasoning ** Leads people to confirm what they already believe, while ignoring contrary data
  • Entrenched Thinking ** The lack of desire or ability to accept new ideas
  • Wisdom of Crowds of Crowds Crowds within a crowd outperform 'wisdom of the crowd'

Chapter: Rethinking Change

Posts
  • Introduction: Rethinking Change A practical look at how change happens in everyday life
  • Interaction as the Primary Unit of Change Is not the individual, it’s the interaction
  • The Vector Theory of Change Navigating change in a complex world
  • Exploring the Adjacent Possible Understanding change as a series of nearby moves

Chapter: Knowledge Management
In this chapter, Knowledge Management, I take a look at the nature of data, information, and knowledge and various aspects of Knowledge Management.
Posts
  • Introduction: Knowledge Management Knowledge Management is not an oxymoron
  • Data, Information and Knowledge What's the difference?
  • The Importance of Tacit Knowledge Tacit knowledge is knowledge that is difficult to transfer
  • The Relationship Between Explicit Knowledge and Tacit Knowledge Explicit knowledge always has a tacit component
  • The DIKW (data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom) Pyramid Why the DIKW model falls short
  • Knowledge Only Exists in the Mind Everything else is information
  • Knowledge Is Not Power Our ability to influence people is power
  • Classical vs Relational KM From transactions and content to interaction and meaning
  • Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) Distinguishing Knowledge Management from Information Management
  • The Four Levels of Knowledge Management The relation between Conversational Leadership and Knowledge Management
  • The Gurteen KM Thinking Framework Knowledge Management
  • Make Knowledge Management part of the business Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as a KM strategy
  • Don’t Do Knowledge Management You respond to business problems & develop business opportunities using KM tools
  • When Knowledge Management Means Kill Me When budgets tighten, KM is often the first to go
  • Rethinking Knowledge Management Strategy Aligning knowledge efforts with real business needs
  • From Knowledge to Agency Developing agency in a changing world
  • Why Incentives Undermine Knowledge Sharing A critique of traditional knowledge management thinking
  • SharePoint Is Not a Knowledge Management System How software systems confuse information with knowledge
  • Knowledge Management Systems Don’t Manage Knowledge They manage information, not knowledge
  • Knowledge Management Is a Practice ** Sensemaking, conversation, and everyday practice
  • Measures, Targets, Rewards and Punishments When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure
  • What Is a Knowledge Worker? A knowledge worker is someone whose job entails having really interesting conversations
  • Knowledge Management Is NOT About Delivering the Right Information to the Right People at the Right Time Moving beyond classic KM thinking
  • The Trouble with Knowledge Flow Why a familiar metaphor can mislead us
  • Ways of Knowing Ways of acquiring knowledge
  • We Know So Much but Understand So Little It is through conversation we make sense of the world
  • Is “Useless Knowledge” Useless? Maybe not if it makes things taste sweeter
  • When Metaphors Get Knowledge Wrong Why common knowledge management terms mislead our thinking

Chapter: Information
In this chapter, Information, I explore the fascinating concept of information in some depth
Posts
  • Introduction: Information Looking more closely at the meaning of information
  • Etymology of Information What are the roots of the word “information”?
  • What We Mean by Information Seeing the bigger picture behind what we call information
  • Rethinking Meaning How meaning arises through use and relationship
  • Batesonian Information Information is a difference that makes a difference
  • Information Emerges Through Relations Rethinking information through Bateson’s relational lens
  • Information Theory Information is surprise
  • Making Sense of Functional Information Viewing things by how they work, not just how they look
  • Warm Data Information that is alive
  • Common Questions About Information ** Simple questions that challenge how we think about information
  • The Informational Theory of Life How complexity and selection shape living systems
  • It From Bit Is information more fundamental than matter?
  • The Information Deficit Model Information is not enough
  • A Conversation with ChatGPT Exploring Information An experiment in creating an AI generated audio conversation

Chapter: Artificial Intelligence
In this chapter, Artificial Intelligence, I explore the impact of AI on Knowledge Management and Conversational Leadership.
Posts
  • Introduction: Artificial Intelligence Human-like intelligence?
  • The Spectrum of Intelligence There are many types of intelligence
  • Artificial and Natural Intelligence Exploring the essential difference between natural and artificial forms of intelligence
  • The Relationship Between Intelligence and Evolution ** Shaping life on earth
  • Human Intelligence The capacity to acquire, process, and apply knowledge
  • Programmed Intelligence Is a thermostat or an electronic calculator intelligent?
  • Animal Intelligence ...
  • Biological Intelligence The natural cognitive abilities and adaptive behaviors of organisms
  • Systemic Intelligence The adaptive, self-organizing ability within complex systems
  • Artificial Intelligence ** The ability of machines to perform tasks usually associated with human intelligence
  • Why the Generative AI Intelligence Argument Is Irrelevant Redefining intelligence in the age of GenAI
  • What Are Chatbots? Artificial intelligence programs designed to have conversations with humans
  • Limitations of Chatbots Chatbots lack true intelligence, understanding, and reasoning abilities
  • Embracing the Imperfections of Chatbots Cultivating critical thinking in the age of AI
  • Why Chatbots Can’t Have Real Human Conversations The limits of artificial chatting
  • Uses of Chatbots Practical applications of conversational AI
  • Chatbots and Genai in Knowledge Management Chatbots are more than just question/answer machines
  • Artificial Intelligence and the Quest for Knowledge Exploring the parallels between Plato's Phaedrus and the challenges of GenAI
  • From Mind to Information – the Role of AI in Knowledge Encoding The Evolution of Knowledge Encoding
  • The Postproduction Paradigm – AI and the Art of Remixing LLMs as catalysts for a remix revolution
  • Vibe Writing Explained Writing that starts with emotion, not structure
  • What Is Vibe Coding? Programming in the Age of AI
  • Rethinking Productivity with LLMs How LLMs help us move from idea to impact

Chapter: Chatbots as Critical Thinking Partners
In this chapter, Chatbots as Critical Thinking Partners, I explore how chatbots can be used as critical thinking partners.
Posts
  • Chatbots as Critical Thinking Partners Stimulating critical thinking is one of the most powerful application of chatbots
  • Evaluate Sources and Evidence Ask the chatbot to provide sources or evidence to support its claims
  • Explore Other Perspectives Use the chatbot to broaden your understanding of a subject
  • Explore What’s Missing Explore what's missing in a chatbot's responses
  • Analyze Assumptions and Biases Probe the assumptions and biases that might be embedded in a chatbot's responses
  • Play Devil’s Advocate Ask the chatbot to provide counterarguments or alternative perspectives to a particular stance
  • Practice Analogical Thinking Request analogies or comparisons from the chatbot to help you better understand complex concepts
  • Analyze Logical Fallacies Use the chatbot to analyze logical fallacies
  • Historical and Contextual Analysis Use the chatbot to provide historical context or background on an issue
  • Summarize Conflicting Perspectives Use the chatbot to summarize two conflicting perspectives on a complex issue
  • Deconstructing Arguments Use the chatbot to deconstruct arguments
  • Explore Hypothetical Scenarios Use the chatbot to analyze a complex scenario and its implications
  • Chatbots to Analyze Conversations and Presentations Analysis of transcripts

Chapter: Conversation in the Age of AI

Posts
  • Introduction: Conversation in the Age of AI Artificial intelligence

Chapter: Small Group Conversations
In this chapter, Small Group Conversations, I explore some of the problems and challenges of conversing in small groups.
Posts
  • Introduction: Small Group Conversations Small groups are an essential building block to any future you want to create
  • What Is the Optimum Group Size for a Conversation? More than five people and it is not a conversation
  • Groupthink The desire for harmony in a group can result in irrational decisions
  • Group Polarization The tendency for a group to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclination of its members
  • Social Loafing The tendancy to put less effort into a task when we are part of a group
  • Facilitator Bias ** A facilitator unwittingly influences a group
  • Losing and Giving Face The fear of losing face is a significant barrier to open conversation in many cultures
  • Social Silencing A phenomenon where people don’t speak up for fear of social exclusion
  • Psychological Safety ** A shared belief that within your team it is safe to take risks

Chapter: Virtual Conversations
In this chapter, Virtual Conversations, I look at the problems and issues surrounding virtual conversations and how best to host them.
Posts
  • Introduction: Virtual Conversations ** Computer-mediated converations
  • Zoom Virtual Knowledge Café On the Zoom video conferencing platform
  • Virtual Knowledge Café Process On the Zoom video conferencing platform
  • Telepresence – Beaming Into a Knowledge Café ** Being present virtually

Chapter: The Knowledge Delusion
In this chapter, The Knowledge Delusion, I explore various concepts such as beliefs and values, how they are formed, and many of the misconceptions surrounding belief formation, sensemaking, and decision making.
Posts
  • Introduction: Knowledge Delusion We delude ourselves about what we know and how we make decisions
  • What Are Beliefs? Ideas that are held to be true but not necessarily supported by any evidence
  • Belief Systems Our beliefs are not isolated pieces of data that we can take and discard at will
  • Attitudes A tendency to think, or feel about someone or something in a certain way
  • What Are Mindsets? Ways of thinking, mental inclinations, dispositions, or frames of mind
  • Values Values are beliefs we hold that something is good or desirable
  • What Are Morals? Principles of right or wrong behaviour
  • The Knowledge Delusion We know far less than we think we do
  • Knowledge Is Communal Most of our knowledge resides in other people
  • Polarization Is Tearing Us Apart We are polarized across political, religious, moral, and racial divides
  • Trust & Belief Formation Trust plays a critical role in forming our beliefs
  • The Allure of Simple Stories We tend to readily accept uncomplicated narratives without verification
  • Our Tribal Nature The human brain is hardwired to be tribal
  • Discrediting People ** Cause them to lose the respect or trust of others
  • The Global Information Ecosystem We live in a vast sea of information
  • Pollution of the Global Information Ecosystem The contamination of information with false and misleading material
  • Uncertainty ** Uncertainty refers to situations involving imperfect or unknown information
  • Filter Bubbles, Epistemic Bubbles and Echo Chambers Distort the reality of the world

Chapter: The Two Pillars of Truth
In this chapter, The Two Pillars of Truth, I explore the foundational pillars of truth-seeking: the scientific method and the Socratic elenchus. These approaches align with Conversational Leadership by emphasizing inquiry, dialogue, and curiosity. By examining how they test ideas and challenge assumptions, I aim to demonstrate their role in fostering critical thinking and deeper understanding in conversations and life.
Posts
  • Introduction: Two Pillars of Truth The convergence of science and philosophy in the pursuit of knowledge
  • The Scientific Method The backbone of modern science
  • The Provisional Nature of Scientific Knowledge Understanding science as an ongoing process
  • Understanding Scientific Terms Clarifying common misconceptions
  • Congruence, Coherence, and Contingent Truth Building a framework for understanding
  • The Fallibility of Science Understanding the limits and strengths of science
  • The Roots of the Scientific Method Exploring the history of the scientific method
  • The Scientific Method for Everyday Life Thinking and decision-making beyond the lab
  • Pseudoscience and Its Dangers Misinformation and its impact on society
  • Recognising New Age Mumbo Jumbo Understanding and avoiding deceptive New Age ideas
  • The Socratic Method A powerful tool for critical thinking
  • The History of the Socratic Method The evolution and impact of Socratic dialogue
  • The Socratic Elenchus A tool for intellectual discovery
  • How Could We Be Wrong? Is a crucial question to ask in a conversation
  • The Two Pillars of Truth How the scientific method and Socratic elenchus underpin civilization
  • Conclusion: Two Pillars of Truth Critical thinking - a civic duty

Chapter: History and Philosophy of Conversation
In this chapter, History and Philosophy of Conversation, I look at how dialogue has evolved across cultures and eras. Too often, we see conversation as ordinary or effortless. By tracing its roots, we begin to understand it as a thoughtful practice shaped by time, context, and human need.
Posts
  • Introduction: History and Philosophy of Conversation The art of conversation has evolved over thousands of years
  • History of Conversation The changing face of conversation through the ages
  • Philosophy of Conversation Conversation is fundamental to the human experience
  • Philosophy as a Practical Art Philosophy, responsibility, and meaning in everyday life
  • Etymology of Conversation A history of the word "conversation"
  • The Emergence of Conversation in Early Cultures ** Conversation stretches far back into prehistory
  • Conversation in Ancient Greek Society ** Socrates, Plato and Aristotle
  • Conversation in Ancient Roman Society ** ...
  • Cicero’s Sermo ** Conversation, discussion, or talk
  • The Great Conversation The evolving dialogue of ideas over millennia
  • The Conversible World The sphere of human interaction and exchange of ideas
  • On Conversation An essay by Benjamin Franklin, the Pennsylvania Gazette, 1730
  • Two Realms of Intellectual Discourse ** The learned and the conversible
  • Orality ** The practice of transmitting knowledge, culture, and traditions through spoken language

Chapter: Society & Democracy
In this chapter, Society & Democracy, I explore various aspects of a democratic society.
Posts
  • Democracy’s Spectrum ** From Direct to Representative
  • Evolution of Democracy **
  • Socrates on Democracy Socrates had a nuanced view of democracy
  • Modern Democracy **
  • Voting in a Democracy **
  • Deliberative Democracy ** Deliberation is central to decision-making
  • Freedom of Speech Freedom of speech is not just another value
  • Tolerance Is A Social Contract, Not a Moral Absolute The paradox of tolerance

Chapter: Neuroscience of Conversation
In this chapter, Neuroscience of Conversation, I explore the neuroscience of conversation and, more generally, the neuroscience of consciousness and cognition.
Posts
  • Introduction: the Neuroscience of Conversation Conversations trigger changes in the brain
  • The Neuroscience of Conversation Conversations trigger changes in the brain
  • Conversational Chemistry The role of chemical messengers in communication
  • The Nature of Consciousness The mystery of the mind
  • The Relationship Between Consciousness and Intelligence ** Both concepts are multifaceted and the relationship is not well understood
  • Understanding 4E Cognition The multidimensional nature of cognition
  • Beyond the Brain The multidimensional nature of cognition
  • Mirror Neurons The key to social cognition
  • Interbrain Synchrony When neural activities align between people during social interactions
  • Mirror Neurons and Interbrain Synchrony Enhancing Conversation Neuroscience
  • The Science and Benefits of Walking ** We are more creative when walking than sitting down
  • The Surprising Benefits of Doodling Doodling can help you stay focused, grasp new concepts and retain information

Chapter: Our Evolutionary Journey
In this chapter, Our Evolutionary Journey, I explore our evolutionary journey past, present, and future, from the Big Bang to the death of the Universe.
Posts
  • Introduction: Our Evolutionary Journey From the Big Bang to the universe's death
  • We Are Stardust We are literally part of the universe, not separate from it
  • Our Past Evolutionary Journey The journey from the Big Bang to the present day is a remarkable story
  • What Does Our Future Biological Evolution Hold? With advances in science and technology
  • Post-biological Evolution ** Evolution is not limited to biological evolution
  • Understanding Teleology Exploring the concept of teleology
  • The Meaning of Purpose Purpose has a nuanced meaning
  • Fundamental Questions About Human Life ** Whis is the purpose of life and humanity?
  • Why Does Human Life Exist? ** Why are we here?
  • What Is the Meaning of Life? ** What is the meaning of an individual human life?
  • What Is the Purpose of Humanity ** What is our collective purpose?
  • The Case for Longtermism How thinking long-term can shape a better future for humanity

Chapter: Appendix
In this chapter, Appendix, I list all the posts still searching for their place in the structure of this blook. Sooner or later, I will allocate most of them to a specific chapter.
Posts
  • Connection Is the Work Why relationships shape whether work happens at all
  • Three Disclosure Rules for Conversations Sunshine, Chatham House, and Vegas
  • The Etymology of Faith From belief without proof to lived connection
  • LLMS Tables: Intelligence and Conversation ###
  • Problems Only Exist in the Mind Anthony de Mello and the nature of awareness
  • Shared Meaning To understand each other's perspectives well enough to accept them
  • The Bully Lie How obvious falsehoods are used to assert control
  • Reid Hoffman Meets His AI Twin
  • Rethinking the Ladder of Inference in a Complex World From inference to influence
  • Let Them Be, Let Them See Leading by example in a conversational age
  • Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Bushel ** Why speaking up matters in conversation and leadership
  • Facilitating Dialogue on AI Policy UNESCO Knowledge Café Experience
  • The Complex Nature of Political Identity Beyond left and right
  • Sam Harris’s “Great Problem” and Conversational Leadership The vital connection
  • The Care in Curiosity ** Seeing it not as a tool, but a way of being with the world
  • The Surprising Etymology of Curiosity A history rooted in care
  • Peter Block, the Grand Inquisitor, and Leadership Leadership, freedom, and the burden of responsibility
  • The Fable of the Bees Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits
  • Conversation Is Action Transforming talk into tangible outcomes
  • Critical Thinking How to challenge your own assumptions
  • Writing with AI Isn’t Necessarily Cheating Why it’s a legitimate tool for professionals and creators
  • What Do We Mean by Wisdom Why wisdom resists definition and why it matters for how we think, decide, and act together
  • The Vector of Great Conversations A parallel between the vector theory of change and conversational leadership
  • Nurturing a Collaborative Culture Through Knowledge Cafés Using Knowledge Cafés to bridge silos and encourage open dialogue
  • Diplomacy ##
  • Crafting Writing That Drives Change Larry McEnerney's insights on good writing
  • Conversational Leadership Mindset Developing a Conversational Leadership mindset
  • Cognitive Surplus Untapping our human potential
  • Pay It Forward ** Now and for future generatios
  • Multipolar Traps or Moloch Traps Acting against our collective interests
  • Avoiding Modern-day Colonialism Colonialism: the dominance, control, and exploitation by one group over another
  • Three Questions for Meaningful Conversations Clarify focus, approach, and community-building in discussions
  • The Impact of Cognitive Biases in Conversation Cognitive biases can lead to flawed or irrational conclusions in a conversation
  • Relationships ** The way in which two or more people are connected
  • Spirituality A deep appreciation, respect, and love for the universe, the world, all life, and humanity
  • The Perils of Binary Bias ** Simplifying complex issues into two extreme and opposing categories
  • Circles of Engagement ** Aligning efforts with impact
  • Signal-to-noise Ratio The ratio of useful or true information to false or irrelevant data
  • What Would Make a Better World? Many things
  • Predicting the Future Is a Fools’ Errand ** But we can help create it
  • Personal Power ** We hold more potential today than ever to transform the world
  • Global Consciousness The capacity and disposition to understand and act upon global issues
  • The Power of Curiosity Driving human progress
  • The History of Conversational Leadership 1985 to today
  • We Are Not Enemies but Friends Finding understanding by conversing with those who think differently
  • Responsibility We need to take responsibility for the changes we wish to see in the world
  • Consensus ** The trouble with consenus
  • Zoom Virtual Knowledge Cafés **
  • Changing People ** The challenge of trying to change people
  • Reversing Cause and Effect The conversation creates the speakers
  • Be Open and Transparent ** Key traits of knowledge workers
  • Learning **
  • The Mind Is a Fire to Be Kindled Not a vessel to be filled
  • Learn to Listen and to Tell the Truth Do we listen, to confirm what we already think or do we listen in order to reply?
  • The Fourth Industrial Revolution A new era of connectedness and complexity
  • Evidence for a Collective Intelligence Factor in the Performance of Human Groups **
  • How to Design Powerful Questions Questions open the door to dialogue and discovery
  • The Mehrabian Myth It is not true that 93% of our communication is nonverbal
  • Positive Deviance in Action How everyday outliers spark lasting community change
  • The New Science of Building Great Teams ** 35% of variation in team performance is accounted for by the amount of face-to-face communication
  • Hawthorne Effect Myth Being watched affects your behavior
  • Is Noise Always Bad? ** Exploring the Effects of Ambient Noise on Creative Cognition
  • Conversational Post-project Reviews **
  • Everything Is Fragmented ** Fragmentation
  • Entrained Thinking Blinded to new ways of thinking by perspectives acquired through past experience
  • Managers Are Employees Too ** They can be hired, fired and appraised just like everyone else

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