There are three core questions underlying intelligence reports. Answering these questions creates concise, direct communication whilst retaining the relevance to the original observation and audience.
Category: Human
On Carving Stones and Anchoring Bracelets
A brief treatise on the thoughts behind the types of jewelry made in the ways I make them.
Past Tense – the Art of Being Dead
First Rule and Past Tense are basic mental frameworks to help us understand life via two sides of the same coin – mortality. On the one hand is a biological imperative to perpetuate life as we know it. The other holds recognition of needs beyond the self, when we are taken out of the equation. Together these two offer useful perspective on decision-making. Past Tense is a periodic exercise uncovering existing connections sans us.
Operational Resilience and the First Rule
The First Rule and Past Tense are basic mental frameworks to help us understand life via two sides of the same coin - mortality. On the one hand is a biological imperative to perpetuate life as we know it. The other holds recognition of needs beyond the self, when we are taken out of the equation. Together these two offer useful perspective on decision-making. First Rule is the default consideration for operational resilience.
Stories, Arcs, and What to Hang on Them
In relaying a resonant message for an intended audience, it helps to have a framework for concise conveyance. Using military constructs relaying how to build our message, we find structure to engage audiences with clarity. Used for sales, interviews, debate or relevant conversations, here are building blocks rarely discussed.
Changing Culture – Feedback Chains
In internal and external messaging, especially used in creating/ adjusting/ retaining culture, there are a few tools we can use. Trouble often is we are one voice in a babbling multitude, without enough signal to clear the noise threshold. For people to pay attention to the signal, it helps to have it broadcast from multiple places - either concurrently or complementarily. We term these feedback chains - that can be put to great use. -scl
Messaging, Hanlon’s Razor, and the 95% Rule
Communication breakdowns are not only common, but expected. Whilst there are many reasons, our internal doubt often attributes these to ill intent of the other party. This post explores two often more accurate considerations of human nature in lieu of malice - Hanlon's Razor and The 95% Rule.
On Abssandra
Absent Cassandra (Abssandra) is the outcome of knowing there is a question or issue we are required to solve - with no effective internal or external means or understanding to base our plans and programs on. The dangers we don't often admit are framed within the post.
On Leadership, Glue, and Kintsugi
The role of glue is to mend or join two otherwise separate surfaces. The practice of kintsugi celebrates said joining. Here we look at individuals/ organisations/ leadership and the roles these concepts play in personal and professional dynamics.
Continual Growth
Positive or negative, growth is constant provided effort, time and opportunity. Interpreting what/ how/ why for individuals/ groups/ functions requires a gardener's eye to flourish.
Maelstrom Advantage 